5-Step Cat Sitter Checklist: How to Get Ready for a Pet Sitter

How to Get Ready for a Pet Sitter

Getting ready for a trip can be stressful for us pet parents. Getting your cats ready for the cat sitter takes time, and informing your pet sitter of all your cat’s routines and needs can feel overwhelming. So, if you’ve ever wondered ‘how do I set up a cat sitter?’, this guide is designed to make life easier for you and your pet sitter. Here, you’ll find a cat sitter checklist with all the information you’ll need to set up your sitter for success, with even more helpful Cat Mom Life tips in my newsletter here! 

Table of Contents:

5-Step Cat Sitter Checklist:

1. Feeding Instructions Made Simple

When setting up your cat sitter checklist, be sure to explain where the food is kept, were kibble bowls are located, how much should be given, and how often. To make things even clearer, I take a photo of the pre-mixed wet food (referenced below) so our pet sitter knows exactly where to find it in our fridge.

As I describe in my cat care routine guide here, I like to mix up a few day’s worth of my cats’ wet food at a time in a food storage container, along with their daily supplements. This make meal time faster for me in the mornings and evenings — so it also makes it easier on our pet sitters. By giving the sitter a set amount of wet food, my cats still get exactly what they need, even if I’m not home.

That being said, I always leave a can or two extra on the counter by the bowls (I use these for wet food) and spoons, just in case they run out of wet food faster than expected. All things considered, I’d rather they over-ate while I’m away, and giving the cat sitter a buffer makes it easier on everyone involved.

2. Water & Fountain Care

Like with food, I would rather the cats have more water than necessary, rather than too little. So, I put out extra bowls throughout the house, just in case.

If you go this rout, let the pet sitter know where the bowls are so they can be refilled while you are away.

If you have a pet fountain like we do, it is good to give step-by-step instructions on how to refill or troubleshoot the fountain. I show or give detailed written directions to sitters on how to open and refill the fountain — but I also leave a spare bowl nearby, just in case.

For longer trips, you may need to let your pet sitter know how to swap out pet fountain filters, as well. If so, be sure to leave the supplies in an easy-to-access spot to make the task easier on everyone involved!

3. Litter Box & Cleaning Notes

Depending on how long you’re away and your litter box set up, you’ll likely need to ask your pet sitter to scoop the boxes while they’re checking in. Be clear with your cat sitter about where litter boxes are located and how often they should be scooped.

If you have a Litter Robot and are gone for only a few days, your pet sitter can likely forego swapping the bag. However, it is always a good idea to explain how to reset the Litter Robot, in case it gets stuck mid-cycle.

For traditional litter boxes, consider leaving a Litter Genie or trash can and bag nearby to make your sitter’s life easier. Be sure to keep extra clean litter available, as well, so they can refill the boxes (or the Litter Robot) and add litter attractant as needed.

4. Comfort, Hiding Spots, & Routines

Be sure to inform your pet sitter of your cat’s typical hiding spots, so they don’t panic if they don’t see your cat right away. I like to keep a running list of new spots my cats take to, so I can give the pet sitter an up-to-date list. My cat Emory, for example, is always finding new spots to explore in the house, which can be very unnerving if you don’t know where to look.

Similarly, highlight spaces where your cat likes to hang out. Even if the spaces seem out in the open to you, your cat sitter might miss them. Think about cat trees, carriers, and so on. My cats, for example, tend to hang out in their open carriers in our dining room area, but you might miss them because of the shadow if you don’t know to look there.

For your peace of mind and the cats’ anxiety, consider setting up pheromone diffusers before you leave. You can learn more about how cat pheromones work to counter anxiety here.

5. Key Info, Emergency Contacts, & Cameras

Be sure to provide your cat sitter with whatever information they might need while you’re away. Consider the following as part of your cat sitter checklist:

• Your contact info and a backup (IE: trusted friend, neighbor — basically, an emergency contact)
  
  
• Vet info & emergency vet info (phone/address)
  
  
• House access details (keypad/security system numbers if relevant)
  
  
• Travel info (where you’ll be, whether you’ll have cell reception, and when to expect you back)

Reiterate your travel plans, including how long you’ll be away. Also, be sure to keep in contact while you’re gone, in case plans change (IE: if you miss your flight home).

If you have pet cameras set up (I highly recommend these!), let your pet sitter know where they can expect to find them. It’s also good to reassure your sitter that the cameras are not for “checking up” on them, but for monitoring the cats and their supplies. Besides high traffic areas of your home, consider setting one up to face the cat’s food and water bowls, so you can monitor the levels.

Check out my new cat checklist here as a helpful companion for cat parents — it may give you some more ideas on how to set up your pet sitter for your particular situation!

Bonus: Household Notes

While it’s always best to keep it simple for your cat sitter, be sure to mention if you would like them to grab the mail, water plants, or take the trash (or litter box trash, specifically) out. Remember, they are there to check on your cats so the focus should be on cat care, but clarity is always considerate! 

Closing Thoughts

Do you have any useful pet sitter tips or instructions you give when you travel?
Share your ideas in the comments!

Supplies to Make Cat Care Easier

Want to make your cat sitter prep even simpler? Here are some of my favorite products that keep daily cat care stress-free and cat-approved:

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