Dear Critter Corner: I’m planning to travel to visit family during the holidays this year, and this will be the first time I am leaving my cat with a pet sitter. I’d like to create a plan for the pet sitter to follow but am a bit overwhelmed. Can you help?
It’s great that you will be able to spend time with family over the holidays, but it can definitely be a bit daunting when thinking about also leaving our furry family members in the care of a pet sitter. However, it’s great that you’re thinking about this in advance and beginning the initial steps of planning.
When creating a plan for your pet sitter to follow, it’s good to start writing down your cat’s daily routine, activities, medications, etc. This will provide a foundation and checklist for any pet sitter to refer to and follow on a daily basis. Be as detailed as you can outlining any specifics such as what your cat eats for breakfast and dinner, how they prefer their meals prepared, if they prefer tap water to filtered, if they tend to hide when a newcomer arrives, their favorite toys/beds, how often they use the litter box and when it should be cleaned, if they take any medications and how often with the daily dosage included, what they might be scared of (fireworks, storms, barking dogs), etc. The more you’re able to describe your cat’s daily routine and preferences, the easier it will be for the pet sitter to take over when you’re not there. Feel free to include details of their morning routine and/or evening routine, as well as any household help you will need (watering plants, picking up mail, turning on/off heaters/air conditioners, etc.).
Also beneficial to include is a short summary of your cat’s behavior, including whether they like to be pet, and if so, when or in what way. Do they get overstimulated and what does this behavior look like, and what should the pet sitter watch out for to prevent being scratched or bitten? A safe practice also includes providing your pet sitter with your veterinarian’s contact information and address, the contact information for a local emergency vet, and contact information for friends and family that can be reached and help with any emergencies should you be unreachable.
Lastly, be sure to schedule a meet-and-greet with the pet sitter, giving ample time before your scheduled trip. This will help you, your cat, and the pet sitter familiarize themselves with each other as well as the help that will be needed. If possible, consider conducting a dry run with the pet sitter, having them help care for your cat for one day. Then when the trip arrives, they’ll be much more well-versed and comfortable with taking care of your pet.
Mary-Ann Fernandes is a Trainer for the Behavior and Training Department at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. For more information, please call 650-340-7022 or email behavior@phs-spca.org.