Happy Cats at Home: a Guide for Owners and Sitters
Leaving your cats at home can be a worrying time for any pet owner. Cats are creatures of habit, and even small changes in their environment or routine can lead to stress. This article is designed to provide helpful cat care tips specifically for cat sitters, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience for your feline holiday companion. Whether you’re a seasoned cat sitter or someone looking after a cat for the first time, understanding the basics of cat care can make a significant difference. From maintaining their daily routines to ensuring they feel safe and loved, these insights will help keep your cat happy and comfortable.
Maintaining a Comfortable and Familiar Environment
For cats at home, maintaining a sense of familiarity and comfort is crucial. Cats are creatures of habit, and they thrive on routine and predictability. As a live-in cat sitter, one of your primary responsibilities is to ensure the cat’s environment remains as consistent as possible.
Begin by adhering to their usual feeding schedule. Cats find comfort in knowing when their next meal is coming, so stick to the owner’s specified times. Additionally, keep play sessions and litter box maintenance on a regular timetable. This consistency helps the cat feel secure and reduces stress.
Familiar items also play a significant role in making a cat feel at ease. Ensure their favourite bedding, toys, and scratch posts are easily accessible and remain in their usual spots. These items carry the cat’s scent and provide a reassuring sense of normalcy.
Another tip is to avoid making any changes to the layout of furniture or cat-related items in the home. Cats are highly sensitive to their surroundings, and even small alterations can be unsettling. Try to keep items in their usual places to help the cat feel more at home.
By focusing on these cat care tips, you can create a stable and comforting environment for the cat, making your pet-sitting experience smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Communication and Interaction with Your Cat Companion
Building a rapport with a cat is essential, especially if he or she is shy or nervous. Be calm and patient around the cat, allowing them to come to you on their own terms. Avoid the temptation to make friendly advances too early; making sudden movements or loud noises can startle them.
Understanding the cat’s body language can also be helpful. Signs of a relaxed cat include a raised tail, slow blinking, and purring. Conversely, a tucked tail, flattened ears, hiding or hissing may indicate they are feeling anxious or threatened. Respect these signals and give the cat space if they seem uneasy.
Interactive play can be a great way to bond with the cat, but it’s important to gauge their mood first. Some cats may be eager to chase a feather toy or bat at a string, while others may prefer to watch quietly from a distance. Offer toys that the owners have indicated the cat enjoys and observe their reaction. If they seem interested, engage in play; if not, let them be.
Talking to the cat in a soft, soothing voice can also help to build trust. Narrating your actions or simply chatting can make your presence more familiar and less intimidating. Over time, the cat will likely become more comfortable around you, making your pet-sitting experience enjoyable for both of you.
Ensuring a Safe Home
A safe environment is paramount for cats at home. Start by checking the living space to minimise any potential hazards that may have been left inadvertently by the owners. Keep windows closed, if they are not fitted with screens, to prevent nervous cats from looking for an escape. Move or secure any items you feel may be harmful or able to be knocked over, such as indoor plants, cords, and chemicals that a curious cat might investigate. Common plants like lilies can be highly toxic to cats, so please check what flowers or plants may cause an issue before bringing them into the owners home.
Inspect the home for small objects that a cat could swallow, and ensure cords from blinds or electronics are tucked away to avoid entanglement. Keep cleaning supplies and other chemicals securely stored in cupboards, as some cats can be quite adept at opening doors.
It’s also wise to check for any gaps or holes in walls, cabinets, or under furniture where a cat might hide or get stuck. Make sure that doors to the outside are always securely closed, and inform anyone else that may be visiting about the importance of being vigilant.
By taking these precautions, you can create a secure and safe environment that allows the cat to explore and relax without unnecessary risks.
Health and Hygiene of Cats at Home
Maintaining the cat’s health and hygiene is essential for their overall well-being. Keep an eye on their appetite, litter box usage, and general behaviour. Any sudden changes could be a sign of stress or illness, so it’s important to be observant. It may help to keep a note of behaviour and health signs over a number of days to enable you to reference them if needed. Regular grooming is also vital if you are looking after a long-haired breed. The cat’s owners will be able to provide you with details and grooming tools to do the job. Brushing long-haired breeds helps prevent mats and reduces shedding, which is particularly beneficial. Additionally, periodically watch for signs of discomfort affecting their ears, eyes, and teeth. Cats are notoriously stoic when it comes to discomfort, so any change should be noted.
It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with common feline health issues, such as worms, fleas or ticks, and know how to spot them. The owner will be able to let you know when they last received treatment, or whether treatment is due during your stay. If you do need to administer a flea or tick treatment, ask the owner how they go about this.
Ensure the cat has access to fresh water at all times and that their feeding area is kept clean. Clean the litter box daily to avoid any hygiene issues and to keep the cat (and you!) comfortable.
Finally, make sure to follow any specific health instructions provided by the cat’s owner, such as administering medications or adhering to dietary restrictions. Keeping these health and hygiene tips in mind will help ensure the cat remains happy and healthy during your care.
Keeping Cats at Home Entertained
Cats are intelligent and curious creatures, so keeping them entertained is crucial for their mental and physical well-being. Interactive play is a fantastic way to engage a cat’s natural hunting instincts and keep them active, as well as creating a bond. Feather toys, laser pointers, and puzzle feeders are excellent choices that provide both exercise and mental stimulation. Ask the owner to provide any toys they know their cat enjoys. Rotate these toys regularly to prevent boredom and keep the cat interested.
Simple household items can also become engaging toys. Crumpled paper balls, cardboard boxes, and paper bags can provide hours of fun. Just ensure there are no small parts that could be swallowed, sharp edges or handles that could inadvertently fit around the cat’s neck and frighten them.
Finally, interactive sessions don’t have to be long; even short bursts of play can make a significant difference. Aim for multiple short sessions throughout the day to keep the cat entertained and engaged. These activities not only provide physical exercise but also strengthen trust between the cat and the sitter, making the experience enjoyable for both of you.
Being Prepared for Emergencies
Emergencies can happen at any time, even to cats at home, so it’s essential to be prepared. First, ensure the owners have the contact details of Cherrybrook Vet Clinic easily accessible. It’s useful to know our location and opening hours, as well as our 24-hour emergency service contact as well. Make sure you have been given a list of any medications the cat is taking, along with any health history, in case you need to relay this information quickly. Ensure you know where the cat’s carrier is, in case you need to take it to the vet, you don’t want to be hunting around for a method of transportation if you’re feeling stressed.
Familiarise yourself with the cat’s regular behaviour and eating habits, so you can identify any sudden changes that might indicate a problem.
Make sure you have the pet owner’s contact information and a backup contact in case you need to make urgent decisions. If the cat has any specific health conditions, be sure to understand the signs of distress and the appropriate actions to take. Being proactive and well-informed will help you handle any situation confidently, ensuring the cat remains safe and well-cared for.
Top Tips for Looking After Cats at Home
Ensuring the well-being of cats at home, while their owner is away, involves a combination of maintaining routines, providing a safe and familiar environment, and offering engaging activities. By focusing on these key areas, you can help minimise stress and keep the cat content. Being observant and attentive to the cat’s needs will make your pet-sitting experience smoother and more enjoyable for both you and the cat. Building a rapport with the cat and understanding their behaviour will also contribute to a successful and rewarding pet-sitting period.
Here’re our top 5 items to have on hand when beginning your stay:
- Detailed Instructions from the Owner:
Feeding schedule, portion sizes, and any dietary restrictions.
Routine care instructions, such as litter box cleaning and play preferences. - Emergency Contact Information:
Vet clinic contact details (Cherrybrook Vet Clinic).
The owner’s phone number and a backup contact person. - Access to the Cat’s Supplies:
Food and treats.
Litter, scooper, bags and instructions for disposal.
Toys, scratching posts, and grooming tools.
A secure cat carrier - Familiar Items for the Cat:
Favourite toys, blankets, or bedding to provide comfort and reduce stress. - Cleaning Supplies:
Paper towels, pet-safe cleaners, and trash bags for accidents or spills.
And our top tips for a successful stay when looking after cats at home:
- Knowledge of the Cat’s Personality:
Understand if the cat is shy, playful, or prone to hiding.
Tips on how to approach the cat based on its temperament. - Time for Bonding:
Allocate dedicated time for play and interaction to build trust.
Respect the cat’s boundaries if it needs space. - Cat-Proofing Awareness:
Keep harmful plants, cords, and small objects out of reach.
Ensure all doors and windows are secure to prevent escape. - Observation Skills:
Monitor for changes in behaviour, appetite, or litter box habits that might indicate stress or illness. - Patience and Calm Demeanour:
Cats can sense stress, so staying calm and patient helps create a comfortable environment.
If you ever need further guidance or run into any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional advice. Cherrybrook Vet Clinic is here to support you with expert cat care tips and emergency services, ensuring that your feline friend remains happy and healthy throughout your time together.
If you have any questions, feel free to call us on 02 9980 1800 between 8:30am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, and between 8:30am and 12:30pm on Saturday.