To prepare your cat for a sitter, hold a meet-and-greet at home, leave food and litter for the whole trip plus two days, write down the routine and medication, secure windows and balconies, and show the sitter the carrier, hiding spots and safe room. A well-prepared home makes each 30-minute visit (from 110 ₪) calmer for your cat and more useful for you.
The meet-and-greet
Let your cat see the sitter while you are home. Many cats hide; that is fine. The sitter learns where your cat usually hides, how it likes to be approached and what "normal" looks like.
Supplies
- Food for the trip plus two days, with portions written down.
- Litter, bags and a scoop.
- Treats your cat likes, to help it trust the sitter.
- Medication in the original packaging, with your vet's instructions.
The home
- Windows and balconies closed or screened.
- Interior doors fixed open so your cat always reaches water and litter.
- Cables and small objects put away.
- A carrier left open in a quiet place, with a blanket.
- Instructions for air conditioning or heating.
Written routine
Feeding times and amounts, litter habits, favourite games, places your cat hides, signs of stress, your vet's details, a trusted contact and the location of the safe room.
During the trip
Expect a photo and video after every visit. If your cat hides, the sitter shows the bowls and litter as evidence of eating. For kittens, seniors or cats on medication, two visits a day (190 ₪) are safer.
After you return
Give your cat a quiet first evening. Some cats ignore their owners for a few hours after a trip and then become extra affectionate; both are normal. Check the litter and appetite for a day or two, and tell the sitter if anything seemed different, so next time the routine can be adjusted.