Traveling? A pet sitter can be a great option for both you and your cat, as your pet can stay in the comfort of their own home. Here are essential tips to keep in mind before hiring a pet sitter for your cat. 

1. Schedule a meet and greet 

2. Prepare your home

3. Watch for signs of stress or illness

4. Do a trial run

5. Leave familiar items

6. Share emergency info 

   
   

YOUR CAT SITTER CHECKLIST

1. Schedule a meet and greet with your cat sitter

Kitty, meet sitter. By introducing your cat to the pet sitter ahead of time, your cat won’t be too thrown off by their presence when they show up to care for them. Your cat may recall the pet sitter’s scent and sound of voice later, making the transition smoother. This will also give you an opportunity to see how they interact. 

Important things to go over with your cat sitter:

1. Provide times your cat typically wakes up, when you usually clean the litterbox, medications that need to be given, and nighttime routines your cat may be used to.

2. Cats are legendary for their pickiness when it comes to eating, be sure the sitter knows your cat’s eating nuances, like food location as well as times and frequency of feedings. Discuss any food allergies or other allergies your pet may have. A pet sitter should know which foods are toxic to cats. 

3. If your cat is a “hider” note your cat’s favorite hiding places and any triggers (storms, loud noises, etc.) that would make your pet seek those out.

4. Note how frequently you want the litterbox cleaned and where to dispose of the waste.

5. Go over any areas of your home off limits to your cat.

6. Communicate needs and expectations in detail with your sitter. If your sitter will be making daily visits, specify how often and how long each visit should be, even if your cat hides the entire time.

7. Ask your sitter to send you regular/daily text and photo updates of your pet along with any questions or concerns. Regular communication will help everyone feel more at ease.

   
   

   

   Being comfortable with a cat sitter requires a meet-and-greet. See all of our cat sitting tips, and be sure to leave contact information for VEG for your sitter in case of emergency.

2. Prepare your home for the cat sitter

Introduce your cat to your pet sitter (best you can), even if your cat hides. A quick walkthrough will help your sitter feel more confident caring for your pet. Your sitter needs to know where you keep essentials like:

• Cat food

• Water bowls

• Cat treats

• Toys

This may seem like a no-brainer, but once you and the sitter get to chatting, need-to-know things like these can be overlooked. 

3. Watch for signs of illness or stress in your cat

Depending on how people-friendly your cat is, he or she may go into hiding when the pet sitter shows up. Eventually, your cat should decide that being fed is more important and come out from under the bed! But let the sitter know to watch for signs of an emergency. Be sure to tell them where the nearest VEG emergency vet hospital is located. Some signs that indicate an emergency in cats are: 

• Excessive grooming

• Loss of appetite or lack of water intake

• Urinating or defecating outside the litter box

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Lethargy 

• Respiratory problems

4. Do a trial run with your cat sitter

A trial run can happen during their introductory meeting. Allow about 30 minutes for the trial run. That should give you enough time to see how your cat responds, and lets your kitty pick up on the sitter’s scent. Let the sitter care for your cat a bit—giving treats and using positive praise so your pet associates them with good experiences.

Let your cat sitter feed and spend some time with your cat before you go away. This helps builds trust and familiarity between the cat and the sitter.

5. Leave familiar items for your cat

Whether your pet stays at your home or the sitter’s, leave comforting items like these will help your cat feel secure:

• Favorite bed and blanket

• A shirt of yours for you cat to snuggle

• Their favorite cat toys

  
  

You’ll also want to be sure to have an ample stock of supplies in case your return is delayed. Have extra food, treats, cat litter, wipes, water (in case of storms) and a portable carrier available for your sitter. Ensure your cat’s collars, harnesses, leashes and carriers are in good shape and that any ID tags/ licenses are attached to collars securely. 

6. Share emergency information

Organize kitty’s info. Whether a digital or physical folder, have all your and your pet’s information easily at hand for your sitter. Info folder should include: 

• Cat’s info (name, age, breed) with pictures from different angles, not just a facial profile. Call attention to special markings, etc.

• Your cat’s primary care vet and pet pharmacy. Remember to share where the nearest VEG ER for Pets is located in case of emergency illness or injury. 

• A copy of recent health records, vaccinations, and note any medical conditions and medications. Include instructions on timing/frequency and how to administer meds to your cat.

• If your cat has a tag or is microchipped, note your cat’s license number and microchip number/contact info.

Share your information with your cat sitter, too

· Include your personal contact info and you might want to provide a rough itinerary in case you’ll be offline for periods of time during your trip.

 • For longer trips away from home, provide your sitter with a nearby backup emergency contact. 

· Clearly note when you are leaving and when you are returning (8 am or 8 pm) to avoid confusion.

VEG ER FOR PETS IS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY FOR CAT EMERGENCIES

Imagine, going away worry-free because your sitter was prepped and ready to care for you cat. Using a checklist like this will help give you and your cat sitter peace of mind.

It’s a comfort to you and your sitter to know that VEG emergency vet hospitals are open 24/7 for any emergency that may arise while you’re gone. Be sure to share your nearest VEG location with your sitter!