Cat Sitting Hints

Taking care of a friend’s cats whilst they are away is a really nice thing to do. However to avoid any upsets, you should follow the tips below to ensure that you are the best cat sitter you can be!

The ideal situation is to keep the cats in their own home. Moving cats can actually be very stressful for them and may make them believe they’ve actually been abandoned. Keeping them in their own surroundings gives they comfort as well as security. You’ll be able to call in twice a day to make sure all is well.

If you are not familiar with the cats, you need to be introduced so they recognise you, and you know where to find everything they need. Find out where they keep the litter tray and litter as well as the scoop and rubbish bags to remove the waste. You’ll also want to know what food to feed and how often. Cats have varied diets, some will only eat tinned food, whilst others prefer dry. Water must always be available. This getting to know factor will create a comfort in the cats’ minds and a reassurance that things will get back to normal at some time.

Cats respond to your mood so it’s important that you appear calm and confident, and not at all distressed. Young cats will appreciate being played with, but older cats may not. Try to allay the cat’s anxieties with plenty of stoking and attention. Try and make sure that all is calm before you leave as they will sit and brood if worried. Despite their independent nature, they’ll enjoy your company.

All cats have their own personalities so if you can spend some time getting to know them before, this well help you tremendously during the cat sitting period. Changes in their habits can be an indication that something is wrong and you’ll recognise this if you know them a bit better. You need to be told about any bad habits such as biting and scratching too! If you’re prepared its half the battle.

Make sure you have been left the number of the vets, as well as a contact number just in case of emergencies. Inform the neighbours that you’ll be visiting on a regular basis so they don’t get anxious. Ask about where the toys are kept and if the cats have any special needs. Some cats need to be fed a prescription diet to keep them healthy. It’s a good idea to get an email address so that you can message daily on how the cats are coping!

Be very careful though because the cat is an unpredictable animal. This is not a joke, i had a friend who was cat sitting for his neighbour's cat and guess what, he called professional builders London in order to repair the mess that the cat has caused. Cases like that are rare of course but do keep an open mind about it.

Don’t be afraid to say if you feel that you can’t look after the cats properly. Your friends would rather you say before they leave! Advise them to get in touch with a reputable cat sitting london company who will professionally care for the cats and you can just visit! If on the other hand, you believe you could make a career out of this, contact Pet Sitters International to get a certificate!