What Pet Sitting Visits Do I Need For My Shy Cat?

Are you going out of town but are worried about your shy cat? Those of us sharing our lives with shy cats know that they require some special love and attention. As pet sitters, the last thing we want to do it scare your kitty or make her more nervous. We want her to be comfortable and feel as safe as possible in her own home. We also want to make sure she is healthy and you have peace of mind, so we work to find the balance of care that is best for you and your kitty!

Shy Cat Option #1

This is an ideal schedule for cats who are usually fed twice a day.

15 Minute Breakfast Visit

Your sitter will arrive in the morning and enter your home. These visits are just enough time to give your kitty fresh food, water and clean the litter box. Your sitter will monitor all of these to make sure you kitty is using them. Your sitter will also quickly peek in on your kitty to make sure she is safe and alert.

15 Minute Dinner Visit

This visit is the same as the breakfast visit. Your sitter can also alternate some lights to make sure your house looks lived in.

Shy Cat Option #2

Cats that need to be checked on once or only need to be fed once a day are the best fit for this option schedule.

15 Minute Visit

Your sitter will arrive in the morning and enter your home. These visits are just enough time to give your kitty fresh food, water and clean the litter box. Your sitter will monitor all of these to make sure your kitty is using them. Your sitter will also quickly peek in on your kitty to make sure she is safe and alert.

Our Considerations for Shy Cats

For shy cats, there are some very specific steps we take to keep them as safe and relaxed as possible.

Your sitter will want to know where your kitty likes to hide and rest. We will avoid this area except to take a quick peek at your kitty, to make sure she is safe. This space should continue to feel safe for your kitty so we do not want to move into it accidentally.
Cats that are stressed can stop eating, drinking and using the litter box. We make sure to monitor food, water and litter extra closely to make sure they are being used. If we see any signs of concern we investigate further.
For shy cats, we try to make deliberate noises that are not too loud. That can mean talking, shuffling our feet, humming, etc. By creating some noise it allows the cat to know our location in the house without having to strain or guess. This can eliminate a lot of stress.
We love to send updates, but for shy cats, we do not take pictures. We do not want to put that extra stress on your already shy kitty.
- If you travel regularly and think your shy cat will warm up to an idea of more sitter time, then we can discuss setting up longer visits. During longer visits, your sitter can sit in the same area as your kitty, without getting too close. Your sitter can talk to your kitty or just be present, allowing her to get used to a new person. Sometimes kitties will get used to your sitter and come out to ask for attention! We never push this and it always goes at your cat’s pace. We have had some cats that love their sitter after they have a chance to get to know each other!

Time to Customize!

We want to work with you to set up the best possible schedule for your cat, so you are all happy during your trip. We also know that each home is different, and a lot of people have more than just one cat!

After you have the basic idea of your schedule we sit down to figure out the nitty-gritty:

Are there any other pets in the home that need feeding, medication, etc? We make sure your visit has enough time to get everything done.
We like to allow enough time for feeding, changing water, cleaning the litter box and some cuddles (if your cat is so inclined).
There needs to be enough time to clean out food and water bowls, clean up any messes, toys, etc.
Many people who love animals, also love plants! Normal visits have time for a small bit of plant watering. If you have beautiful summer gardens, then we need to see how long they take to the water and add that on to your normal visits.
On your normal schedule, we can complete household tasks like bringing in the newspaper, collecting the mail, turning lights off and on and taking out the trash.
Do you want updates every visit? Many clients do, just keep in mind that your sitter will take 5+ minutes to send an update and that is time during your visit not focused on your pets.
It will take a sitter a bit longer to get the work done then it takes you, especially if you have extensive routines for your pets and home. You have had years to perfect your system! We always try to make sure your pet sitter will have enough time for everything so she will not feel stressed and your pets will receive the focus they deserve.