The Ultimate Cat Sitter Checklist
Of course, it can be so fun to travel with your cat and bring them everywhere. But there are limitations. If you are going to bring your cat with you, check out our Ultimate Cat Travel Checklist. But sometimes, you really just cannot bring your cat with you. In these times, it is good to have a trusted pet sitter to watch over them. We broke this cat sitter checklist into two parts – what you should leave for them and what you expect from them while you are gone.
What To Leave For Your Cat Sitter:
Your contact information/itinerary
Make sure they know where you will be and how to contact you. You can ask for daily updates, as well as many emergent information they need to tell you.
Leave something with your scent
A blanket or sweater that smells like you can offer comfort to your cat while you are gone. Leave it in an area your cat likes to be during the day.
Food/Litter
Make sure that you have enough food and litter for your cat for the duration of your trip. You do not want to run out of these things and rely on your pet sitter to go shopping for you.
Medications
If you cat is on any medications, make sure you have enough for them to last for your trip. Running out of medications is never a good thing, but especially not when you aren’t there.
Vet info / letter of authorization for treatment
Make sure your cat sitter has the name of your veterinarian, as well as their phone number, address, and office hours. This way, they can call to bring your cat in if needed. Also provide the nearest emergency vet information as well, in case something after hours occurs.
It is also a good idea to tell your vet before you leave the name of the pet sitter and give them authorization to bring your pet in. This way, if it happens, your vet knows you are aware of the situation. You can even leave the cat sitter with a blank check written out for veterinary care only in the memo.
Expectations For Your Cat Sitter
Meet and Greet
Ideally, you want the pet sitter to be someone your cats know. Cats generally do not like strangers much. If it is someone who they have had interactions with before, they will hopefully be less anxious when you are gone. If you do not have someone your cats know that can watch them, consider a meet and greet before. Have the pet sitter come over before you leave to meet the cats and interact with them. You can also go over instructions and where things are at this time.
In-house vs Check ins
If the pet sitter is someone you know well and the cats like, consider them staying in your house for the duration of your trip so your cats have someone there for company. This can help minimize stress IF your cats are okay with it. Some cats may not want other people but you in the house at all times. If this is the case, just have the sitter pop in a couple times a day for feedings, turning lights on/off, etc.
Stick To The Feeding Schedule
Leave a list of feeding instructions. What times you feed your cat and what food you feed. If you do anything special, like add water or supplements, make sure the sitter knows what and when to add these things.
If your cat has any food sensitivities or restrictions, be sure to list them somewhere so the pet sitter is aware and avoids them.
Cats also need fresh water daily. Have the sitter change the water at least once a day.
Giving Medications
If your cat is on medications, make sure the sitter knows what they are. Give them detailed instructions on WHEN to give the medications, HOW OFTEN to give them, HOW to give them (in food/treat?), and SIDE EFFECTS to look out for.
If your cat is on medications that cannot be missed, try calling a veterinary hospital to see if they offer boarding. You want to be confident that your cat is getting any medications they need.
Litterbox Cleaning
Cats are clean animals. If their litterbox is filled, they will go outside of the box. Make sure the cat sitter knows how often you clean the box (once a day, twice a day?) and that they continue that routine.
Leave them a list of things to look out for when it comes to the urine and feces. Have them call you if they notice anything like blood in the urine or diarrhea, as you may need them to take your cat for a vet visit.
Be sure to leave them disposable bags and tell them where to throw them out.
Minimize risk of escapes
If your cat sitter does not know your cats, do not have them walk them. It is too much of a risk if they are not sure how to put on the harness or hold the leash.
Make sure the sitter is careful when entering and exiting the door, to watch and make sure your cat doesn’t try to make a run for it. If your cat does get out, discuss with them how to handle the situation. Maybe a list of places your cat likes to visit near the house that they may go to.
Daily play time
Show them where the toys are and go over how your cats like to play. Do your cat like to play fetch, have interactive play time with toys, or play on their own with automatic toys? Make sure the cat sitter knows each cat’s style of play and accordingly tends to their needs.
When You Come Back
When you get back home, you want to make sure the pet sitter did a good job. Check to see if the litterbox is clean, if there is fresh water, and if the appropriate amount of food is gone to tell if they kept up on the schedule. You also want to pay attention to your cats. How do they seem? Are they anxious and stress or do they seem happy and relaxed? You can also ask your pet sitter how the cats were during the time. Did they hide from them or were they out and comfortable? If your cats were not comfortable, maybe try a different cat sitter next time to see if that helps. Some cats are sensitive to change and may never like anybody that comes to care of them other than you. You want to try to find the best fit possible. So be sure to set the sitter up for successful with a detailed and comprehensive cat sitter checklist for them!
