Cat Sitter Instructions: What Your Cat Sitter Needs to Know

Cats are often described as low-maintenance pets — and compared to dogs, many are. But cat sitting is not simply "top up the food bowl and leave". Cats are creatures of habit with specific needs, preferred hiding spots and stress responses that a sitter who does not know them can easily miss. This guide covers everything your cat sitter needs to know.

Cat-Specific Needs a Sitter Must Know

Most pet sitter guides are written with dogs in mind. Here are the sections that matter most for cats:

Litter Box Routine

This is non-negotiable. Cats that are not comfortable with their litter box situation will find alternatives — usually somewhere you will not enjoy cleaning.

• Number of litter trays and their locations
• Litter brand and type (cats reject unfamiliar textures)
• How often to scoop (most cats want it done at least once a day)
• Complete clean frequency
• Where to dispose of used litter
• Whether your cat buries their waste or is a non-cover — important to know if the sitter is checking the tray is being used

Feeding Schedule

• Food brand, type (wet/dry/raw) and portion size
• Feeding times
• Whether your cat free-feeds or is portion fed
• Location of food and storage instructions
• Whether multiple cats need to be fed separately (common if one cat is on a prescription diet)
• Treats: allowed or not, and which brand

Where Your Cat Hides When Stressed

A new person in the house, even a familiar one, can cause some cats to disappear completely. Your sitter needs to know this is normal behaviour and where to look to confirm the cat is in the house and not outside.

• Usual hiding spots (under bed, wardrobe, behind sofa)
• Whether your cat comes out for food regardless of stress level
• What "not coming out for food" means and at what point to be concerned
• Whether your cat has an outdoor exit and access

Indoor vs Outdoor Access

• Is your cat indoor-only or does it go outside?
• Cat flap: does it need to be locked at night?
• Whether your cat goes out unsupervised and for how long
• Last spotted time to watch for and when to start being concerned

Behaviour and Personality Notes

• Is your cat social with strangers or shy?
• Does your cat like being picked up or handled? How much is too much?
• Bite or scratch warning signals — what does your cat do before it swipes?
• Favourite play types (wand toy, laser, scrunch-up paper)
• Do not disturb zones (cats that guard certain furniture or spots)

Medications and Health Conditions

• Current medications, dose and timing
• How to give medication (hidden in food, pill pocket, scruffed)
• Known health conditions and what symptoms to watch for
• Vet name and out-of-hours emergency number
• Insurance provider and policy number

Carrier and Travel Notes

If your cat needs emergency vet treatment while you are away, your sitter needs to be able to get them there safely.

• Location of cat carrier
• Whether your cat can be safely picked up and placed in a carrier or whether a towel wrap is needed
• How your cat behaves in the car

Emergency Contacts

• Your number and an alternative if you cannot be reached
• Regular vet
• 24-hour emergency vet
• Microchip number

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a cat sitter visit?

For indoor cats, at least once a day — twice daily is better for sociable cats or those on medications. Outdoor cats that are more independent can sometimes manage with once daily visits provided the sitter checks water, food and litter.

My cat hides from the sitter. Is this a problem?

Not necessarily. Many cats hide from unfamiliar people. The key indicators are: is the food being eaten, is the litter being used, and is the cat visible at night or when the house is quiet? If food and litter are untouched for more than 24 hours, contact your vet.

Do cats need cat sitter instructions?

Yes. Written instructions mean a sitter can refer back to feeding times, medication schedules and emergency contacts without relying on memory or text messages from you while you are supposed to be on holiday.