What do you do when you have an important engagement out of town and cannot travel with your pet cat?
Looking for a credible caregiver to care for your furry companion in your absence might be daunting and challenging.
We understand you do not want to leave your cat with just anyone as you might need someone you can trust who can keep your furry companion happy and healthy as much as they will take care of their child.
But do not worry, in this article, you will learn of tested and trusted ways to give your cat the best experience with someone you can trust to take care of your cat as much as you will.
Ask Family, Friends, and Neighbors:
Family, friends, and neighbors are some of the best and most cost-friendly ways to provide the best possible care for your furry friend in your absence.
There is a high chance one among them might have been familiar with your cat in the past which will be helpful, especially for shy cats.
If you find anyone among the three groups that are familiar with your cat and preferably a pet owner or someone who has experience with cats, you should reach out on time before your trip.
Reaching out before your trip gives both of you time to prepare, and communicate the needs of your cats, your cat’s behavior, as well as their roles while you are away.
You should make sure the needs of your cat such as feeding and feeding schedule, cleaning of the litter box, grooming, etc are well communicated and their roles clearly understood.
By ensuring that, the welfare and temporary transitioning of your furry companion as well as your cat sitter will be smooth.
Pet Boarding Facilities:
In the absence of a reliable and trustworthy friend, engaging the services of a pet boarding facility can be the best available option to offer professional care for your furry friend.
The services of a pet boarding facility are best suited for a friendly cat or a cat that requires special and dedicated care.
In a pet boarding facility, there are different types of domesticated animals present most especially cats and dogs.
They are usually separated to prevent any aggression, stress, or irritation.
They usually provide personalized care for 10-12 hours mostly during the day and additional hours are subject to discussions and an extra cost.
Pet boarding facilities are costly when compared to family, friends, and neighbors options.
If you decide to use a pet boarding facility, make sure you carry a thorough research by asking trusted networks or researching online.
While researching online, you should look at online testimonials, and reviews from other pet owners that must have used their facility in the past.
Ensure to visit to have a first-hand experience while touring and accessing their facilities, amenities, safety protocols, etc.
Important concerns such as socialization, personal space, vet care, feeding, feeding routine, and schedule should be well communicated as well as your cat’s personal needs and preferences.
Check Local Vets and Animal Shelters:
Some veterinarians or animal shelters do offer catting services or they can help recommend you to a trustworthy professional cat sitter within your locality.
Their services are more costly than the family, friends, and neighbors options but cheaper compared to other professional services.
Will My Cat Like the Cat Sitter:
The only way to find out is to properly scrutinize the potential cat sitter by asking questions on how best they can take care of your cat.
Questions such as how they will feed and provide water, clean the litter box, socialize with your cat, etc should be asked.
You should also inquire about their lifestyle to know if it will fit your cat’s behavior and preference.
Lastly, you should initiate a trial opportunity for them to engage with your cat while you watch and make your decision.
When To Look for a Cat Sitter:
According to the proverbs by Benjamin Franklin, in 1735, “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise”.
As soon as you can, you should look for the services of a cat sitter.
It is a difficult decision to leave your furry friend behind and it is more difficult to find and trust the best hand to take good care of them, especially for the first time.
So it is best advised to start the process on time so you can evaluate and settle for the best option available to you.
How Much Will a Cat Sitter Charge:
The fees and services of a cat sitter are flexible depending on the hours, additional or specialized care, type of cat sitter, health status of the cat, etc.
Home services are usually higher than drop-off services for professional cat sitters.
Professional cat sitters who might need to administer drugs or take care of cats that require special care might charge more.
In general, family, friends, and neighbors options are cheaper than professional services with the least professional service being animal shelters.
Taking the above steps not only ensures you find a competent, reliable, and trustworthy cat sitter but also gives you peace of mind when you are away from your furry companion.