It will surprise no one, cats don’t travel well. And they are pretty low maintenance. So if it is just overnight or just for the weekend, you might put out some extra food and water and call it done. But of course, that won’t always work. In my opinion, the next best thing to the cats taking care of themselves is a cat sitter. Certainly, it is the least disruptive option for the cats themselves.
What is a Cat Sitter
A cat sitter or, more broadly, a pet sitter, is a person who comes to your home to care for your animals while you are away. This could be a professional sitter with ten years experience as a vet tech who gives your elderly diabetic cat insulin twice a day. Or it could be your neighbor’s 13-year-old daughter who scoops the litter boxes daily so prissy Mr Fluffypants doesn’t pee on the bathroom rug. But regardless of the level of care your cat requires, there are a few key advantages to using a cat sitter that can tell you if this is the BEST choice for you.
You Have A Multi Pet Household
The more pets you have and the more diverse your household, the more that a cat sitter or pet sitter will make sense for you. Do you have five cats? Do you have two cats, a dog, a ferret, and a cockatiel? The least complicated and most budget friendly option for you will absolutely be a pet sitter. While sitters do usually price per pet, it is generally a small amount compared to boarding facilities. Furthermore, very few boarding facilities will take either ferrets or birds, period. So a sitter might be your only option.
You Want Special Service
Do you need your houseplants watered? Expecting a delivery? Want your outdoor bird feeders topped up? Or just want the added security of a more “lived in” look to your home while you are away? Many sitters are very flexible. You just need to be very clear on expectations and costs upfront to avoid any misunderstandings.
Your Cat Reacts Badly To Change
Cats do not like change. And some cats react more strongly to change than others. One of my cats, a sweet gray tabby named Mojee, turned his face to the wall and refused to eat or drink the one and only time I attempted to board him. It was so bad that I had to cut my trip short, and they ended up giving him subcutaneous fluids waiting for my return. Mojee had seizures and required daily medications. I thought that boarding him with my vet was the only option. It turns out that it is possible to get vet techs, and former vet techs as cat sitters! In fact, your vet may be the best place to start looking for a sitter if your cat has significant health issues.
If your cat doesn’t have any issues beyond being kind of pissy, territorial and opinionated, you can cut your expense significantly by seeing if a friend, neighbor or family member is up for the job. Sometime people are willing to pet sit on a reciprocal basis. “I’ll watch yours while you go to the beach if you watch mine when I visit family over the holidays” kind of thing. The advantage here, beyond cost, is the likelihood that your cat already knows and is comfortable with this person.
Selecting The Right Cat Sitter
Professional Services
There are many advantages to using a professional sitting service. Most professional service providers carry liability insurance and offer service guarantees, providing additional peace of mind. Because their reputation is on the line, they are likely to do a more thorough vetting of the pet sitters than you are likely to do on your own. You will have access to reviews and verified work history. Most sitting services offer you profiles of sitters you can choose from to help you find the best fit. The profiles generally list experience, ratings and reviews from previous clients. They also often list how many repeat clients the sitters have, always a good, positive sign.
Professional Cat Sitter Services To Consider:
Rover.com Nationwide. Sitter background or identity checks. Verified reviews by pet parents. 24/7 support for pet parents and sitters. Vet advice for sitters during bookings. A team of trust and safety experts. Vet care reimbursement through the Rover Guarantee. Unfortunately, they only list services for dogs and cats.
Nonie’s Pet Care New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner. Insured. Bonded, background screened, skilled staff. 5 star reviews. A+ Accredited Business w/BBB. Locally owned (not a franchise). They offer: pet sitting, dog walking, bed & breakfast visits, overnights, all medication administration, Pet Taxi, Poop-Scoop Service, as well as, specialized post surgery, injury or illness care. And they list services for dogs, cats, “critters”, rabbits and birds.
Private Individuals
In many ways, this is both the best and the worst option. Ideally, this is someone your pets already know and love. For friends and family members, you should know what to expect. Please! Only choose people you know are reliable and dependable. You are not going to care how much your cats love your flaky sister when you come home to filthy litter boxes, dead houseplants and a freezer completely devoid of ice cream. Clearly defining what you need done, in writing on a list, will avoid misunderstandings down the road and might just save a friendship.
If you are considering engaging someone you don’t personally know, a Vet Tech freelancer from Craigslist, a friend of a friend’s nephew, please remember, YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE THIS PERSON THE KEYS TO YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR ALARM CODE. You absolutely must check references and do at least a basic background check. A nanny cam might not be a bad idea either.
Conclusion
I have had cats for six decades, many many cats and dogs and fish and birds and ferrets and hamsters and…pets. For me personally, sitters are the best way to go. Being able to stay in a familiar environment, with familiar sights and smells, is less distressing for your pets. They will still notice you’re gone. I even think my fish noticed I was gone. But I think it is less stressful. However, it does mean giving someone access to your home. And I know not everyone is comfortable with that. But hopefully now that you know the pros and cons, you will know if cat sitter is the best choice for you.
