Cat sitters

A popular alternative to catteries, cat sitters are pet lovers like you who’ll stay with your cats whenever you’re away. They could be lovely local cat sitters or kind people who have journeyed from afar just to spend time somewhere new with an adorable animal.

For TrustedHousesitters, cat sitting is all about sharing the love of pets. Our sitters will never charge to care for a cat, and likewise pet parents will never charge them to stay. It's a special exchange between like-minded people that keeps cats safe while helping each other to travel.

The short answer is, whatever it takes to keep your cat safe and happy while you're away. The longer answer is, it depends. We recommend interviewing cat sitters first to make sure you find the perfect fit. Discuss your expectations with them, including information about any medical problems your cat has, how much playtime they need, and whether they’re allowed to sleep on the bed. Make sure your cat sitter is happy to fulfill your wishes and don't forget to write down the instructions so they can provide your feline friend with the very best tailor-made cat care.

This is really a question that only you can answer. Is your cat generally good with new people? If possible, try to set up a meeting with the cat sitter first so your furry friend can get to know them. It might be a good idea to have them arrive a day or two early so there's a bit of overlap and your cat can see that you're comfortable with them. In any case, most cats are more comfortable staying somewhere they know and love, so finding an in-home pet sitter is usually a much better solution than boarding them in a cattery.

Cats are super independent creatures but they still benefit from the special attention and companionship a pet sitter can give them. Some people have a neighbor pop in for an hour to feed their cats and clean the litter box, but why not choose someone who can keep your cat company all the time? Having a cat sitter means your fur baby has a nice friendly lap to curl up in, plus there will be someone there to help if your cat is injured or unwell.

We're not called TrustedHousesitters for nothing! All of our cat sitters sign up because they're passionate about animals. They go through phone/email verification and identity checks, and all have individual profiles where you can check out their past experiences and read references from previous pet parents they've sat for. Like anything though, it's always a good idea to be thorough. Spend time to get to know your cat sitter - through video chats, or in person when possible. It's really important to use your own intuition and gut feeling when choosing someone to care for your beloved pet and don’t be afraid to carry on the search if something doesn’t feel right for you.