When Should a Cat Sitter Visit? And Other FAQs

If you're new to cat ownership or to using cat sitters, you probably have a lot of questions about how and when a sitter should be caring for your cats. If so, then you’re in the right place.

Our expert sitters can answer all your FAQs about how often and how long professional cat sitters should be visiting.

Does a cat sitter need to visit every day?

Yes! Cats have a reputation as independent creatures who don’t really need us. However, as any cat owner will be able to tell you, they are continually finding new ways to create chaos. So, just because you don’t need to take them out for bathroom breaks, that doesn’t mean you can trust them to also be your house sitter while you’re on vacation. 

Even if your cat is used to having food left out for them at all times, a sitter will still need to make sure that they haven’t spilled the bowl or discovered a new and unique way of shredding your curtains or turning over the litter box. 

Speaking of, experts also recommend that cat litter be scooped at least once per day to avoid cats holding their urine in and developing feline urethral obstruction (FUO). 

How often should a cat sitter visit? 

Routine is important for cats; if they’re used to seeing you in the morning before work and in the evening after, they’ll expect the same from a cat sitter. However, if you work from home and they’re used to having company in the house all day, it may be stressful for them to only receive occasional visits from a sitter. 

You’ll also need to consider important factors like the age of the cat and any health concerns. Younger and older cats need more attention than adult cats and are more prone to getting into accidents around the house. They’ll need to be cared for more frequently, and you may not want to leave them unattended for more than 4 hours. 

If the cat requires medication, talk with your sitter about administration times and any health concerns they need to monitor. In many cases, in-home pet sitting models make the most sense. 

How long should a cat sitter stay? 

While some cats are outgoing and playful, most take a while to adjust to new situations. So if your pet sitter is only staying for a short time to feed them, your cat may not be able to relax enough to play or receive attention. 

The minimum amount of time a cat sitter should spend on each visit is an hour. This gives them time to feed the cat(s), clean the litter box, and gives more playful cats an opportunity to get some laser-hunting in. Cats are highly social creatures, and many of them will also want to spend time being groomed by their sitter or just hanging out with them. 

This is another area where in-home pet sitters shine. They’ll stay overnight with your cats to ensure their safety and keep them company. This also gives shyer cats the time to get to know the sitter and come out of their shell.

Do I need a cat sitter if I have automated cat-care devices? 

Yes, unfortunately, we’re still a few centuries from the fully automated Star Trek life. (And even in the 24th century, Data still used a cat sitter.) Automated devices are great for cutting back on daily chores, but they still need human supervision to make sure they’re functioning properly. 

If there was a power outage or just a malfunctioning error and no one was around to reset the system, your automated feed might not dispense food when it should — leaving your cat without dinner until you return. Automated litter boxes can also prove hazardous due to their moving parts. Kittens and cats with mobility difficulties should never use them without supervision.  

Will my cat be ok if I go on vacation for a month or more? 

If you’ve found a trustworthy and professional in-home cat sitter for them, absolutely! But if you don’t feel confident that your current pet sitter can keep your cats safe and happy while you’re away for a few weeks or a few months, then you probably need to look for a different option. 

Spend time thinking about what your cat needs from a sitter, but also what you need. The right sitter for your household will make both of you feel at ease and should leave you with no doubt that your pets are being cared for in the same way you would. 

If you’re in the San Francisco Bay area, we hope you’ll reach out to us at G&G Pets. Our onboarding process takes pets needs into account individually, so you’ll be able to outline exactly what you and your cats need from a sitter. From there, you’ll be able to search for the perfect sitter for you based on your pet’s behavioral or medical needs. 

Learn more about our services here, or use the button below to view professional sitters who specialize in cats or households with cats and dogs and apply to work with them. 

The information provided by Grand & Graham Pets (G&G Pets) on https://www.grandgrahampets.com is for general informational purposes only. It does not represent medical or training pet care advice. All information on the blog is provided in good faith; however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, or completeness of any information on the blog. Under no circumstances shall we have any liability to you for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the blog or reliance on any information provided on the blog. Your use of the blog and your reliance on any information on the blog is undertaken solely at your own risk. All text content of this blog is the property of Grand & Graham Pets and is therefore subject to copyright protection and not for reproduction or reuse. By accessing or using the website, blog, any materials, content, or intellectual property owned by the Owner, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this Disclaimer. For more information, please see our full Disclaimer.