5 Tips To Help Choose A Cat Sitter


Choosing a cat sitter has more similarities to choosing a babysitter than it has in common with choosing a dog sitter. Cats are inherently territorial and less sociable which means that bringing a complete stranger into their well-established ecosystem may not attract very pleasant results. However, displacing them completely and taking them to a pet care facility will be a lot more traumatizing, so you are wise to choose the lesser of the two evils. The preferred option is always a friend or a trusted relative however sometimes even that is not a possibility and you have to hire professional help. Here are some tips to help you decide who may be best suited to take care of your fur babies while you are away.

· Look for references

Whenever you meet the pet sitter, ask for references and contact all of them. In addition, look at the online profiles and read the reviews. Cover all your bases to make sure that the individual is capable of taking care of your babies. Also, ask the referees regarding their pet to establish a similarity between their pet and yours. Especially if you are the parent of a special needs fur baby.

· Trust Your Gut


This is the first and foremost rule in regards to making any decision and applies here as well. No matter how many stellar references or appropriate qualifications the sitter has if you have an uneasy feeling about the person do not hire them. Because at the end of the day they are going to be responsible for the life of your pet and the safety of your household.

· Look for Qualification

Like any interview, qualification is the most basic requirement. However, it depends on your pet and your requirement regarding the level of qualification you wish to have. For a pet that has a history of illness or has special needs, it's better if the sitter is a veterinary intern or experienced in the field. However, if your pet is healthy and does not require a lot of upkeep then a cat enthusiast or a person with a limited experience may be suited to your needs However keep in mind to provide complete information from your end; any eating habits, allergies, medications or even general personality traits of your babies. This is will help both the sitter and your pet adjust better.

· Supervised Visitation First

Let the sitter meet your pet in front of you. This has a twofold benefit. Initially, you can observe the sitter and how they interact with your pet. Keep a look out for the basic behavioral guidelines of interacting with a cat and see if the sitter is following them. The initial introduction is the demonstration of how the individual is going to interact with the pet when you are gone and if you are not sure now then you should not trust them with your beloved fur babies.

The second benefit is that you get to observe your cat and see how it reacts to the sitter. If the reaction is particularly hostile and they do not like the individual at all then it is a red flag. You may want to interview other people in such a case.

· Let everyone know about the sitter


The last and the final step is after hiring the sitter but is a crucial one. Let every concerned person know that you have hired a sitter and provide the sitters' information if necessary. Let your landlord or neighbor know; also let the vet know so that no inconvenience occurs in case of an emergency.

Another important measure is to stock up all the necessities so the sitter can perform their duties without any hassle. If you have to leave in a hurry and do not find the time to stock up online stores like cat evolution are your best bet.

Ensure you have plenty of suitable food, water bowls, and litter available so that the sitter does not have to guess what to get for your fur babies. Of course, if you can make it easier with some automatic help, such as a self-cleaning litter box or automatic feeder, then the sitter will have more time to spend socializing with your cat.

Hope this list helps you select the perfect sitter for your pet friend and have a carefree, relaxed vacation!

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