Cat Sitting Specialists

What they do

A cat specialist's visit centers on the litter box, fresh water, measured food, and observation. Litter is scooped daily and changed as agreed, because a dirty box is the fastest route to a cat toileting elsewhere. Water bowls are washed, not just topped up, and fountains are cleaned and refilled. Food is served as your cat actually eats it — wet food not left to dry out, grazing dry food measured so appetite changes are visible.

Reading cats is the real skill. A specialist knows a shy cat may be checked by sight under the bed and left in peace, a social cat wants lap time and play with a wand toy, and a cat who suddenly hides, stops eating, or misses the box may be ill or stressed. They watch for the quiet warning signs owners list in their instructions: reduced appetite, over-grooming, vomiting, straining in the box, or unusual vocalising.

Specialists also handle cat-specific home details: keeping doors to forbidden rooms shut, securing windows and escape routes, managing multi-cat feeding so one cat does not eat another's prescription diet, and administering medication to an animal famous for refusing it — using only the method you and your veterinarian have agreed.

Unlike general pet sitters, cat-only sitters do not arrive smelling of the dogs they just walked, keep visits calm and unhurried, and usually will not board cats in a dog household. Many will not force handling for a cute photo; a good report may honestly say your cat watched from the hallway, ate well, and chose not to socialize — and that is a good visit.

Services you can expect

• Daily litter scooping and full box changes
• Measured wet and dry feeding, fountain care
• Play sessions tailored to shy or social cats
• Medication administration as directed
• Multi-cat and separate-diet feeding management
• Brushing and gentle grooming for willing cats
• Health and behavior observation with photo reports
• Plant watering and home checks during visits

What to expect

• Litter, food, and water handled first, then companionship at your cat's pace
• Honest reports — including if your cat hid the whole visit
• Appetite, litter use, and behavior noted each visit, not just 'all fine'
• Escape routes, doors, and windows checked before leaving
• No forced picking up, cornering, or dragging out for photos
• Quick escalation if your cat stops eating or shows signs of illness

How to choose

• Choose cat-only or cat-first experience over a generalist who mainly walks dogs
• Ask how they handle shy, fearful, or territorial cats at the meet-and-greet
• Check they will visit at least once daily — every-other-day is not enough for most cats
• Confirm how they separate diets and medications in multi-cat homes
• Ask what signs of illness they watch for and when they would call you or a vet
• Make sure they are comfortable with your cat's specifics: raw diet, fountain, automatic feeder, or litter robot

Questions to ask

• How often will you visit, and how long will you stay?
• How do you approach a cat who hides from visitors?
• How will you track appetite and litter box use?
• Can you give my cat medication, and what method do you use?
• What do you do if my cat stops eating?
• How do you prevent escapes when you enter and leave?

Red flags

• Suggesting every-other-day visits as standard for a healthy trip
• Reports claiming cuddles and play your shy cat would never accept
• Litter box left unscooped, or water bowls slimy on your return
• Treating cats like small dogs — loud arrivals, forced handling, no patience
• No interest in feeding separation for prescription diets
• Automatic feeder offered as a substitute for visits on a long trip

What affects the price

• Visits per day and visit length
• Number of cats and separate feeding or medication needs
• Litter system and cleaning requirements
• Holiday periods and travel distance
• Extra play, grooming, or plant and home care
• Length of trip