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What to ask before booking a cat sitter
When looking for a reliable cat sitter, start by checking reviews. These can give you valuable insight into the sitter’s trustworthiness, experience, and how they interact with pets.
When you found a cat sitter that you think you will like, get in touch with them and be sure to ask about the following things:
- What kind of experience they have
- What’s included in their service (e.g. small household chores like watering plants)
- Whether they’re willing to meet you and your cat beforehand
- How much they know about cat illnesses and first aid
One of the most important things to ask about is emergency preparedness. Can they recognize signs of illness or injury? Do they have access to a car to get your cat to a vet at any time of day if needed?
What services can I expect from a cat sitter?
Cat sitting services can vary widely depending on the sitter. Some might stop by once a day for a quick 15-minute visit to feed your cat and check the litter box. Others might stay overnight or even offer live-in care while you’re away.
When deciding on which services you exactly want or need, think about your cat’s personality and needs. Some felines are fine with minimal interaction, while others need more companionship. Be sure to communicate your expectations clearly so your sitter can provide the right level of care.
Basic tasks you can expect from a cat sitter
At a minimum, a cat sitter should feed your cat, provide fresh water, and clean the food and water bowls (or fountain) regularly. Make sure to agree in advance on how often your cat should be fed and at what times. If your cat is allowed treats, the sitter can offer some to be sure your feline friend is happy and content!
Another key responsibility is keeping the litter box clean. The sitter should scoop it daily and top it up with fresh litter as needed.
If your cat is sociable, you can also ask the cat sitter to spend a bit of time playing with them. This helps keep your cat engaged and reduces stress.
And of course, don’t forget to ask for daily photo updates! Nothing beats a cute picture of your feline friend while you’re on the go!
Some extra responsibilities your cat sitter might take on
Depending on your cat’s needs, you may want your sitter to do a bit more than the basics. For example, regular brushing, especially for longhaired cats, can help keep their coat healthy and reduce shedding. If grooming is part of your cat’s routine, be sure to let the sitter know.
For particularly social cats, you might even ask the sitter to spend extra time in the evenings – cuddling, playing, or just watching TV together. That extra companionship can make a big difference.
If your cat requires daily medication, it’s essential to choose a sitter who is comfortable administering it. Ideally, they should have prior experience, as giving meds to a cat can take patience and gentle persuasion. Always provide clear instructions and do a demonstration if possible.
Light household tasks the cat sitter might be willing to do
Some cat sitters are happy to take on small, non-cat-related tasks while you’re away. These might include watering plants, emptying the mailbox, taking out the bins, or occasionally opening and closing the curtains to make the home look lived-in and deter burglars.
Tips before you leave home
Before you leave your feline friend behind, make sure you have all the necessary supplies at home so the cat sitter won’t need to run out for food or litter. To make things easier, you can provide the cat sitter a checklist with all the tasks they should take care of, along with a quick overview of where to find everything they might need to look after your cat.
