Are cats allowed in any skilled nursing care or rehab facilities?

I think it would be up to the individual facility, but overall I think the answer would be no. You can try calling your veterinarian, explaining the situation and they may let you board them there or have an employee that could help out.

they Normally would not be allowed to live in the snf for the same reasons they aren’t in a hospital.

My Mils cat gave her cat scratch fever. She was in the icu and then acute care for a couple of weeks, delaying her chemo.

Said same cat causes me cherry eye, feeling of throat closure when I’m in their house for more than an hour. It’s said about 40 percent of Americans have such allergies.

Pregant women aren’t supposed to be in contact with cat litter because of toxo, and litter boxes get spilled. So…the snf admin won’t want to vet their workers for who is allergic or pregant.

Plus, cats can get out pretty easily. They may theoretically play with things, such as medical tubing.

Look up cat boarding kennels, which will provide socialization for them. A friend might bring the cats to an outdoor atrium in carriers for visitation.

There are a few (very few) rehab places that have resident cats. The cats belong to the facility. Bringing your own cat does not sound feasible at all and you would still have to care for it.

When I was in rehab for 3 weeks, a local boarding kennel I had used previously agreed to take my cat for boarding. I talked to them daily on the phone while in rehab. A friend took the cat to my home a couple of days before my discharge, visited him 2X daily, fed him, played with him and cleaned his litter box. I wouldn't ask anyone to do this for long, but he was waiting there for me when I was discharged. We had a happy reunion (after he scolded me a bit... Meow, meow, where have you been?!)

Cat and dog sitting services are all over in my area.

When we go away, a neighbor teenage comes in once a day to feed my cat, play and clean the litters.

Maybe you can find a Boy/Girl Scout troop, or a local church teen group willing to do this.

I had a couple of high end places say people were allowed to bring their own pet but this is more long term suites. Guess money can get you anything... but for just 2 weeks, I’d get a cat sitter to come in. The cats would most likely be happier in their own environment. Cats survive fairly easily so even once a day could be alright if it’s a once off.

That would be gross 🤮… some of us have cat phobia … and can’t be anywhere near … and in general
they’re allergies asthma etc ….
put them in cat kennel… instead of
infringing them on others …

No. And who is going to change the litter and care for them while you are recovering? The nursing staff? I think they have ENOUGH to do !

No, for all the reasons people have already posted. I was raised with cats and they are solitary, nocturnal animals that are pretty low-maintenance. All your friends have to do is refresh their food and scoop the litter box once a day or two. Unless they don't live near you, this shouldn't be very taxing. Or, the logical choice would be a trusted neighbor who is in close proximity. If you belong to a church or faith organization, seek volunteers there. Make sure your sensitive personal information is locked away before you let anyone come into your home.

Do not try to take them to temporary rehab. In addition to your friends, are there any responsible young teenagers in your neighborhood who might be delighted to earn a few dollars doing cat duty? Your vats would be happiest in your home, but If friends or neighbors cannot do enough cat care, look for a local boarding facility.

Try next door app. There is always people on there who cat/dog sit. Get a cam set up so you know when they are there and what they are doing. They won't take cats in rehab. They are busy with patients. Ask your vet if they board, or local pet shops. It is better for rhe cats to be at home tho. Less traumatizing than being in a small cage for 2 weeks. Good luck.

Hi Jimboflyguy,

Fellow cat lover here (I have 3 rescues), it’s unlikely that health regulations would allow any animals in a skilled nursing facility. From a cat’s perspective, it would be upsetting to them to be in a strange environment where you, their LO, aren’t able to attend to them in your normal manner.

Despite their reputation of being solitary and nocturnal, cats are socially complex creatures who interact in their own unique way with each other and their trusted humans. You’ll need to focus all your energy on you and getting well. Better for all involved if you can make arrangements to keep them home.

The last time we traveled, we hired a local pet sitter to come in 2x day to care for our kitty-boys. She was very reasonable, approx $25 a day. She also watered plants and picked up mail. We’ve also boarded at a feline kennel, but much more stressful (and expensive) to get everything together, crate them, transport, pick up, etc.

Best wishes for your speedy recovery!

HI flyguy, Fellow cat parent. Sadly, the answer is likely no. Do you absolutely need to go to SNF rehab? Could you do your rehab with home health care (HHC) physical therapy coming to your home daily? A once or twice weekly nurse visit? They can also do HHC nursing services like IV antibiotics if its an uncomplicated regimen, like once a day. If you must do 2 weeks in SNF rehab, other suggestions have been offered. HHC for skilled services like PT and nurse visits are covered by insurance, just needs arranged by the case manager/discharge planner at the hospital. You could ask if the treating doctor thought this would meet your needs. I have a good pet sitter person, in neighborhood, who feeds, socializes with them, make sure their radio is turned on, and scoops 1-2 times daily for $25/day. He also gets in mail, waters plants. Checks the house. It gives me much peace of mind that they are OK and in their own environment when I am away. Could you offer to pay one of the neighbors to entice them to continue tending? I once called the cat's vet office to see if any of the vet techs was interested in cat sitting for a few weeks. The office was near my house so they would be close by. One tech did sitting for me for a while. Good luck.

I will chime in NO your cats would not be allowed in Rehab nor are they allowed in Skilled Nursing. Even Assisted livings won't allow them if the resident cannot care for them.

I have had cats and what I like about them is they are easy care. You can buy water and food towers. Cats usually do not overeat. If they share a litter box, get another one. Then ur friends don't need to check on them every day.

No, not that I have ever heard of . Some ALF will allow pets, both cats and dogs, but generally not Skilled Nursing or Rehab. Ask around with friends for several weeks of care. Last resort call your vet and find out where you can board the kitties. Good luck. It can be done. I have a friend who had a husky and two cats when she had to go for hip surgery and a month of rehab. She went through her vet. It sure does complicate things. Best to you. You are one of the lucky to survive sepsis and am very happy for you.

No

I had a friend with your same problem and, since cats are pretty independent, she had a good friend check into her apartment when she could (sometimes 2 X a week, sometimes 3X) to refill the food and water bowls and clean the litter. When she couldn't do all of that, at least she put out extra water and food for a whole week (I suppose you could do it for two weeks) (but expect some damage and smells when you get home).

jimboflyguy: No doubt the answer is going to be "No." Not the same thing, but recently my RN friend was hospitalized with shingles and she was allowed to have her beloved pup with her. Tbh, I don't know how she pulled that off.

assisted living will usually allow a pet if it is cared for by the owner or the owner makes arrangements for the care. However, skilled nursing and rehab usually do not allow pets. Please check with your local vet and shelters to find somebody to foster your pets while you mend.

Dear Jim,

I do hope you find someone to watch your cats while you are recuperating; I know how important your cats are to you.

I wish I could help with your cats; what area or location are you at?

Wishing you a speedy recovery as a cat person myself I would try my hardest to keep them in their own surroundings if possible and have someone check on them on a daily basis a cat sitter going in once a day would not be too expensive or a friendly neighbour may be willing to help you don’t say what area you are in as I’m sure there would be a lot of people willing to help good luck

Perhaps call your local SPCA and ask if they have foster parents on a list who might be helpful?

www.care.com offers pet sitters


https://www.care.com/app/enrollment/seeker/pc

When my son was 3 yrs old he had been into the ER a few times for respiratory infections. After much testing it turned out he had asthma and was also allergic to our 2 cats, which triggered his asthma attacks. I learned that cat dander is so fine that it can reside in carpeting and the foam below and even cracks in hard floors for a very long time, and no amount of vacuuming gets rid of it. We had to pull up and replace all our carpeting and padding in our house.

It is unconsciounable to bring pets who release dander and can trigger asthma in people into places where patients with all types of health issues are trying to convalesce. Pets sometimes have accidents in those places as well. I think it's also a very bad idea to have them on airplanes and hotels as well since no amount of cleaning can get all the dander out once it's in there.

I had a friend who boarded my cat in her home for six months while I was away. I paid her to do it. It was a good situation for all.