Cat inn buildings from a cat’s perspective | Corridors, stairs, verandas, and cat windows

For people, the hallway of an inn is the passageway leading to the guest room, the stairs are the facilities that connect the upper and lower floors, and the verandah is a place to admire the scenery. However, from the point of view of the cats who live there, inside the inn may be a way to travel, a high place to look out over the surroundings, a place to rest in the sun, or a retreat to get away from people.

This article is not intended to score a “cat-friendly inn” based only on the shape of the building. Based on the options cats need, we will organize ways to ensure that travelers do not block the flow of traffic and respect the cat’s whereabouts.

What is important from a cat’s perspective is the ability to choose

The AAFP and ISFM Guidelines for the Environmental Needs of Cats list the pillars of a safe space, segregated critical resources, opportunities for play and predatory behavior, predictable and positive human interaction, and an environment that respects the sense of smell.

Cats Protection also advises on the importance of elevated areas, hiding spots, quiet retreats, and self-directed routes for the cat.

When looking at a cat inn, I pay more attention to whether the cat can choose between one luxury cat tower or another.

• Go close to people, go away
• Walk on the floor, go up to high places
• Stay by a bright window, rest in a dark place
• When one route is crowded, use another route
• Return to the living area that is invisible to guests

The actual suitability cannot be determined without looking at the age, health condition, number of cats, and building management method. It is important for travelers not to make conclusions based on a short look.

Corridor: A passageway and a place of encounter.

Long hallways can provide a route for cats to connect multiple locations inside the inn. If you meet a cat in front of the guest room, you will be happy, but if people surround it, the passage will turn into a dead end.

If you find a cat in the hallway, move closer to the wall, leaving enough space for the cat to move forward or backward. Avoid sitting on the floor, unpacking your belongings, and taking photos ahead of time. Even in hotels where cats enter the guest room, it is not always okay to lead a cat in the hallway to your room.

A wagon, vacuum cleaner, open linen storage, etc. are the inn’s business facilities. Do not follow the cat into the staff area; leave the opening and closing of the door to the inn staff.

Stairs: Create height differences and branches

In addition to moving up and down, stairs can also be a place to view things from the landing. Being able to check the surroundings from a high position can give the cat peace of mind.

On the other hand, just because there are stairs does not make the building suitable for cats. This can be a burden on older cats, cats with joint problems, and cats with impaired eyesight. The ease of slipping, steps, lighting, and the width of the cat to be able to pass other cats also play a role.

Guests should not continue to take pictures of cats on the stairs, but should move towards the railing or wall to clear a path for them. Watch your step during dark hours and do not step over the cat or chase it away with your luggage. Avoid reaching into hiding places under stairs and landings.

Verandah and window: Observation seat to look outside

A verandah or window can be a place to observe sunlight, outside sounds, and the movement of birds and people. Depending on the height and depth of the window, it can also provide a place for the cat to rest, away from human traffic.

However, just because there is a cat by the window does not mean you should open the windows or screens. Locks, screen doors, and access areas are managed by the inn to prevent escape. It is dangerous to move the curtains, knock on the glass from outside, or open the window where the cat is in order to take pictures.

The verandah is a place where people also pass by. If the cat is sleeping, do not sit next to him, but leave him with a side where he can escape. If it seems like it’s moving from the sun to the shade, clear the path.

Small cat window: An entrance chosen by cats, not by people

The small cat window in the door allows cats to move around without having to be opened by people. At Shoraku Ryokan in Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, some guest rooms have small windows for cats. The feature is that you can wait for the cat to visit you.

The important thing is that the small window is not a “device to attract cats into the guest room.” Eligible guest rooms and plans may be limited, and it is up to the cat whether the cat will pass or not. Avoid inserting hands or toys into the hole, blocking it, or trying to stop the cat from coming out.

It is not possible to evaluate all accommodations based solely on the presence or absence of small cat windows. For the safety of cats, there is a reason why lodgings have separate areas for guests and living areas.

Guest room door: the boundary between encounters and escape prevention

At inns that allow cat visits, how the door is handled is directly linked to the cat’s safety. Do not lock the cat in after it enters. Conversely, opening the door leading to the entrance or emergency exit with the intention of letting the cat out is also dangerous.

Please check the following upon check-in.

• Can cats enter the guest room?
• Do you leave the door open when the cat enters?
• Signs that the cat wants to come out and how to contact the staff
• Guest rooms and times when cats are not allowed
• Escape prevention rules for doors leading outside the building

The basic way to spend time at an inn where a cat comes to the guest room is also explained in How to spend time at an inn where a cat comes to the guest room.

Do not create “dead ends” in inns with multiple cats.

In accommodations where multiple cats live, the relationships between the cats are not uniform, even if they use the same hallways and stairs. If one cat stays in a hallway or doorway, it may be difficult for another cat to pass through.

If guests gather the cats together and form a circle, show them treats in a small space, or hold one cat and bring it close to another cat, the normal distance will be disrupted. If the cats stare at each other and do not move, lower their ears, or retreat in a low position, report this to the staff without intervening.

Key points to check for tension between cats are summarized in How to check the distance between cats in a multi-cat house.

Checkpoints when looking at buildings

Summary

If you look at the inn building from a cat’s perspective, you will see the hallway as a route for movement, the stairs as a height difference, the verandah and window as observation seats, and the small cat window as the boundary where the cat chooses to go in and out.

However, you cannot judge a cat’s comfort level just by looking at it. What guests can do is to protect the cat’s freedom to both approach and leave, and to not block passageways or shelter areas. If the cat is no longer visible, assume that it has chosen to rest somewhere in the building.

Reference materials

• AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines (Cat Friendly Homes)
• Setting Up the Environment for Success (Cat Friendly Homes)
• Cats and children: living together (Cats Protection)
• Cats and building works (Cats Protection)
• Why is my cat hiding? (Cats Protection)

Note: This article does not allow guests to evaluate the safety of the building or the environment in which cats are kept based solely on its appearance. If you have any concerns, please quietly check with the inn staff.