Cat sitting: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What cat sitting is

A cat sitter visits your home to feed your cat, scoop the litter, play, give medication if needed and check on your cat's health and comfort. Cats usually stay in their own home, which keeps their routine and territory familiar while you are away.

Signs you need it

  • You are away for a short trip and your cat should stay in its own home
  • Your cat is shy or anxious and does better in familiar surroundings
  • You have a cat that needs a medication schedule while you are gone
  • You want someone to check on your cat's litter, food and water every day
  • You have more than one cat and want each one cared for during the visit

What the pro does

  • Meets your cat and learns its feeding, litter, play and medication routine
  • Writes a care plan with food amounts, visit times and any special steps
  • Visits on schedule to feed, water, scoop litter and refresh the bowls
  • Plays with your cat and watches for hiding, low appetite or other changes
  • Gives medication only as you have written it, and records each dose
  • Sends you an update with a photo or a note after each visit

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The number of cats and how much care each one needs
  • The number of visits per day and how long each visit lasts
  • Whether medication, special feeding or grooming is included
  • Whether the sitter cleans the litter box and the cage or room
  • Whether extra services such as plant care or mail pickup are included
  • How far the sitter travels to reach your home

What a written quote should spell out

  • The number of cats and the care for each one
  • The visit times and how many visits are included
  • Whether medication, litter cleaning and updates are included
  • Whether extras such as plant care or mail pickup are included
  • The cancellation terms and any travel fee

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you visit at the times I need, and for how long?
  • How will you handle a cat that hides or will not come out?
  • Do you give medication, and how do you record each dose?
  • How will you clean the litter box, and what do you use?
  • What is your plan if my cat seems unwell?
  • Are you insured, and do you have pet first aid training?
  • How do you keep my home secure during each visit?

Red flags

  • Does not visit at the agreed times or cuts the visit short
  • Does not ask about your cat's medication, diet or health history
  • Lets the cat outside or leaves a door open
  • Does not clean the litter box as the plan says
  • Has no emergency plan or no vet they will call

What you can do yourself

You can prepare for a cat sitter by writing the feeding amounts, the litter routine, the medication times and your vet's number. Leave a labeled supply of food and litter, and a spare key with the sitter. Hire a cat sitter for multi-day trips, for cats with medication schedules, or for a shy cat that needs a calm, consistent visitor.

Licenses and permits

A license is often not required for cat sitting, but rules differ by state and city. Ask for proof of pet first aid training, a current insurance policy and a written emergency plan.

Cat sitting questions

Will my cat come out to see the sitter?

Some cats do and some do not. Ask the sitter to visit a few times before you leave, so the cat gets used to them. A shy cat may only come out after several visits.

What should I leave for the cat sitter?

Leave the written plan, the food, the litter, the medication in labeled containers, your vet's contact and a spare key. Note any spot where your cat likes to hide.

How do I know my cat is okay?

Ask for an update with a photo after each visit. Agree on a way to reach you, and ask the sitter to call right away if your cat seems unwell.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More pet care guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request cat sitting