Hiring a Pet Sitter is Good for Your Cat - and You!

Now that the holidays are over, many people may be planning a winter getaway to warmer climates and white sandy beaches to combat the winter blues. But what about your furry family members that will not be traveling with you? The belief that cats can spend several days (or longer!) safely by themselves is a misconception. Hiring a pet sitter is a safe alternative that is beneficial for both your cat and you.

Benefits of Using a Pet Sitter

There are benefits to both you and your cat when using a sitter. Our pets are our family, and making sure they’re comfortable in our absence makes us more relaxed.

Benefits for Your Cat

It's definitely better for your cat to be visited by a sitter as opposed to being left alone or boarded. Many benefits include: 

• Since cats are creatures of habit and routine, they feel more relaxed in their own environment.
• They will receive personalized care which includes play time with their favorite toys.
• The distress of going to an unfamiliar environment is eliminated.
• They are not confined to a cage or a kennel.
• They will not be exposed to illnesses.
• Their meals are served in their usual places in their favorite dishes.
• There is minimal disruption to their daily routines.
• They have continued access to their favorite napping spots and windows to watch the outside world. 

Benefits for You

There are also perks for you when you use a sitter: Just some of them are:

• Peace of mind! 
• All the necessary items your cat will need are right at home. You don’t have to worry about forgetting something. 
• Having someone come into your house offers an added level of security. The mail can be brought in, lights can be rotated to give the appearance that someone is at home, and plants can be watered.
• You can be assured that your cat’s medical needs (special diet, medications, etc.) are carried out appropriately. 
• You'll be sure to receive regular updates. 
• Your sitter will have a back up in case of emergencies. 
• Less guilt! (I feel so much better knowing that Lola and Lexy can remain in our home with all of their favorite things when I’m away.) 

Where Do You Find a Pet Sitter? 

I adopted Lola from Leslie Kaufman, who rescued her from the city shelter. Leslie just happens to be the owner of the best cat sitting business in New York City, On All Fours Cat Sitting. Before I met Leslie I boarded Lexy a few times, but it was not ideal for either of us. I worried about her constantly, and Lexy gets very stressed when she’s not in her familiar environment. After one boarding visit I questioned whether or not she was fed all of her food, which greatly upset me. Needless to say, Leslie was a godsend to all of us. 

I realize not everyone has a responsible pet sitter just fall into their laps. Finding a sitter you can trust to take good care of your cat can be trying and isn’t something anyone should take lightly. So where do you find a responsible and professional sitter? 

• Ask your vet: A reputable pet sitter will have a support network. (I found my vet through Leslie.) A sitter who has a professional relationship with your vet offers peace of mind should your cat have a medical emergency. 
• Word of mouth: Ask other pet parents who their sitter is. A good recommendation from someone you trust can give you the confidence to hire the same sitter. 
• Use national professional pet sitting organizations: Pet Sitters International and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters both have pet sitter locators. PSI has a “Pet Sitter of the Year” award that recognizes excellence in the industry. 

Why You Should Use a Professional Pet Sitter

It may be very tempting to have the kid next door come over and check on your cats while you’re away. Or maybe the nice, elderly woman down the street could use a few extra dollars and you think you could help each other out. The benefits of using a professional sitter outweigh having a friend or neighbor do the job. Here’s why: 

• Professional sitters have made an investment in their business and their clients. Their priority is you and your pets.
• They have experience in administering medications.
• They have backups in case of car trouble, illness, etc.
• They can tell if your pet needs medical attention.
• They are insured and bonded. 

Interviewing Your Pet Sitter

After locating your pet sitter, the next step is the interview. Below is a list of questions you can consider asking, in no particular order: 

• What do you love about being a pet sitter?
• How long have you been pet sitting?
• How do you handle medical emergencies? Are you able to get my cat to the vet?
• Can you provide references?
• Are you bonded and insured?
• Do you belong to professional pet sitting organizations?
• What services do you provide and what are your fees?
• Will you play with my cat?
• If my return trip home is delayed for any reason, can you continue to care for my cat until I get home?
• Will you send me updates? 

The list could be exhaustive, so choose what’s important to you. (Just be sure to have you questions prepared ahead of time.) Below is a short video from Dr. Marty Becker on his top five questions to ask a pet sitter.

Being bonded and insured is a very important factor that needs to be considered. A conscientious sitter will ensure they maintain liability and bonding insurance to cover damage to your property or pet due to accidents or their negligence.  

Receiving updates is very important to me, and I need my sitter to be willing to send them daly. I am a doting cat mom, and I need to know that my girls are doing well in my absence. I have to admit, the updates I receive from my sitters when I’m away at a conference make some other cat parents jealous. I get daily texts letting me know they are there, and updates on the girls' status. And I get the best photos! 

It really helps to put me at ease and I worry just a little less.

During the interview process, Leslie and/or her staff review every aspect of care with the client so the sitter is familiar with all of the important details. Making the client's cat as comfortable as possible while they are away is of utmost importance. Leslie and her team like to learn where your cat prefers to eat their meals (as well as how much food is to be given), what their favorite toys are, where they like to be touched and petted, whether they like to be brushed, and any other important information you think they need. 

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They also ask detailed questions about the disposition of your cat to ensure that they know how to best interact with them. Is your cat shy? Or are they territorial? Gathering as much information as they can before you leave helps make sure your cat is happy. 

Introducing Your Cat to the Sitter

Not only do you have to be comfortable with the person you are leaving in charge of your cats’ well-being, but your favorite feline must be as well. Don’t forget that they are an important part of the interview process, too! Your sitter should provide a “Meet and Greet” with the staff that will actually be providing the care so that they and your cats can become familiar with each other. 

Lexy is always the star of the Meet and Greets and loves greeting people at the door. Her paw stamp of approval of a visitor is rolling over and showing them her belly. Lola, on the other hand, may need some reassurance and coaxing to show her playful side. That’s when I bring out the treats and her favorite toy and have the sitter interact with her. 

Making the Pet Sitting Experience Successful

Leslie (who has been in business since 1998), shared some tips with me on how to make the sitting experience successful for you and your cat.

• Make sure you are forthcoming regarding your cats’ personalities, their likes and dislikes, whether they are quick to become overstimulated, and where they like or don’t like to be touched (which is so important!) There is no need to make the cat feel uncomfortable from the onset if not necessary!
• If you make any changes to care details in between the initial meeting and first visit, let your sitter know! This includes changing the location of the litterboxes, food amounts, etc.
• Please make sure to let the sitter know how they can be in touch with you if need be. Do you have access to calls or texts? Emails?
• Inform your sitter when you are leaving and returning so visits can be timed accordingly. (On All Fours Cat Sitting tries not to leave cats alone for more than 24 hours.)
• If you are expecting anyone else in your home during your absence, let the sitter know so they can be prepared.

I leave a detailed list for the sitter no matter how many times they've been there. Things such as food preferences, diets, favorite toys, and medications change from time to time. (As well as hiding places!) I also leave enough food out on the counter, as well as paper towels and cleaning supplies in case they are needed. (And I don't forget to leave the treats out! The girls are definitely spoiled when I'm away.) Included in the list are my travel itinerary and updated emergency contacts. I also make sure the carriers are left out with a clear note that Lola must go in the hard carrier in the event they have to leave the house.

Deciding to use a pet sitter was one of the best decisions I've made. Lola and Lexy are well taken care of and happy, which makes my trips more enjoyable. It's a win-win for all for all of us.

I’d like to extend many thanks to Leslie for contributing her thoughts and expertise to this article. I am so blessed to have sitters who treat my cats like their own, and who understand my need to know that they are okay. Lola and Lexy get the best care when I’m away and love their time with their sitter. It really enables me to enjoy my time away from home.

Do you use a pet sitter? Tell us about them.

Dawn

These great photos are courtesy of Dawn G! Thanks for everything, Dawn!