Meet and Greet How-To: Key Questions Cat Sitters Should ALWAYS Ask

You want to make a great impression when meeting a client for the first time. For cat sitters, a meet and greet provides the opportunity to not just learn about your new furry friend, but to make sure their paw parents feel comfortable leaving their care in your hands. Part of providing a great service as a cat sitter is knowing what questions to ask during your meet and greet. Not to worry, Cat in a Flat has you covered! Read on for our guide of key questions you should ALWAYS ask a new cat sitting client.

What questions should I ask first during a meet and greet?

What questions should I ask first during a meet and greet? Learning the basics about your furry friend is a good place to start during a meet and greet. This is your opportunity to get a feel for their personality. You can also see how they react when meeting someone new (like you) for the first time. Here are some essential questions to start with: 

• What’s your cat’s name, age, and breed? Care can vary depending on whether you’re looking after a kitten or an older cat. Certain breeds may have specific care requirements too. 
• Does your cat have any medical conditions or take medication? If possible, ask your client to save a dose for the meet and greet. This way they can show you and/or watch you administer the medicine to their fur friend. 
• Is your cat shy, sociable, territorial, or independent? It’s important to understand your kitty client’s personality so you can provide the right care. Make sure you know how to care for an aggressive or shy feline. 
• How does your cat usually react to new people? 
• Where does your cat like to hide, sleep, or relax? You’ll want to get a visual of your client during each cat sitting visit. Hence, it’s good to know Mr Whiskers’ usual hiding and sleeping spots.  
• Is your cat allowed outdoors, or strictly indoors? Always make sure you feel completely comfortable letting a new kitty client outdoors—even with the go-ahead from their paw parents. If possible, request that the cat stay indoors while you’re cat sitting. This will help avoid the stress of a cat potentially going missing or refusing to come indoors while their owners are away.

Cat sitting basic care

Now that you know a bit about your furry friend’s personality and habits, it’s time to learn about their basic care. During your meet and greet you should ask your client to walk you through their kitty’s daily eating schedule and litter box maintenance. 

Feeding and routine

• What and when should I feed your cat? Every client is different. Make sure you understand what type of food to feed your fur client and when. 
• Where is the food stored, and how much should I give? 
• Any treats or dietary restrictions I should know about? Some cats may have allergies and therefore can’t have certain types of treats. Or Mr Whiskers may be overweight and hence on a diet. Make sure you clearly understand any dietary restrictions. 
• Do you want food/water bowls washed daily?

Litter box maintenance

• Where is the litter box located? Don’t just clean the litter boxes, keep an eye on your furry client’s toilet routine too. A cat’s poop and litter box usage is usually an indicator of their overall health. 
• Where can I dispose of the poop/litter?

When cat sitting for a long time:

If you have a longer gig, ask about how and when to replace the litter in the trays completely.

• Where do you store fresh litter? 
• Where/how do you replace the litter?

What should I do in a cat sitting emergency?

What should I do in a cat sitting emergency? An emergency is unlikely to happen, but you should still be prepared just in case. Make sure you have all the emergency information you need before you client leaves their cat in your care. Remember to ask:

• Do you have a preferred vet? Request their vet’s contact info and, if possible, the information for a local friend or family member who can step in in an emergency. Also make sure that your client leaves your name with Mr Whiskers’ vet so they know who you are if you need to bring your fur friend in. 
• In case of an emergency, how would you like me to handle it?
• Is your cat microchipped? Do they wear a collar? This is especially important if your client wants you to let their kitty go outside. 
• Are there any signs of illness or behaviour I should watch for?

Basic cat sitting logistics

Obviously, your main job is to make sure your furry friend’s needs are met. This includes feeding them,cleaning their litter boxes, and daily playtime. However, during a meet and greet, don’t forget to ask about the logistics of your client’s home and communication style! 

Around the house

• Where will I find keys, alarm codes, or entry instructions? It can be worth asking as well if a local friend or family member has a spare set of keys. This is helpful if something goes wrong, and you can’t access the home. 
• Are there any areas of the home the cat should avoid? During the meet and greet be sure to ask about keeping windows and doors opened or closed. 
• Where are the cleaning supplies if needed? Some household supplies can be toxic to cats and may need to be kept out of paw’s reach. Make sure you know where your client keeps them in case there is a cleaning emergency. 
• Do you have cameras in the house (just for awareness)? Many pet owners have pet cams so they can keep an eye on their felines while they’re gone. Don’t forget to ask if your client has them and where they are located. 
• Do you need me to water plants, take in post, etc.? Doing a few simple tasks around the home is part and parcel of being a cat sitter!
• Should I open/close curtains or adjust lights while you’re away? This can help make the house look lived in so it’s less of a target for burglars. House sitting is also a great alternative for anyone who wants their home occupied more full-time while they’re gone. 

Updates and communication

• Preferred platform for updates (WhatsApp, SMS, app, email)? Also ask how often they would like to receive updates and if they’d like daily photos and videos of their cat too. 
• Is there anything in particular you’d like me to keep an eye on?

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Bonus tips for your first cat sitting meet and greet!

It’s never easy to leave a beloved fur friend in the hands of a stranger—even if they are a trustworthy cat sitter like you! Put your new client at ease by bringing a notebook along to the meet and greet or use our handy Meet & Greet Info Sheet to take notes about their kitty’s care. You want to be friendly but professional. It can sometimes help to wrap up your meet and greet by asking: 

• Is there anything else I should know about your cat’s routine or personality?
• Would you like to do a trial visit before your trip?

It’s important your client feels they can trust you to provide great care. Asking these key questions will reassure them that you have all your bases covered and you’re prepared for any scenario that may arise while they’re away. This way they can have peace of mind leaving Mr Whiskers in the very capable hands of a five-star cat sitter!