Leaving your cat in someone else’s care can feel daunting, even when you’ve chosen a trusted, professional cat sitter. After all, no one knows your feline friend quite like you do. But the key to a smooth, stress-free experience lies in clear communication.
When you share the right information about your cat’s daily routine, preferences, and health, you’re setting your sitter up for success and ensuring your cat stays happy, safe, and comfortable while you’re away.
In this blog, we’ll go through everything you should tell your cat sitter, from feeding habits to emergency contacts, so you can relax knowing your furry friend is in good hands.
1. Feeding Schedule and Dietary Needs
Food is one of the most important parts of your cat’s routine, and consistency is key. Cats are creatures of habit, and even small changes to their mealtimes can cause stress or tummy troubles.
Be sure to provide:
- Feeding times: Note exact times your cat eats, especially if you free-feed or give smaller portions throughout the day.
- Food type and portions: Specify the brand, flavour, and portion size. If you mix wet and dry food, note the ratio.
- Treats: Include your cat’s favourite treats and how often they’re allowed.
- Storage instructions: Tell your sitter where food is kept and how to prepare it.
- Dietary restrictions: Mention any allergies or foods your cat must avoid.
Tip: Leave everything clearly labelled and, if possible, pre-portion meals in containers it makes things easy and ensures your sitter sticks to your cat’s routine exactly.
2. Litter Box Habits
It might not be the most glamorous topic, but litter box details matter especially when it comes to monitoring your cat’s health.
Include:
- Location of the litter box(es) and where to dispose of waste.
- Type of litter used and how often it’s changed.
- Cleaning routine: Daily scooping? Full clean once a week? Make it clear.
- Typical habits: How often your cat uses the box, or if they’re particular about cleanliness.
- Warning signs: If your cat ever avoids the litter box due to stress or health issues, tell your sitter what to look for.
A sitter who understands your cat’s litter habits will be more likely to spot early signs of trouble like constipation, urinary issues, or stress.
3. Playtime and Personality
No two cats are the same. Some adore human company and chase toys endlessly, while others prefer quiet observation from the windowsill. Sharing your cat’s unique personality helps your sitter build trust and connection faster.
Tell your sitter:
- Favourite toys and games: Wand toys, balls, and laser pointers. Every cat has a preference.
- Affection level: Does your cat enjoy cuddles or prefer gentle distance?
- Safe spaces: Where does your cat go to nap or hide when they need alone time?
- Dislikes: Loud noises, vacuum cleaners, strangers, note anything that might stress them.
A sitter who understands your cat’s comfort zone can give the perfect balance of affection and respect, helping your pet feel secure even while you’re away.
4. Health and Medical Information
If your cat has any health conditions or takes medication, this is one area where precision matters most. Even healthy cats benefit from having basic medical information on file.
Be sure to include:
- Veterinarian contact details: name, clinic, and phone number.
- Emergency contact: a nearby friend, neighbour, or family member who can help if needed.
- Health conditions: anything from allergies to chronic illnesses like diabetes or arthritis.
- Medication schedule: include dosage, timing, and instructions for administering it.
- Vaccination and microchip info: just in case of an emergency.
Pro tip: Leave medications clearly labelled in one spot and show your sitter how to administer them during your meet-and-greet.
5. Behavioural Notes and Quirks
Cats are wonderfully complex and sometimes a bit unpredictable! Sharing behaviour notes can make your sitter’s job much smoother and your cat’s experience much calmer.
Let your sitter know:
- Triggers or fears: Does your cat hide during storms or hiss at delivery drivers?
- Escape tendencies: If your cat is curious about doors or windows, make sure your sitter knows to be extra cautious.
- Interaction rules: Can your cat be picked up, or do they dislike being held?
- House rules: Are cats allowed on countertops or furniture? Make expectations clear.
The more your sitter understands your cat’s quirks, the better they can tailor their care and avoid unnecessary stress for both cat and sitter.
6. Home and Safety Details
While your sitter’s main focus is your cat, they’ll also be caring for your home. Provide a simple list to make things easy:
- Alarm system instructions and codes (if applicable).
- Key locations and locking procedures.
- Emergency contacts: neighbours or friends who can help.
- Heating, lighting, and blinds preferences to keep your home comfortable.
- Cleaning supplies for quick tidy-ups if needed.
Remember, a professional sitter respects your home’s privacy but clear guidance ensures everything runs smoothly and securely.
7. Communication Preferences
You deserve peace of mind while you’re away. Decide how often you’d like updates and in what format:
- Daily messages or photos of your cat’s activities.
- Short summaries after each visit.
- Emergency protocol: How should your sitter reach you if something urgent arises?
When expectations are clear, you can relax knowing your sitter will keep you informed without unnecessary worry.
8. The Power of Preparation
The more detail you provide, the more confident your sitter will feel, and that confidence translates directly into better care for your cat. It also builds trust. When sitters have all the right information, they can act quickly, follow routines accurately, and give your cat the consistency they crave.
Before you leave, consider creating a cat care sheet that includes everything above. Print it out or share it digitally with your sitter. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in your cat’s comfort and your peace of mind.
Conclusion
Preparing your cat sitter with detailed, accurate information is one of the kindest things you can do for both your cat and yourself. When you take the time to outline routines, health details, and preferences, you’re not just providing instructions; you’re giving your sitter the insight they need to care for your cat as lovingly as you do.
At Chatty Cats Care, we believe great cat sitting goes beyond feeding and cleaning; it’s about understanding each cat’s personality, habits, and well-being. When you communicate openly and share your cat’s routine, we can offer the kind of care that keeps your furry friend happy, healthy, and stress-free while you’re away.
So before your next trip, spend a few minutes creating that perfect care checklist and leave home knowing your cat’s routine, health, and happiness are in safe, caring hands.
1. Why is it important to share my cat’s daily routine with a sitter?
Cats are creatures of habit; they thrive on consistency. When your sitter follows your cat’s usual feeding times, play schedule, and sleeping patterns, it helps reduce stress and keeps your cat feeling safe and secure while you’re away.
2. What health details should I give to my cat sitter?
Always share your cat’s vet information, any medical conditions, medications, allergies, and past illnesses. Even if your cat is healthy, having this information ready ensures your sitter can respond quickly if anything unexpected happens.
3. Should I tell my cat sitter about behavioural quirks or fears?
Absolutely. If your cat hides from strangers, dislikes being picked up, or gets anxious around loud noises, your sitter needs to know. The more they understand your cat’s personality, the better care and comfort they can provide.
4. How can I make sure my sitter follows feeding instructions correctly?
It helps to leave clear, written feeding notes or even pre-portion meals in labelled containers. Mention specific brands, flavours, and portion sizes, and show your sitter how to prepare everything during your meet-and-greet.
