Guide · Cats
Cat sitter checklist: what to tell your cat sitter
Cats like their routine. The more your sitter knows about how your cat eats, hides, plays and shows stress, the more normal their days will feel while you are away.
Last reviewed: 1 October 2026
In short
Your cat's daily routine
- Food: brand, amount, times, wet or dry, and where food is kept.
- Treats and foods to avoid: allergies, prescription diets and anything that upsets their stomach.
- Water: where bowls or fountains are and how often to refresh them.
- Litter: where trays are, which litter you use and how often to clean them.
- Indoors or outdoors: whether your cat goes out, the cat flap setting and when they usually come home.
Health and medication
List every medication with the dose, time and how your cat prefers to take it. Mention ongoing conditions, recent illness and what "normal" looks like for appetite, drinking and toileting, so your sitter can spot a change quickly.
Behaviour, hiding spots and handling
- Favourite hiding places, so the sitter can check on a shy cat without panic.
- How your cat shows stress — hiding, over-grooming, hissing or not eating.
- Whether they like being stroked or picked up, and anywhere they dislike being touched.
- How they get on with other pets in the home.
If something goes wrong
Give your vet's name, phone number and address, and the nearest out-of-hours vet. Name an emergency contact who can make decisions if you cannot be reached, and agree how payment will be handled. Leave a carrier where your sitter can find it.
This guide is general preparation advice. Speak to your vet about medical needs or whether your cat is well enough to be left with a sitter.
Common questions
- What should I tell a cat sitter before I go away?
- Share feeding amounts and times, any foods or treats to avoid, medication and how to give it, litter tray routine, whether your cat goes outside, hiding places, how your cat shows stress, your vet's details and an emergency contact who can make decisions while you are away.
- How often should a cat sitter visit?
- Many sitters visit once or twice a day, but the right amount depends on your cat's age, health, medication and how they cope alone. Agree the routine with your sitter and ask your vet if your cat has medical needs.
- Should I keep my cat indoors while a sitter looks after them?
- Some owners keep outdoor cats in while they are away so the sitter can check on them at every visit. Decide this in advance, tell the sitter clearly and make sure your cat has everything they need indoors, including enough litter trays.
- What if my cat stops eating while I'm away?
- Tell your sitter how much your cat normally eats and agree when they should contact you and your vet. A cat that stops eating can become unwell, so a change in appetite should not be ignored.
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