One of the best ways to ensure a smooth cat sitting experience is to leave clear, detailed information for your sitter before you travel.
Even if your cat's routine feels straightforward to you, written instructions help ensure consistency and allow your sitter to provide the best possible care.
The goal is simple:
Help your sitter care for your cat the way you would.
Always provide:
- Your primary phone number
- A secondary phone number (if available)
- Email address
- Travel itinerary (optional but helpful)
- Emergency contact person
This ensures your sitter can reach someone quickly if questions arise.
Leave contact information for:
- Primary veterinarian
- Emergency veterinary hospital
- Specialty veterinarian (if applicable)
Include:
- Clinic name
- Phone number
- Address
- Medical conditions your sitter should be aware of
If your cat has a chronic medical condition, providing a brief summary can be extremely helpful.
Feeding Instructions
Be as specific as possible.
Include:
- Feeding times
- Food locations
- Portion sizes
- Wet food instructions
- Dry food instructions
- Treat guidelines
- Prescription diets
- Multi-cat feeding arrangements
What seems obvious today may be less obvious several days into a trip.
Written instructions help prevent confusion.
Medication Instructions
If your cat receives medication, include:
- Medication names
- Dosages
- Administration times
- Special instructions
- Techniques that work best for your cat
Examples:
- Mixed into food
- Given with treats
- Followed by water
- Administered separately from meals
The more detail you provide, the easier it is to maintain consistency.
Help your sitter understand:
- Number of litter boxes
- Locations
- Preferred litter type
- Any special cleaning instructions
Also note any litter box habits that are normal for your cat but may appear unusual to someone unfamiliar with them.
This is often one of the most valuable sections.
Tell your sitter about:
- Favorite hiding spots
- Preferred sleeping areas
- Favorite toys
- Social preferences
- Handling preferences
- Fears and sensitivities
- Typical daily habits
For example:
- "She usually hides under the bed when visitors arrive."
- "He doesn't come out until the second half of the visit."
- "She loves wand toys but dislikes being picked up."
These details help us understand what is normal for your cat.
Provide clear instructions regarding:
- Keys
- Entry codes
- Building access
- Parking instructions
- Alarm systems
- Gate codes
Reliable access is essential for uninterrupted care.
Emergency Procedures
If an emergency occurs, your sitter should know:
- Who to contact
- Where to take the cat if veterinary care is needed
- Any financial or treatment preferences you wish to communicate
Having a plan in place before you leave helps everyone respond more effectively if concerns arise.
Depending on the services requested, it may also be helpful to include:
- Mail instructions
- Package delivery preferences
- Plant care requests
- Lighting preferences
- Home security information
These details help support both your cat and your home while you are away.
Please let your sitter know about any recent:
- Illnesses
- Veterinary visits
- Medication changes
- Appetite changes
- Behavioral changes
- Household disruptions
Even minor changes can provide valuable context when monitoring your cat.
Keep Instructions Organized
Many guardians find it helpful to create a simple care sheet containing all essential information in one location.
This makes it easy for your sitter to quickly reference instructions during visits.
Remember: there is no such thing as too much useful information.
Our Philosophy
At Cats in the City, we believe successful cat sitting begins with communication.
The more we understand about your cat's routines, preferences, health, and personality, the more effectively we can provide individualized care.
Every cat is unique.
Detailed instructions help us preserve the routines and experiences that make your cat feel safe, comfortable, and supported while you are away.
Related Articles
- Preparing Your Home for Cat Sitting
- Preparing Your Cat for a Pet Sitter
- What Happens During a Cat Sitting Visit?
- What Services Are Included During Visits?
- Medical Cat Sitting
- Senior Cat Sitting
- Emergency Preparedness for Cat Guardians
Related Articles on Preparing for Cat Sitting
Clear instructions help your sitter maintain your cat's routines, monitor wellbeing, and respond appropriately if concerns arise. These resources explain how to prepare your home, organize important information, and create a smooth, low-stress experience for both your cat and your caregiver.
- Preparing Your Home for Cat Sitting
Learn how to prepare supplies, feeding stations, litter areas, and household details before your trip. - Home Access Procedures
How keys, lockboxes, entry codes, parking instructions, and backup access plans help ensure uninterrupted care. - Emergency Contact Information for Cat Sitting
Why emergency contacts, treatment authorization plans, and backup decision-makers are important before travel. - Veterinary Contact Information for Cat Sitting
How current veterinary information helps caregivers respond quickly if medical concerns arise. - What Happens During a Cat Sitting Visit?
See how feeding, wellness observation, enrichment, medication support, and communication come together during each visit. - What Services Are Included During Cat Sitting Visits?
An overview of feeding, litter box care, medications, enrichment, companionship, and household support services. - Medical Cat Sitting
Learn how professional sitters support cats with medications, chronic illnesses, recovery needs, and specialized care plans. - Senior Cat Sitting
Why older cats often benefit from additional planning, observation, and detailed care instructions while their families travel.