Looking After Your Cat Client: Provide the Best Cat Sitting Services

With its perks of cuddles and purrs, being a cat minder for a beloved cat is a job we cat lovers adore. Whether you are a friend who loves cats, a family member, or one of our cat sitting community, you’re providing a wonderful alternative to cat boarding. Need some tips on how to go about looking after your cat client in the best possible way? These tips will show you how to provide the best cat care so that the fluffy ones in your care have the pawsome experience they deserve.

Before your booking make sure you’ve read through all the forms and checklists in the Forms & Tips section and familiarized yourself with the Meet & Greet.

01 Follow the cat owner’s instructions

Follow the owner’s instructions but the general rule is that fresh wet food should be replaced at least twice daily and dry food at least once daily. However, this will vary from client to client when you cat sit. Just make sure you understand the owner’s instructions and ask questions if anything isn’t clear.

02 Always supply fresh water for the cat

When looking after your cat client, make sure you top up their water dishes every day. If necessary, clean them too as some kitties will refuse to drink water from a dirty dish (and you don’t want your cat client to get dehydrated!). These are usually best placed away from their food, as on the whole, cats prefer not to drink and eat in the same place. And, because cats can’t tolerate the lactose in cow’s milk, make sure that it’s only fresh water they’re drinking.

03 Keep the litter box and area clean

How often should I clean the litter box when cat sitting? As a cat caregiver, litter box maintenance should be one of your key priorities. Our furry friends are clean creatures, and don’t like pooping in soiled trays. Each cat day care visit must include scooping out the litter box—a good rule is to do it once per each visit. If you are looking after your cat client for longer catsitting booking, you may need to completely empty out the litter box once a week, clean it, and refill it with clean litter.

When taking the litter to the bin outside, always make sure you have the house keys on you – you don’t want to lock yourself out!

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04 Play or cuddle time with the cat

Playing . Part of looking after your cat client means keeping the kitty happy with some playtime. Ask the owner to leave a few toys or bring your own. LED lights and mice on a string are a favorite. As well as exercise (vital for indoor cats), playing creates a wonderful bond with your newest furry friends. However, be aware of which toys may be dangerous for cats and keep these away from Mr Whiskers when you’re not around to supervise.

Cuddles. Cuddles are one of the best parts of looking after a cat client! But remember, the cat decides when it wants a hug. As much as we all love a cuddle from a cat, the best cuddles are the ones that come with patience. Always let your kitty client take the lead and never force affection!

Grooming. Check with the owner, but typically you will need to brush long-haired cats daily and groom short-haired cats once a week. Remember to brush first, then comb. Start with a wide-toothed comb detangling matted hair. Then work front to back in small sections using a wire brush to remove dead hair.

Outdoor & Indoor Cats. Indoor cats need play time to keep them mentally stimulated. Outdoor cats may not be there when you visit. If that’s the case, check that food and water have gone down. If you are still unsure that the cat has been there, leave out a tasty treat and see if that’s gone on your next visit. You can read more about how to find “Mr Whiskers” here.

The Kitties Owners. It’s important to always keep the owner updated on their cat’s holiday care. Let them know what you and your new furry friend are getting up to by sending daily photo updates and videos. Even if kitty is out when you’ve come to visit please let the owner know. You want the owner to know that they’ve left their kitty in the safe hands of a trusted house sitter or 5 star cat sitter. 😉

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