Whether you’re heading out of town for a few days or just working late, it’s important to make sure your cat is in good hands while you’re away. While cats are famously independent, they still need daily care, companionship, and consistency. That’s where a professional cat sitting service can make all the difference.
But how do you know what to look for?
Here’s your ultimate checklist of what to ask, what to expect, and what to avoid when hiring a cat sitter.
What to Ask a Cat Sitter Before Booking
Before you hand over the keys and the kibble, it’s important to feel confident in your sitter’s experience and approach. A great cat sitter won’t just meet your pet’s basic needs. They’ll also respect your home, your routines, and your cat’s preferences and personality.
Here are a few questions worth asking during your initial consultation:
How much experience do you have with cat sitting?
Not all pet sitters are equally familiar with feline behavior. Ask how comfortable they are with cats, especially shy or older ones.
What’s included in each visit?
A good cat sitting visit should include food and water refreshes, litter box scooping, medication administration (if needed), and a bit of social time—whether that means playtime or a quiet cuddle on the couch.
Do you offer in-home overnight care?
Some cats feel safest with more consistent companionship. Ask if the sitter can stay overnight in your home to keep your cat’s routine as normal as possible.
Can I meet the sitter in advance?
A meet-and-greet can help ease any nerves (yours and your cat’s). It’s also a chance to walk the sitter through your cat’s schedule and habits.
What to Expect From a Great Cat Sitting Experience
Let’s say you’ve looked at different cat sitters and have narrowed down your options. Having done that, here’s a quick list of what you should expect during the service.
Daily updates and communication
A good cat sitter should keep you informed, with brief messages, photos, or notes about how your cat is doing each day. You shouldn’t be left wondering.
Respect for routines
Cats thrive on routine, and a reliable sitter will keep things consistent. That will include keeping up routines around feeding times, litter box care, playtime, and even where the food and bowls are placed.
Basic home care
Cat sitting often includes light housekeeping tasks like mail collection, plant watering, or rotating lights to make your home look lived in while you’re away.
Emergency readiness
Your sitter should know what to do if something goes wrong, from illness or injury to power outages. They should have your vet info and emergency contacts on hand in the unlikely event of an emergency.
What to Ask a Cat Sitter Before Booking
Your cat is precious to you. And when it comes to their well-being, sometimes knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to seek out.
Bearing that in mind, here are a few red flags to watch out for.
Lack of communication
If a sitter is slow to respond during the booking process, they may not be much better once the visits start.
Vague service descriptions
If the sitter can’t clearly explain what’s included in each visit or how they handle emergencies, it’s worth considering a different provider.
One-size-fits-all approach
There is no such thing as a generic cat. Every one of them is unique, so it’s wise to be wary of sitters who don’t ask detailed questions about your pet or home.
Cat Sitting Should Feel Easy
Hiring a cat sitter should bring peace of mind, not stress. At Woofie’s®, we take the time to get to know your cat and your routine before the first visit ever happens. Whether it’s once-a-day check-ins or in-home overnight care, our sitters provide attentive, loving service designed around your cat’s needs.
Ready to book cat sitting that works for both you and your feline? Request service today or give us a call at (703) 914-3772.