Preparing for a smooth cat sitting experience starts before you leave.
While professional cat sitters are experienced in adapting to different situations, a little preparation during the week leading up to your trip can help reduce stress, prevent last-minute complications, and ensure your cat receives consistent, uninterrupted care.
Think of the week before your trip as an opportunity to set both your cat and your care team up for success.
About a week before departure, review your scheduled services and confirm:
This is also a good time to communicate any changes to your itinerary.
Even small schedule changes can affect care planning.
Cats thrive on routine.
Before you leave, make sure your feeding instructions are current and accurate.
Review:
If anything has changed recently, update your sitter before departure.
One of the most common issues during pet sitting visits is discovering that supplies are running low.
A week before your trip, verify that you have enough:
Whenever possible, leave enough supplies to cover your trip plus several extra days.
Travel delays happen.
Extra supplies create flexibility.
If your cat takes medication, check refill status before leaving.
Avoid waiting until the last minute.
Make sure you have enough medication for:
If your cat receives prescription medication, obtaining refills in advance can prevent unnecessary stress.
Review your emergency contacts and ensure all information is current.
This should include:
If a friend or family member will serve as your emergency contact, let them know before your trip begins.
A week before departure is an ideal time to verify that:
Testing access in advance helps prevent problems later.
Pay attention to any changes in your cat during the week before travel.
Notify your sitter if your cat experiences:
Providing this information allows your sitter to better understand what is normal and what may require attention.
Whenever possible, avoid introducing significant changes immediately before travel.
Examples include:
Cats generally adapt best when routines remain familiar.
The week before your trip is a great time to organize:
Simple organization makes visits more efficient and reduces the chance of confusion.
If this is your first time using a sitter, the week before departure is often the perfect time for a meet-and-greet.
This allows:
The goal is familiarity and preparation—not forcing interaction.
Travel days often become busier than expected.
Completing preparation tasks throughout the week rather than the night before departure helps reduce stress for both you and your cat.
A calm departure often creates a calmer transition.
At Cats in the City, we believe successful cat sitting begins long before the first visit.
The week before your trip is an opportunity to create continuity, reduce uncertainty, and ensure your cat's routines remain as stable as possible while you are away.
A little preparation goes a long way.
Because the best cat sitting experiences don't begin at the front door.
They begin with thoughtful planning, clear communication, and a shared commitment to your cat's wellbeing.