As a cat owner, I find it difficult to be away from home for more than a few days, knowing my cats are left alone for long hours. And when I go away, I keep thinking about my cats and wondering what they are doing, if they are bored, hungry or stressed.
Even when someone I trust comes to feed them, clean their litter box, and give them attention once a day, it’s still not the same as having someone stay at home with them all day and all night.
The cat sitter option is an option for people like me: someone that will actually take care of my cats when I am away.
What is a cat sitter, and what does a cat sitter do?
You’re probably wondering what cat sitting is, and what they do. So in a nutshell, cat sitting is a service that allows the “family” of the cat to be away from home while knowing that their cat will be well cared for in loving and professional hands.
As more and more people adopt cats, they also want quality and professional treatment for their cats. As much as we want to ask our neighbor to watch over our cat, or visit for food and water refills – it’s not enough. Our cats need company, not just food. It’s no wonder then that professional cat sitting services are becoming increasingly common.
How to find a cat sitter?
If you are away from home, you would want a trusted person to enter your house and spend time with your beloved cat.
You can find a trustworthy cat sitters in local Facebook groups, or websites like TrustedHousesitters. Be sure to check the house sitter’s profile and recommendations, or ask her/him to provide recommendations (and don’t be shy to ask for the recommenders’ phone numbers).
What should you look for in a professional cat sitter?
The skilled cat sitter will know how to help your cat through any emotional crisis it may experience while staying in the apartment without you. So when looking for a cat sitter, you should look for someone that ticks most of the following boxes:
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An avid cat lover. Yes, this might sound obvious, but even though many people would be happy to stay in your house rent-free, you want someone who treats your cat with kindness.
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A positive reputation. Among cat owners and cat-loving people.
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Excellent approach to cats. A good approach in general and for your cat in particular. Also, to make sure the cat sitter is the right fit for your furry friend, a pre-trip visit to check the chemistry is highly recommended.
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Availability. The cat sitter can have a day job, but he or she should be available to spend time with your cat and to assist in case a problem pops up. For example, if your cat needs to be taken to the vet, the cat sitter will need to be available to do it promptly.