The Ultimate Cat Sitting Checklist

This Ultimate Cat Sitting Checklist is a sponsored post.
You’ve finally booked that well-deserved vacation – the one you’ve been waiting to take for over a year, but when you get home, your cat gives you the STARE. In most situations, it’s better to leave your kitty at home, where they are most comfortable. Cat care when you’re out of town goes well beyond a good cat sitting checklist, but it’s a start. There are a number of things you want to make sure you talk to your cat sitter about before you’re leaving on a jet plane.

You can either hire someone to take care of your cat at home or you can board your kitty. My last kennel experience was a horrible one, so I prefer to have someone we know come in and care for Nixie and Milo.

I’m also fairly certain they don’t ever want to leave comforts of home.

The Ultimate Cat Sitting Checklist

Kitty Details
Our neighbor usually takes care of Nixie and Milo, but if you're using someone "new" it's good to include details on your cat sittig checklist like names, descriptions and basic details about them.

Veterinary Information
Make sure you leave your veterinarian's name, address, phone number and office hours. Don't forget a letter authorizing your pet sitter by name to seek emergency care for your cat(s.) If your cat is chipped, let your sitter know!

Where You’ll Be
Leave your itinerary and contact number on your cat sitting checklist. Let your sitter know they can call you if they have questions about your cats care. You may even want to set up a Facetime call for your cats.

Instructions for Feeding
Nixie and Milo are fed at the same time every day. As we approach that time, Nixie starts going CRAZY. To make it easier on a cat sitter, I leave SHEBA® PERFECT PORTIONS™ - they are the perfect portions for feeding my sweet kitties. Each serving includes the right amount of ounces per kitty – so they don’t overeat and also there is no waste. SHEBA® WHAT CATS WANT™ - just ask my kitties! Make sure there is always fresh water and that pet dishes are kept clean.

Cleaning the Litterbox
Earlier this summer, be built a catio and moved the litter box outside. It takes more effort to make sure it’s kept clean, but it also keeps the stink down. Make you're your cat sitter keeps things scooped and also to keep an eye out for any red flags. Loose stools, or stools with mucous or blood are all reasons to call your veterinarian without delay. If you’re going to be gone more than a few days, leaving fresh litter isn’t a bad idea either.

Playing with Cats
Cat sitting is more than dumping some food in a bowl and scooping the cat box. Ask your cat sitter to play with your cats, and maybe even leave them some treats to give them (under supervision of course) SHEBA® Meaty Tender Sticks are savory snacks for your kitty, and a treat for them whether you are at home or away.

Everything else:
Don’t forget to talk to your cat sitter about other important things. I don’t let my cats outside other than their catio. Nixie will try her hardest to tell you otherwise, so I make sure anyone who is taking care of her and Milo know that. If my kitties were on medication, I’d let the sitter know about that too.

Feeling overwhelmed? I've created this handy FREE cat sitting checklist you can download and print out to use.

The alternative: Taking Your Cat With You
If you want to take your cat with you, make sure they are microchipped! Get them a collar with an ID tag and make sure everything is up to date. When riding in the car, the safest place for them and you is in the carrier. Don’t forget their water dish and SHEBA® PERFECT PORTIONS™ for easy feeding on the go!

Don't forget to pin this cat sitting checklist for later!