What do cat sitters do? Behind the scenes of kitty care

A cat sitter, cat babysitter, or cat nanny is a dedicated caregiver who comes to your home to look after your feline family while you’re away. Unlike other pet care services that offer quick cat drop-in visits, at TrustedHousesitters, we go the extra mile. Our live-in cat sitters don’t just pop by for a daily visit, they stay right at home with your furry family members to make sure they have everything they need, 24/7.

So what do cat sitters do? With the help of some of our kitty sitting experts from the Community Forum, we’re exploring the daily duties and responsibilities of an in-home cat sitter.

What do cat sitters do? 

Cat sitters take on lots of different jobs to keep furry friends happy and healthy at home. As a pet parent, it’s important to clarify what you expect from them from the start – explain the details during your initial meet and greet and give them a list of instructions when they arrive so they know exactly what to do.

Here are some of the tasks your sitter will likely take on while you’re away:

Provide food and water

Your in-home cat sitter will make sure your furry feline gets the right amount of their usual food at the right time. They’ll also ensure your cat has access to fresh water at all times, and refill their water bowl as needed. 

Regular Forum user, @Marion, adds a couple of points pet parents might want to clarify for their sitters: “If there are multiple cats, do they ever need to be separated (like at meal times or other times)? And what does that look like?”.

Take care of cleaning

For the sake of everyone involved, your sitter will also handle various pet-related cleaning tasks. This includes…

• Cleaning food and water bowls regularly.
• Scooping litter boxes and replacing litter when necessary.
• Cleaning up any messes from your cat like vomit, hairballs, or accidents outside the litter box. 
• Disposing of “gifts” (such as dead birds or rodents) brought in by outdoor cats.

Administer medication 

Ensuring your cat gets their medication is an important task for any cat sitter. As @tlubkin says, “Medication is something all sitters have to be fully aware of before accepting a sit and be comfortable doing”.

If your furry friend needs regular medication, show your cat sitter how to give it to them, including the dosage, the time of day, and the method of administration. “I prefer a demo or video to writing,” @Marion notes.

Your live-in cat sitter will also stick around to watch for any adverse reactions to the medication. @tlubkin adds, “I wouldn’t play home Vet (even though I am a human doctor), without talking to the homeowner first, but knowing what to look out for, and simple home remedies have really helped up my cat care game. (Things like monitoring respiratory rate, urinary behavior, signs of infection)”.

Keep an eye on pets

Cats can be sensitive to changes in their environment, and that’s why sitters are used to keeping a watchful eye on them. “One huge thing I’ve learned is that cats have anxiety and depression symptoms more than I thought. That cat that the owner says “she’s a loner, doesn’t like humans” needs some extra monitoring to see what she wants and needs, sometimes it’s just alone time without other pets or other humans,” says @tlubkin.

As @Marion says, sitters also keep an eye out for any signs of illness or unusual behavior, “What are some behaviors that would definitely ring alarm bells? Some cats might spit up or even vomit fairly frequently if they eat too fast, while other cats rarely vomit so if they did so it might mean a trip to the vet”.

Make sure cats are safe

Who knows what kind of mischief your furry friend could get up to if left alone for a few days? Indoor cats may look for opportunities to escape, while outdoor kitties might need to be brought in at night to avoid getting into trouble. And don’t forget about the dangers inside the home – from tiny trinkets that could be choke hazards to plants that aren’t safe for curious nibblers, your live-in cat sitter will be on hand to keep dangers at bay.

Take part in playtime

Cats are playful creatures, but sometimes they need a little nudge to bring out their fun side. Wand toys, laser pointers, and feather teasers are perfect for interactive fun and can help your cat let off some steam while bonding with their sitter. Playtime is a great way for your cat to destress and stay happy and healthy. 

As @Newpetlover suggests, having a sitter is also a great opportunity to explore your furry friend’s likes and dislikes. What might seem boring to you could turn out to be their new favorite activity with a bit of encouragement from someone new.

Provide loving companionship

Cats might have a rep for being a bit aloof, but they actually love having company. As @andrealovesanimals says, “Cats need love! Even if they are very independent, they will appreciate your presence”. 

Some cats might even come out of their shell with the right sitter. @tlubkin, nicknamed “The Cat Whisperer” by pet parents, says, “There have been instances where we bond with cats that have never bonded with their owners".

Some kitties might seek attention through pets and lap time while others are content just knowing someone is home. Whether they’re by your side or across the room, your furry feline will appreciate the companionship of a caring sitter.

Help out with grooming

While cats are usually quite good at keeping themselves clean, some breeds need a helping hand. Cat sitters can handle regular brushing to keep your kitty’s coat and skin healthy and to prevent fur from taking over your home.

@Couple_travels_fulltime says “Some homeowners ask their cat to be brushed. We go above and beyond, brushing, cleaning eyes, checking ears and paws, etc. We also use a wet towel to wipe the cat down if they go outside. They see this as their mother licking them and more often than not, will like it”.

Maintain the home

While caring for your cat is the main priority, sitters are often happy to take on other tasks around the house. They might put out the trash, collect the mail, and even water the plants. Many pet parents report coming home to a house that’s cleaner and tidier than when they left!

Make the home more secure

An in-home cat sitter will make your home look lived-in, deterring burglars and opportunists. Your sitter will come and go, pop out to the shops, open and close curtains, and generally keep the house looking occupied.

Stay in touch

Unless they’re told otherwise, cat sitters typically send regular updates, pictures, and videos to pet parents. They may also ask questions and clarify details about your cat’s care while you’re away, keeping you informed if anything arises.

Offer peace of mind for pet parents

With all the tasks a cat sitter handles, the final thing to mention is the peace of mind they provide for pet parents. Knowing that your fur babies are in loving, verified hands and getting around-the-clock care in the comfort of their own home allows pet parents like you to enjoy their time away without worry.

Want to learn more about in-home pet sitters? Head over to our blog to find out answers to questions like “How much do cat sitters charge?” and the difference between a cat sitter vs boarding.