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  9. Top tips for cat sitters — as told by pet owners

Cat sitting tips — as told by pet parents

TrustedHousesitters blog author - Danielle Petch
Danielle Petch
20 October 20217 min read
A woman playing on the floor with a black and white Tuxedo cat

Independent, elegant — sometimes aloof,  but adorably affectionate (in their own ways, of course!). Most cat owners would happily wax lyrical about just how wonderful our feline friends are. 

But unlike dogs, it can be a little harder to earn the love and trust of a cat — particularly for pet sitters. It’s true, cats make you work for their love — which is why it’s all the more rewarding when you finally get it! 

Luckily, the members of our community are an experienced bunch. So, when the topic of cat owners and their top tips for sitters arose on our Community Forum, as always, they were happy to share their expertise. So, alongside making sure your cat sitting profile is sparkling, follow these cat sitting tips to make sure your adventure goes smoother than the coat of a British Shorthair...

Top cat sitting tips

Our cat-loving members flocked to answer this latest Forum thread all about the best tips for cat sitters. From the notorious hiding places a cat might be lurking to feeding tips and how to get a cat to come to you, our feline-fancied Forum members spilt the metaphorical (toe)beans — and here’s what we discovered…

How do you get a cat to come to you?

“What I do when I meet a new cat is I bow down, literally come down and put the back of my hand out and let the cat come to me. They have to sniff you out. Then if allowed, I stroke the top of their head and just see how they respond.” — @Amparo

“The most important thing about cats is that THEY decide when they want something or allow someone to approach and pet them... Approaching your hand slowly is recommended; they will tell you what’s likely to happen next.” — @gchampagne

“I think it’s really good to give cats space & respect that they are beings in their own right! Sometimes they like to observe you for a bit & then we tend to become best friends!” — @Fluffball

Where are the most common places for a cat to hide?

“They can hide anywhere. Under beds, couches, closets, bathrooms, basements, pantries… I find it best to let them be and they will come as long as they are not locked in somewhere. Trying to get a cat to come out only makes it retreat more.” — @Amparo

Cats are creatures of habit.

Do cats like routine?

“All the cats we’ve had have been creatures of habit. If their routine is not disturbed they will do mostly the same thing at the same time of day.” — @gchampagne

“The most important thing is that they can keep their routines! The first years, we used to ask our neighbors to feed the cats twice a day, but when we came back, we noticed that their fur wasn’t as shiny as normal and that they were out of their mind when we arrived back home. Since then we always find someone to sit the house with the cats. We actually had the best experience with a sitter from TrustedHousesitters just recently. She kept the routines and when we arrived back home we felt like the cats hadn’t even noticed that we were gone for a week!” — @Düsenzofe

“People who become cat “owners” later in life are always surprised that cats really like routine.” — @Katie

Litter box cleaning hacks 

“The litter box must be cleaned daily or they will “go” elsewhere, and make sure you know about it!” — @Amparo

“Keeping a clean litter box has been mentioned. They can be fussy about the type of litter also. Cat Attract is a great litter to use if they are avoiding the litter box.” — @ElaineInDallas

How much and what do cats eat?

“Cats are finicky about their food and schedule. Kitty parents also have their own preferences and methods that work for them so follow their recommendations. The owners know them best and are your best resource for what and when to feed them, what they enjoy for play, their preferences and habits as well as their dislikes, must nots or any special needs they require. A real good conversation [with the owner] and a good detailed Welcome Guide is your best bet.” — @Amparo

“Do not wait for them to remind you it’s mealtime or time to fill the water bowl or scoop the pan/litter tray. Many cats will meow or “come get you” when hungry, but not all.” — @Katie

“Cats can be very picky eaters, and will refuse to eat something they don’t like. As soon as you find a food they like and buy it in bulk, they will decide it is no longer acceptable! They may also behave as though they are on the brink of starvation because the bottom of the food bowl is visible...” — @ElaineInDallas

Share your own cat sitting tips on our Community Forum.

How do cats communicate?

“You have to learn to read the body language. When a dog wags its tail it’s usually because he’s happy and excited. When a cat sort of does the whip with its tail it’s because they are in a playful mood and they might bite if you try to pet them or they are on the defensive.” — @gchampagne

“If you are petting them and the tail starts twitching - stop. They don’t like what you are doing. Dog people think that cats are psycho, but they actually signal when they don’t like something. It’s just that the signals are subtle and you need to watch for them. You can tell a lot from the way their ears are positioned, for example.” — @ElaineInDallas

“Sometimes cats will bite or scratch in play... They will let you know for certain when they dislike something and with time you will clue into this.” — @Amparo

What things do ‘dog people’ not know about cats?

“They each have unique personalities and you have to feel them out to get to know them. I am with two cats that are total opposites. One loves back (butt) rubs, happy on her own in her own spaces, doesn’t like to be picked up at all. She will come when she wants. The other only likes head rubs. If you try to pet her body she will roll over and grab you with claws.” — @Amparo

“They’re not “quirky” free spirits portrayed by popular culture. Many such people are also really surprised how attached they become to the cat and vice versa.” — @Katie

“Even many cat owners don’t realize that taking the cats to a [boarding] facility when they are away for holidays can be very disturbing for the animals.” — @Düsenzofe

And when it comes to cat sitting, here are the things to NEVER do...

“Don’t take a sit with an animal that has special needs that you are not ready for. It is a disservice to the family and the animal.” — @Amparo

“Berating a cat for bad behavior, shouting, otherwise punishing it - usually have the opposite to the desired effect. Cats need positive reinforcement, not negative.” — @ElaineInDallas

How to become a cat sitter

So, then, Human. Reckon you’re up to the challenge of serving the Feline Kings and Queens of TrustedHousesitters? Great! Here are our top tips on how to become a cat sitter: 

  1. Join TrustedHousesitters. Sure, it sounds obvious! But if you haven’t already joined our pet-loving community, now’s the time. Plus, with Christmas just around the corner, it's a great chance to experience the holidays somewhere new, with a furry feline friend by your side!
  2. Create a cat sitter profile. When you sign up to TrustedHousesitters, you can create a pet sitter profile with photos and lots of information about you, your pet care experience and why you want to pet sit. And it’s not just cats you can sit for, either! On TrustedHousesitters, there are dogs, cats, chickens, horses, rabbits and even a whole farm of llamas and alpacas looking for a kind and caring pet sitter. (Just don’t tell the cats!) 
  3. Get your profile verified. Applying for your free ID and background checks is the best way to reassure pet owners you are who you say you are. And don’t forget to request some pet and house sitting references — adding at least three to your profile will increase your chance of finding a house sit by 20%!
  4. Find a house sit. Once you’ve spruced up your pet sitter profile, you can begin searching for and applying to as many house sits as you like, both near and far away. You can even set up a saved search to receive notifications whenever house sits matching your preferred criteria are added to the site.
  5. Apply! Now, it’s time to apply and write up your application message. This is your chance to shine, so be sure to give it lots of time and attention, and don’t forget to personalise it for each pet/owner. Then, you'll soon be on your way to making new furry friends in no time!

Got your own cat sitting tips to share?

Pop on over to our Community Forum and share your own experiences and thoughts or ask for advice on a whole range of topics from cat sitting and dog sitting to travel tips, pets and more!

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