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How do we become good cat sitters? My recent gig for a neighbor’s three elderly cats has led me to consider these important points.
The cats stay in their home. I would have thought this was a given, until a lot of people asked me how the guest cats got along with my cats.
So, for the record: keep the cats in their home. Even if the cat sitter has no cats of their own, moving the cats is adding a huge stress at a time they are already dealing with the inexplicable disappearance of Their People. Putting the cats somewhere else tells them they have been abandoned.
If the cats stay in their home, they have the comfort of spaces and routines they have learned to call their own. And it means the hope of Their People coming back stays alive; if the cats go somewhere else, how can Their People find them again?
Sometimes it is unavoidable, usually because the cat has a medical condition others could not handle. But most of the time, the sitter stopping by the cat’s place once or twice a day is the best solution.
Be introduced to the cats. If the sitter is not already known to the cats, they need to come over beforehand and get briefed on the location of all the cat’s resources. Let the cats see the new person studying the food and litter locations. Tell them we have approved this person.
This will create comforting “bridges” in the cat’s mind. Seeing Their People and the cat sitter together, going over the things they will do during the travel time, reassures the cat that life will return to normal at some point.
This lets the cat sitter know where everything is. Not just the food and litter box, but also the scoop, trash bags, dishes, toys, and whatever else we might need to take care of the cats. Leave the number for the veterinarian and the place where the cat’s people can be called, just in case.
Be a cheerful caretaker. The cats will be glad to see us, especially when we serve food, but we also offer a point of view. If we are calm and confident, the cats will feel better about their circumstances.
We aren’t distressed; this helps them feel less distressed.
As a catsitter, we must be aware of the cat’s anxiety, and how we can best discharge it. Younger cats will appreciate some play to burn off their energy.
But older cats might not need it. If we get them all wound up, and then leave them, they can sit and brood, not knowing where to put their anxiety. This will add to their worry about Their People’s return. Gentle petting and reassuring words are more appropriate.
If we are not housesitting too, we will have to leave the cats. Leaving them calm is a better bet.
Signal the return of Their People. As our catsitting gig approaches its end, we can get excited about the resumption of the cat’s normal life. Talk up Their People coming back, using their names. Pay attention to the door where Their People will make their entrance.
Leave a note about how the cats were acting. This will let the Cat’s People know who needs special attention, and what kind.
When we visit our friends after their return, we will visit the cats, too. This will help set us up for next time.
It’s never easy for the cats to deal with the, to them, inexplicable disappearance of Their People. Managing the situation so they know what to expect will make the separation easier on everyone.
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Thanks for the article. I didn’t know most of these things. I’m planning to get a cat soon, and these ideas will help me if I have to watch anyone else’s pet, or let them watch mine.
I am currently cat sitting for my friend. I vist the house once or twice a day. When I first get to the house it starts purring but after about 5-10 minutes it meows and hisses at me.
Thxs for the article.
I work in cat rescue and have a large number of clients that I cat sit for. I have some issues that I run into frequently and should be considered when accepting a cat sitting job and quoting a price for your time. If you are doing this often you should be paid for your time.
1.Always visit the home first and go through their routine and look at the cleanliness of the home or problems. Look and ask if their are problems like cat urinating on counters or marking that will consume your time and need to be cleaned. You will need cleaning products, paper towels, broom/dustpan, garbage bags, enough food and litter etc. to be provided and easily accessible. You should be provided all of these things without question.
I often run into issues like this and make suggestions to the owner on how to avoid urination problems and look for issues that may be causing this behavior.
2. Ask to see any hiding places/sleeping places that the cat usually goes to and make sure their are no
areas that a cat could get inside like holes in the walls, access to outside through a damaged window screen or cluttered storage areas impossible to find a cat in.
I never let a cat out even if it is an outside/inside cat. Not worth the worry if something happens.
3. Ask if there is noise in the house normally like a tv or radio. If so, leaving a radio on low helps the cat to maintain its normal atmosphere. Sudden silence and isolation is stressful for some cats. Leave a light on at night in a room.
4. And let them know you are here for the cat not as a cleaning lady that means don’t leave a sink full of dirty dishes or a pile of garbage for you to deal with as you are here for the cats. You need to wash out cat dishes and water bowls not clean up after the humans. I know that sounds ridiculous but it happens a lot to me and I walk in to find a mess waiting for me that I have to deal . You want to leave their house in a decent manner and need to be paid for extra time if you are asked to water plants, bring in mail etc. Your time is for the cats and giving them attention so be paid accordingly.
5. Observe the cats overall health. Pet them and check their ears, claws etc for any overgrown claws or ear infections, eye infections etc. Stroke the cat and feel over his body. Look at the litter box for any signs of blood, tape worms etc . Sometimes things are overlooked and an extra set of eyes may catch a problem.
6. Ask for all emergency numbers, vet address and numbers and make sure they are willing to pay the bill if something happens. They would need to call the vet and approve the payment so you are not put in an impossible situation.
What excellent tips! Thank you.
Loved your post! So true
I left my kitten with 3 friends while I was away (they stayed at my place) and even though he was in the house he is used to, he was still meowing at night, missing me like crazy. Here’s my cat-sitting story & a kitten user manual I put together for my cat-sitting friends: http://apurrfectcat.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/cat-sitting/