The Most Common Questions Cat Owners Asked In 2024

As a cat owner it’s completely natural to have questions about what to expect when hiring a cat sitter. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, it’s always a little bit nerve-wracking to leave your feline in the hands of a stranger! But don’t worry, Cat in a Flat is here to ease your mind with answers to the most common questions cat owners asked in 2024.

Cat Owner Question: What kind of services can I expect from my cat sitter?

What kind of services can I expect from my cat sitter? It’s not uncommon to wonder which tasks your cat sitter can or can’t do. From cleaning your kitty’s litter box to bringing in your mail, here are the basic and not so basic services sitters can offer. 

1. What services do sitters provide?

A common question many cat owners ask is: What sort of services can my cat sitter provide? While these can vary from one to the next, every cat sitter should cover these basic tasks: 

• Clean your kitty’s litter box daily. 
• Feed your cat. This includes managing your furry friend’s diet and eating schedule as per your request. If your feline needs to eat on a schedule more than once per day, consider hiring a sitter for multiple daily drop-in visits, or invest in an automatic feeder.
• Daily playtime. Playing with your cat every day is a necessary part of keeping them happy and healthy. Your sitter should spend time playing and bonding with Mr Whiskers daily. This way your feline is less stressed while you’re away. 

Additional tasks cat sitters offer

As a cat owner, it’s normal to question whether your sitter can perform other tasks too. But always ask before hiring a cat sitter as not everyone will offer the same services. Here are some extra services some carers can provide: 

• Administering medicine. Make sure your sitter feels comfortable giving your fur friend medication and walk them through the steps before you leave. 
• Watering your plants and other home care. Upon request some sitters can perform other chores around the home. 
• Overnight stays. If your kitty is very young or old, has medical issues, or struggles a lot with loneliness when you’re away, having your cat sitter stay overnight may be a better option.

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2. Can I meet the sitter before booking?

Absolutely! In fact, it’s highly encouraged that you do meet your cat sitter before booking them. Aim to arrange a free meet-and-greet a few weeks beforehand so you can see how compatible your sitter is with Mr Whiskers. This way you have the time to book another sitter if you feel they aren’t the right match for you and your kitty.

3. What happens if my sitter cancels?

Emergencies can happen to cat sitters too. So, if in the rare and unfortunate event yours does cancel, we have plenty of other sitters who are able to help. To find last-minute cat care post a job request to our notice board. This will alert sitters in your area so the available ones can contact you.

Cat sitter tip: Always try to have a back-up plan should you have an emergency in the middle of a cat sitting gig. This means having someone on standby who feels comfortable enough to step in in the unlikely scenario you can’t finish your sitting job. 

4. Do sitters stay overnight or visit only during the day?

This is one of the most common questions cat owners ask and can vary from sitter to sitter. Most will indicate in their profile if they offer overnight stays or only daily visits. Obviously, whether you want overnight stays, or a daily drop-in will depend on your feline’s age, health, and other needs. 

5. What if my cat has specific needs or routines?

A good sitter knows that every kitty client has their own unique rituals and routines. Hence, they’re more than happy to accommodate to your fur friend’s specific needs! However, if you do have any special requests related to your kitty’s care, be sure to bring these up during the meet-and-greet. This will ensure that your sitter is comfortable with Mr Whiskers’ requirements. 

Safety and security when hiring a cat sitter

1. Are the sitters verified?

Yes, all sitters go through an onboarding process and agree to our Code of Conduct. If they are police checked, they have a badge on their profile. You should always look at the reviews on a potential sitter’s profile to see what experiences other paw parents have had with them. 

2. How is the key exchange handled?

If the meet-and-greet goes well, this should be the time when you hand over the keys. We recommend walking your sitter through how to use the keys and ask them to lock and unlock the door. Some doors can be tricky, so it’s important to be sure your sitter can get in and out! And your fur friend’s carer should wait until you are home again before returning the keys, just in case you have an unforeseen travel delay.

3. What if there’s an emergency while I’m away?

One of the questions that worries cat owners the most is what happens when there’s an emergency. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong, your sitter should contact you and Cat in a Flat immediately. Make sure to leave information for your vet as well as an emergency clinic your sitter can take your cat to if they’re sick or injured. It’s also a good idea to leave your sitter with the contact info of a few local friends or family members who can step in if there’s an emergency. 

Cat owner question: Is hiring a cat sitter expensive?

Is hiring a cat sitter expensive? The cost of a pet sitter is well worth it. After all, you are hiring someone for the sole purpose of looking after your kitty. However, hiring a cat sitter needn’t break the bank either! It all depends on whether you need once-a-day visits or full-time house sitting. So, lets dive into feline finances!  

1. How much does a cat sitter cost?

Hiring a cat sitter for drop-in visits is usually more cost efficient than boarding your feline! Even better, it’s less stressful as your Mr Whiskers can receive care in the comfort of their home. However, other services (such as overnight stays) can be more costly. Prices also vary by sitter and location, and you can view rates on each sitter’s individual profile.

2. How do payments work?

Payments are securely processed through our platform after you confirm your booking. When paying through Cat in a Flat you are also covered by our Cat in a Flat Guarantee. This means your payment is safe! 

3. Are there extra fees for multiple cats?

Sitters charge per household rather than per cat. However, as multiple cats can mean more work, some may charge an additional fee for households with more than three cats. 

Updates from your cat sitter while you’re away

1. Will I get updates about my cat?

Yes! We encourage our sitters to provide daily updates—this includes photos and videos. But you should still confirm with your sitter when you meet them. Be clear about your expectations. Do you want daily photos and videos? Or is every few days okay? Your sitter will be more than happy to accommodate to what works for you! 

2. Can I contact the sitter while I’m away?

When you meet your sitter, you should exchange phone numbers so it’s easier to stay in touch. However, you can also communicate with them via our messaging system.

Hopefully these common questions from other cat owners (and our answers) have put your mind more at ease! However, if you’re still wondering what your cat gets up to when you’re not around, check out our blog posts on what your kitty does when home alone and how long can you leave a kitten on their own.