The cat sitter handoff: a calm checklist for shy-cat households
A cat-sitter brief should explain the individual cat’s routine, care needs and contacts. Show the sitter what to check and keep the household details private.
THE DRIYU JOURNAL
Emergency & Safety
In this reading
Quick answer: leave the feeding, water and litter routine, current veterinary instructions, usual behavior and contact plan. Agree how the sitter will check on the cat. Share hiding places privately; the public profile is not a household notebook.
A note about veterinary care
This article is for organization and general education only. It is not veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always ask your veterinarian about your pet's health, medications, vaccinations, weight, symptoms, or care plan.
Set expectations first
Describe the behavior you have actually observed. Agree how the sitter will check on a cat that hides, without assuming every cat will appear after a set number of visits.
Leave the agreed plan in writing so the sitter can check it and contact you with questions.
Seven fields a cat sitter reads first
- Feeding: brand, amount, timing, where the food lives.
- Water: location, refresh daily, dishes vs. fountain.
- Litter: location, scoop frequency, where waste goes.
- Hiding places: explain these privately and agree how to check on the cat.
- Observations: record food, water and litter use; these do not by themselves prove the cat is well.
- When to seek help: follow the veterinary plan and ask for advice promptly if the cat stops eating or appears unwell.
- Emergency contacts: you, a local backup, your vet, nearest emergency clinic.
What not to do
- Do not pull a hiding cat out for petting
- Do not move the litter box
- Do not introduce new toys or treats during the visit
- Follow the agreed safe access plan and local requirements; owner permission alone does not make unsupervised outdoor access safe.
- Do not invite guests or pet-sit other animals in the home
Multi-cat household notes
For several cats, label each routine and explain which instructions belong to which animal. Share any household diagrams or photos privately.
Medication handoff
Provide the current written veterinary instructions, medication packaging and prescribing clinic’s contact. Agree who records each completed task so the next caregiver can see what has already happened.
How Driyu fits
Use Family Sync for caregiver access when available on your account. View Only permits reading; Guardian permits editing pet information and lost mode, with medical access also subject to the account’s plan limits. An emergency contact is not a Family Sync invitation. Check access before the stay and review or remove membership afterward; do not assume it expires with your trip.
The public tag page is not a private care notebook. Saved temperament and behavior notes can appear publicly. Keep household hiding places, entry codes and travel arrangements in a direct private handoff. See what the public page shares.
Related reads from Driyu
- The pet sitter handoff: what to leave with whoever watches your pet
- Cat scratching and enrichment: notes to leave with a caregiver
- Senior cat medication routine: a calm caregiver checklist
Sources and further reading
- Pet Sitters International
- National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS)
- Cornell Feline Health Center — Appetite loss
Frequently asked questions
How often should a cat sitter visit?
Agree on visits that meet this cat’s needs, including the veterinary care plan where relevant. A generic daily-visit schedule is not a guarantee of adequate care.
What if my cat does not eat for the sitter?
If the cat stops eating, seek veterinary advice promptly rather than waiting for a universal 24-hour threshold. Cornell’s appetite-loss guidance explains why this needs attention.
Should the sitter take pictures?
Agree on useful updates and photos through a private channel. Photos alone do not establish that the cat is well.
How long can a cat be left with sitter visits only?
Plan coverage for the whole absence with the caregiver, taking the individual cat’s needs into account. Do not assume that once-daily visits make any week-long absence suitable.