As a cat sitter I come across a lot of different situations, here are a few that you should read about before taking your holiday. These steps are to keep you cat as safe as possible whilst you are away. Any professional cat should be able to discuss any worries with you , please check your home and ask any questions about cat sitting services with your cat sitter. Here are a few issues that I have come across when cat sitting.
Cleaning products
Make sure you have left your cat sitter all the cleaning equipment needed. Make sure you supply washing up liquid and cleaning cloths or sponges for cleaning your cats food and water bowls and products for cleaning the litter tray. Leave products for floor cleaning , carpet cleaner for any accidents. Leave bags or bin liners so rubbish can be taken away and put in an outside bin.
Food/litter
Make sure your leave you cat sitter enough food for the duration of your break. Leave clear instructions on quantities. Leave out scales for weighing out dried food or measures if needed.
Make sure their is plenty of litter for your cat, try to leave extra in case your cat becomes ill and the litter tray may need to be emptied more often.
Vet visit prior to cat sitting
Let your cat sitter know of any vets visits in the last few weeks. If your cat has been poorly and under the vet for anything then this should be discussed with your cat sitter . If your cat becomes ill whilst you are away this could relate to previous illnesses and can be dealt with quickly. Your cat sitter can keep a close eye on your cat knowing previous illness and treatments at the vets.
Advise about medication
If you think your cat is poorly do not decide to buy medication online. Do visit a vet and get a professional diagnosis and the correct medication. Having visited people who have brought products online to treat their cats illness, eg eardrops or ear powders that can clog up the ears more causing more problems. Do no buy cough medicines online, if you cat is coughing please make a vets appointment as your cat may need antibiotics. For any problems it is always best to consult with your vet.
Flag up issues of illness
If you think your cat may be poorly or have a health issue, then please discuss with your cat sitter. Often I have contacted an owner to say there is a problem with your cat to be told the owner had already noticed the condition but not past the information onto the cat sitter. If you notice something is not right with your cat before your trip, then book in with a vets visit. Your cat may not like going to the vet, but you cat will be more stressed visiting the vets with a cat sitter!
Reed diffusers
Do not leave reed diffusers in any of the rooms your cat has access to whilst you are away. I often have to remove them from the home when you are away. The perfume in reed diffusers can burn your cats skin, once licked from the coat it can be toxic for your cat.
Lilies
Still people do not know how toxic lilies are for cats. I have been in many homes cat sitting to find lilies, these are always promptly removed from the premises. Lilies are highly toxic for cats and most often are fatal! Having arrived at a home where a cat was sitting on the table next to lilies, the pollen had dropped onto the table top. I notice pollen on the paws, so the cat was swiftly taken to the kitchen sink for a bath. Extra care was taken to watch this cat closely for any signs of poisoning.
Turn off your ovens/hob
Before you leave for you holiday make sure you have turned of the oven/hob on the wall. I have been to cat sit two cats who are allowed on the kitchen work surfaces to find they had walked over the hob and turned on the hob ring. This could have ended up with the cats being burnt or even a fire in the home. Switch off electric points to prevent the oven coming on.
Leave toys for your cats
If you have young cats please leave out toys for them to play with. When you are away you cats become very bored, especially if they have been shut into a room in the house and do not have access to the whole house. Leave them extra playthings to keep the stimulated to prevent boredom.
Be honest about behaviour/toileting
Make sure your are honest with your cat sitter about your cats behaviour. Many cats can show aggression to your cat sitter as they become territorial in the home. If you suspect your cat can become aggressive please inform your cat sitter so they can put things in place to calm your cat. Again be honest about your cats toileting issues, if your cat has issues please discuss this at the meet and greet. Leave out extra cleaning products and puppy pads so you sitter can keep your home as clean as possible.
Have your cat registered with a vet
Make sure your cat is registered with a vet before booking cat sitting services. Many times I have visited a meet and greet to find the cat is not registered to any vet. This is a must, if your cat is not registered with a vet it can not be treated if it becomes ill.
Do not leave food out if your cat is a thief
There are certain cats that will just help themselves to food even if it is still in the wrapper. I have been to visit cats that have got the treat from the side and eaten the treats with the wrapper. ( usually the sticks in the foil wrapper) Anything like this could cause sickness, so these cats have to be monitored closely in case they become ill. If you know your cat is a thief please leave food and treats somewhere they can not get access to.
Change in diet
Any change in diet since previous visits must be discussed with your cat sitter.
Clean feed bowls
Make sure you keep your cats water and food bowls clean. Dirty bowls hold bacteria with could cause your cat illness. I often turn up to a cat sitter job and the bowls look like they haven't been cleaned for a while, make sure you look after your cats bowls and dishes.
Move litter box away from food and water
So many people place the food bowls and water bowls next to the litter box. However this is not hygienic. Would you eat next to your toilet? Move water and food to a different location.
Any questions feel free to contact us at The Cat Company
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