When a resident cat enters the guest room, you feel that it has come to see you, but you cannot be certain of the cat’s purpose. Things like checking the room, making regular rounds, smelling luggage, having a quiet place to sleep, and being interested in other people can all overlap.
The cat chooses the visit
Even at inns that have guest-room visits, the rooms, hours, and plans available vary. Avoid calling the cat in from the hallway, holding the cat, or leaving the door open without permission, and follow the instructions for the day.
When a cat enters, do not block the entrance and watch it explore first. If you just walk through it, I won’t chase you.
Depending on the inn, there are two types of cats: those who visit the guest-room and those who spend time only in the common areas. If you see a photo of another cat in the room on social media, don’t expect the same response; instead, check the current operation when you check in.
If you are interested in people
Cats may sit close to you, put your cheeks together, or relax in the same room. However, entering the room itself is not treated as a “signal to be petted.”Start by lowering yourself and stopping so the cat can choose between making contact or exploring the room.
If you have someone with you, only one person should respond quietly, without surrounding everyone. If the cat moves to another person, we will not call it back.
If you are checking your room or luggage
New guests’ clothes and luggage have many scents. Even if the cat sniffs, do not open the bag or bring your hands close to your face.How to interact when smelling is the basis.
Pack away medications, food, leashes, cables, and accessories before the cat arrives. Please also close windows, bathrooms, and trash cans.
Looking for a place to rest?
Moving to the bed, chair, or window sill does not necessarily mean they are seeking affection. Once the cat lies down, keep the surroundings quiet and do not close the door to keep the cat in the guest room AND do not wake a sleeping cat.
Cats will lean their cheeks towards people and touch them briefly only if the inn allows contact. Stop after a few seconds and allow the cat to choose whether to continue.
You can also tell them if you do not want cats to enter
Some people do not wish to have guest-room visits due to allergies, sleeping arrangements, infants, fragile equipment, etc. Before making a reservation, please ask the inn about whether you can choose a room where cats cannot enter, what times the door can be closed, and the flow of traffic in common areas.
Even if you like cats, you don’t have to deal with them throughout your stay. You can rest assured that the inn respects both the person’s choice not to enter the room today and the cat’s choice not to come.
Things to check when entering the room
- Do not open hallway and outdoor doors/windows at the same time.
- Tell your companion that the cat is in the room
- Store food, drinks, medicine, and string-like items
- Understand whether you have entered the bathroom, storage, or under the bed.
- Check how to leave and contact information at night
When photographing guest-room visits, we do not place equipment near the entrance or in the cat’s path, and we do not use flash.
If you want to come out, it’s over
If you look at the door, return to the entrance, cry, or try to leave the room, follow the inn’s exit procedures. Do not open the door leading to the outdoors at your own discretion, and contact staff if necessary.
Do not go to bed, go out, or check out without leaving your child in the guest room. For detailed safety confirmation, please see How to stay at an inn where a cat comes to the guest room.
Summary
We do not decide the reason for the visit as “they liked us” or “we came to serve customers,” but we watch over the cat’s exploration and rest. By leaving the entrance open, storing small items, and creating an environment where you can exit when you want, the cat will be able to visit freely.
Reference materials
- AAFP/ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines
- 2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines
Note: The method of guest-room visits differs depending on the inn. Please give priority to the explanation at check-in.
