Records & paperwork6 min read
Cat medication routine handoff template
Cat medication routines fail when a sitter has to guess. A clear written template prevents missed doses, wrong amounts, and the small stressors that build up over a stay.
The Driyu team
Pet safety editorial
Quick answer: For each medication: name, strength, dose, route (pill, liquid, transdermal), frequency, timing (with/without food), what helps administration, what goes wrong, prescribing vet, refill timing.
The template
- Medication name (as on bottle)
- Strength
- Dose
- Route (pill, liquid, transdermal gel, injection)
- Frequency
- Timing (with food, before food, bedtime)
- What helps it go down (pill pocket, in food, side of mouth)
- What goes wrong (cat spits, hides, refuses food)
- Prescribing vet
- Refill timing
Use human language in the notes
“Two pills at 7 AM with breakfast.” Not “BID PO 8h prior to feeding.” Your sitter is not a vet tech.
Show the routine in real time
The night before you leave, do the medication round with the sitter watching. Then have them do it with you watching. Confidence goes up; mistakes go down.
How Driyu fits
Driyu pet profile carries the medication list. Sitter sees the same brief you read every morning.
Related reads from Driyu
- Senior cat medication routine: a caregiver checklist
- Pet medication tracking and reminders
- Starting a new pet medication: how to update records cleanly
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
What if the sitter misses a dose?
For most cat medications, give when remembered if within a few hours; otherwise skip and resume on schedule. For insulin, anti-seizure, or thyroid meds, call the vet.
Can the sitter give injections?
Some can (insulin for diabetic cats). Confirm comfort level before the trip.
Should I send extra medication?
Send 1-2 days extra in case travel delays.
What about side effects?
List them in the template. “Call vet if drowsiness lasts past noon” is clear.
