The day before your trip is not the time to be scrambling for cat food, searching for keys, or trying to remember your veterinarian's phone number.
Ideally, most preparations have already been completed during the week leading up to your departure.
The day before travel is about confirmation, organization, and peace of mind.
A little attention today helps ensure a smooth experience for both your cat and your care team tomorrow.
Take a few minutes to review your itinerary and verify:
If anything has changed, notify your sitter as soon as possible.
Small schedule changes can affect visit planning and staffing.
Before going to bed, confirm that all necessary supplies are available and easy to find.
This includes:
If supplies are stored in multiple locations, consider consolidating them into one clearly identified area.
The easier it is to locate supplies, the smoother visits tend to be.
Make sure all care information is current and accessible.
Helpful items include:
Many clients find it helpful to leave a printed copy in an obvious location.
If your cat receives medication, organize everything before departure.
Double-check:
Avoid leaving medication questions for the morning of your trip.
The day before departure is a good opportunity to:
These simple tasks help create a clean starting point for your cat's care routine.
Starting your trip with clean litter boxes benefits both your cat and your sitter.
Consider:
This allows your sitter to more easily monitor litter box habits and identify meaningful changes.
Verify:
Home access issues are among the most preventable travel complications.
Place frequently used items in an easily accessible location.
Examples include:
Avoid making your sitter search through cabinets or closets for essential care items.
The day before departure is not usually the ideal time for major changes.
Whenever possible, avoid:
Familiarity helps support emotional stability during transitions.
Many guardians feel guilty about leaving.
Your cat, however, is often most reassured by normalcy.
Enjoy your usual routine together.
Play.
Cuddle.
Brush them if they enjoy it.
Let the day feel familiar rather than emotional or disruptive.
Cats often respond best when departures are calm and predictable.
Travel days can be busy.
The more preparation completed today, the less stress you will experience tomorrow.
And when guardians are less stressed, cats often are too.
At Cats in the City, we believe successful pet sitting begins with preparation.
The day before departure is an opportunity to create clarity, reduce uncertainty, and establish continuity before your trip begins.
When supplies are organized, instructions are clear, and routines remain familiar, your sitter can focus on what matters most: caring for your cat.
Because peace of mind isn't created at the airport.
It's created the day before you leave.
The day before departure is about confirming details, organizing supplies, and making sure everything is ready for a smooth and stress-free trip. These resources provide additional guidance on preparing your home, your cat, and your care instructions before you leave.