One of the most important pieces of information you can provide before a trip is your cat's veterinary contact information.
While most cat sitting visits proceed without incident, having accurate veterinary information readily available allows your sitter to respond quickly and appropriately if concerns arise.
A few minutes spent preparing this information can save valuable time during an emergency.
Cats are skilled at hiding illness and discomfort.
If your sitter notices changes such as:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Mobility changes
- Signs of pain
- Unusual behavior
they may need to consult a veterinary professional promptly.
Having current veterinary information available helps ensure the best possible response.
Primary Veterinarian
Please provide:
- Veterinary clinic name
- Veterinarian's name (if applicable)
- Clinic phone number
- Clinic address
Your primary veterinarian is often the best source of information regarding:
- Medical history
- Current medications
- Chronic conditions
- Recent treatments
- Ongoing care plans
Emergency Veterinary Hospital
Emergency situations do not always occur during normal business hours.
For this reason, we strongly recommend providing information for a 24-hour emergency hospital.
Include:
- Hospital name
- Phone number
- Address
If you are located in the Portland metropolitan area, you may wish to identify your preferred emergency facility in advance.
Specialty Veterinarians
If your cat is currently being treated by a specialist, please provide:
- Specialty clinic name
- Veterinarian's name
- Contact information
- Relevant treatment details
This may include:
- Internal medicine specialists
- Oncology specialists
- Cardiology specialists
- Neurology specialists
- Dermatology specialists
Medical Conditions
Providing a brief medical summary can be extremely helpful.
Examples include:
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Heart disease
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Neurological conditions
- Allergies
This information helps us communicate more effectively with veterinary teams if concerns arise.
Current Medications
Please provide information regarding:
- Medication names
- Dosages
- Administration schedules
- Special instructions
This helps ensure continuity of care and accurate communication.
Recent Veterinary Care
Let us know about any recent:
- Surgeries
- Hospitalizations
- Medical procedures
- Medication changes
- Diagnostic testing
Recent medical history can provide important context if your cat experiences changes while you are away.
Treatment Authorization
Before traveling, consider discussing:
- Veterinary treatment authorization
- Financial approval limits
- Emergency decision-making preferences
- Backup contacts authorized to make decisions
Clear expectations help everyone respond appropriately during unexpected situations.
Veterinary information should be reviewed before each trip.
Confirm that:
- Phone numbers are current
- Clinics are still operating
- Emergency hospital information is accurate
- Medical information reflects recent changes
Outdated information can create unnecessary delays.
We Hope We Never Need It
Most cat sitting visits are routine and uneventful.
However, professional care includes preparation for the unexpected.
Having veterinary information readily available helps ensure that if a concern does arise, your sitter can act quickly and confidently on your cat's behalf.
Our Philosophy
At Cats in the City, we believe preparation is an important part of professional cat care.
Accurate veterinary information creates continuity, supports timely decision-making, and helps ensure your cat receives appropriate care if an unexpected medical situation occurs.
Because the best emergency plan is the one that is already in place before it is needed.
Related Articles
- Emergency Contact Information for Cat Sitting
- What Information Should I Leave for My Sitter?
- Preparing Your Home for Cat Sitting
- Medical Cat Sitting
- Senior Cat Sitting
- Emergency Preparedness for Cat Guardians
- What Happens During a Cat Sitting Visit?
Related Articles on Emergency Planning & Medical Preparedness
Preparing veterinary information before a trip helps ensure that sitters can respond quickly and appropriately if concerns arise. These resources explain emergency planning, medical care coordination, and the information professional caregivers need to support your cat safely.
- Emergency Contact Information for Cat Sitting
Learn what emergency contacts should be provided and how backup decision-makers help ensure continuity of care. - What Information Should I Leave for My Sitter?
A complete guide to preparing feeding instructions, medications, routines, emergency contacts, and household information. - Emergency Preparedness for Cat Guardians
How advance planning can help protect your cat during unexpected medical or household emergencies. - Medical Cat Sitting
Learn how professional sitters support cats with chronic illness, medications, specialized diets, and ongoing medical needs. - Senior Cat Sitting
Why older cats often benefit from enhanced observation, continuity of care, and careful monitoring while families travel. - Monitoring Appetite During Visits
Discover why appetite changes are often one of the earliest indicators that a cat may need additional attention. - Monitoring Hydration During Visits
Learn how water intake, urination habits, and hydration trends can provide valuable insight into feline wellbeing. - What Happens During a Cat Sitting Visit?
See how wellness observation, communication, and ongoing monitoring are incorporated into professional cat sitting visits.