Cat vacation care: Drop-ins vs cat sitters

Cat vacation care can sometimes be a head-scratcher. You know your kitty is unhappy in a boarding facility, so you want to make sure they can be kept safely at home. So, do you choose a cat drop-in service or an in-home cat sitter?

We’ll compare the pros and cons of daily drop-in visits for cat care against those of using a TrustedHousesitters cat sitter. Remember, whatever you decide, make sure it’s what’s best for your kitty.

What does a cat drop-in do?

These are hired people who provide daily drop-in visits to provide basic cat care for your kitty while you’re away from home. They’re usually only at your hour for 10 to 15 minutes to check in on your cat, make sure they’re okay, feed them, change their water, and empty their litter tray. Some daily drop services pop around a couple of times a day depending on what they offer and your cat’s needs.

What does a Trusted cat sitter do?

A TrustedHousesitter provides in-home cat sitting, as well as acting as a house sitter, as part of your annual membership. They stay in your home to provide round-the-clock care and attention to your kitty, sticking to their routine, and providing security and comfort for them throughout the day. In-home cat sitters can also perform small chores around the house, like bowl and litter tray cleaning, and simple cleaning to keep your home in order.

Cat drop-ins: Pros

It’s a good alternative to a boarding facility for cat vacation care. This allows your feline to remain around the comfort and smells of home and not have to go through the stress of traveling and staying at a cattery. The drop-in service can send you updates during or after each visit to update you on how your cat and home are doing. They can also agree to not leave your home until they’ve at least found seen your cat - albeit even if they’re hiding under a bed!

Cat drop-ins: Cons

While drop-in visits are often preferable to an unfamiliar boarding facility, the daily attention and monitoring some cats need can’t be provided. Although the drop-in service can make sure everything is okay at home once or twice a day, they won’t be around to offer personable care and enrichment for kitties. For shy cats who prefer peace and quiet, this may not bother them too much. However, most cats need some form of human attention at some point - even cats can experience loneliness.

Safety-wise, although a daily check-up is better than nothing, it doesn’t prevent accidents from occurring during the day. Even the most cat-proof home can hold a few small hazards.

Trusted cat sitter: Pros

As certified pet people, they can be instructed to meet all of your cat’s needs and tailor their attention to what suits your cat’s personality. If they love company and attention, your Trusted cat sitter is there when they need a cuddle. For those kitties who prefer to be more solitary, your cat sitter can make sure they feel quiet and safe even if they’re not sociable meows.

It’s round-the-clock security with a human presence who can message you, the pet parent, in real time if anything should happen. On the flip side, they can send you regular updates throughout the day about how your precious purr-baby is doing and how they’re coping without you.

The key to a successful sit lies in how you prepare your sitter - make sure they’ve been given clear instructions about your cat’s daily routine, what’s expected of them, and details about your cat’s personality, likes, dislikes, whether they need grooming, and if they like to be stroked or picked up.

Trusted cat sitter: Cons

While all is well and good to read about on paper, using an in-home cat sitter requires an exchange of trust. You’re entrusting you things most precious to you - your pet and your home - to a stranger. For some people, this feels like too much of a risk, and we understand that.

All of our pet sitters are verified and require a minimum of two real references before they can even create an account. We always encourage pet parents to have at least one video call with their cat sitter before agreeing to the sit, and it’s recommended you’re there to greet the sitter and show them around in person before you leave.

Which is best for cat vacation cat?

The benefits of cat sitting vs a cattery are a bit more obvious (it’s the difference between keeping them happy at home or moving them to a kennel situation), but it’s difficult to weigh the pros and cons of in-home cat sitting vs a drop-in service because each situation is unique. Some people may feel more comfortable knowing someone is caring for their kitty and home while they’re away, others may think it’s not necessary.

Look through both options carefully, there’s no right or wrong answer. Find what suits your cat best and which routine will make them most comfortable until you’re back home.

Why wait to find the purr-fect cat sitter? Browse our paw-some cat sitters near you and discover a feline friend for your precious pet. If you’re not one of our pet-loving members yet, have a look at our different membership plans to see which one would suit you and your pet best.