Top 10 Cat Sitting Tips

We have both been fascinated by cats all our lives - it's just one of the reasons we love cat sitting. Their elegant walk, their mysterious aura, their independent character, their mischievous and playful nature – what’s not to love?

Like humans, some cats are extroverts and love making new human friends. They come straight at you, demand attention and can’t get enough neck scratches. Others are introverts, preferring alone time, or they are shy and need more time to get to know you. Perhaps they were abused once and their trust in humans has been badly shaken.

We take special pride in making friends with our charges in record time and want to share the main techniques we use with you. If you have never looked after cats before, are nervous around them, or would like to know how to get that scaredy cat to trust you quicker, read on!

N.B. Because we like to see cats as the living, thinking, feeling beings they are, we’ve used the article “he/him/his” rather than “it/its”, and the generic masculine form for the sake of simplicity.

Our Top 5 “Dos”

1.  Ignore him! If you walk in and the cat runs away, just ignore him for a while. Let him get used to your voice, smell and presence first. He will soon realise you are not a threat and when curiosity takes the better of him, he will come over to check you out.

And just a quick addition from us at Team Trusted - no other than Rob Kuty - President of San Diego Pet Training and Director of Animal Training at Helen Woodward Animal Center provides very similar advice when it comes to introducing yourself to a cat, over on our community forum:

“The best approach is not to befriend the cat when you first enter, but let the cat come to you at its own pace. Make sure the cat’s water bowl is full, litter box is clean, and make sure the cat has food in his bowl. 

Outside of that just be there. Be present and don’t force any interaction. Animals wear their personality on their sleeve and will let you know when they are ready to interact. You can then proceed accordingly.”

2.  Make yourself small. You will look a lot less scary and threatening if you come down to his level. Crouch down or sit on the floor and let the cat come over and give you a sniff. Cats rely heavily on scent, so it’s his way of getting to know you.

3.  Act calmly around him. Talk in a soft voice and keep a calm demeanour around him. Avoid loud noises or big, sudden movements. If he’s in a different room, announce yourself before you walk in so you don’t startle him.

4.  Slow blink. As primates, we like to look at other live beings in the eye. But for cats, prolonged direct eye contact feels threatening. When first meeting a cat, try half-closing your eyes and blinking slowly, then look away.

5.  Play Time! We haven’t yet met a cat that doesn’t like playing. Play time is good for their physical and mental health, for their confidence, and is a fantastic way to help you bond with them too.

Our Top 5 “Do nots”

1.  Rub his belly. Contrary to popular belief, when a cat lies on his back, he’s not asking for a belly rub! Exposing his belly and neck makes any animal very vulnerable – this is the ultimate show of trust. Don’t betray that trust by doing the one thing the cat fears! (NB. Some cats DO like their bellies stroked, but they need to trust you unreservedly – just because they allow their owners to do it, it doesn’t mean they will allow you too).

2.  Shout at him. Even if he’s misbehaving, try not to shout at him – you will just scare him and make him fear you, he could either lose his trust in you completely, or retaliate. And just for the record, this is also a top dog sitting tip!

3.  Use your hands as play toys. Cats are hunters and you’ll be teaching him that your limbs are “fair game” anytime he needs to satisfy that instinct. Instead, use a toy that he can sink his claws and teeth into away from you – it is safer for you and will promote better behaviour from the cat.

4.  Invade his space. Don’t follow a cat around the house, or corner him into a small space so you can touch him. You will just make him feel threatened and more likely to mistrust you. Give him time and space – you cannot rush a cat’s affection!

5.  Tease him. Never tease a cat doing something that causes him to jump in fright. Firstly, this can cause injuries if he lands badly, and secondly, the cat doesn’t understand it’s an “innocent joke” and these incidents can make him become mistrusting or even develop behavioural issues.

We hope these simple tips will help make your next cat sit a lot more enjoyable!  

Mark and Maria are cat sitting specialists and Maria is currently studying towards a Diploma in Cat Psychology and Behaviour.

If you want to read more about Maria and Mark and their housesitting adventures, check out their website. 
Or perhaps you fancy having Maria and Mark come to care for your kitties? Head over to their profile. 

If you love cats, then cat sitting through TrustedHousesitters is a great way to enjoy the company of these feline creatures. Discover the wonderful world of cat sitting and enjoy some wonderful company while on a house sit. Join TrustedHousesitters and start your cat sitting adventure today, to browse current cat sitting opportunities click here.

Thinking about introducing a new cat?

Naturally - as a cat lover - your dream is to have multiple cats roaming your house - a multi-cat household, if you will. But is that many felines right for you, your home, and of course, the cats themselves? Find out here.