Cat Sitting
A very independent pet, the cat loves comfort. Comfortably lying in its home, it is sometimes difficult for it to leave. Unlike dogs, cats do not need to be walked or taken outside to relieve themselves.
Thus, a cat is a pet that can manage on its own. However, this is not a reason to leave it alone during a prolonged absence. For the well-being of your cat, it is advisable to find a cat sitting service.
What is cat sitting?
Opting for cat sitting means entrusting your pet to professional, reliable, and specialized individuals in pet care. Passionate about their work, these people will take care of your cat during your regular or occasional absences.
Being prepared to have your cat looked after
This preparation concerns both you and your cat. It is a very important step. You must be psychologically ready to entrust your cat to a professional service or a family.
Your cat will also have to stay with people it may not know well. To reassure it, consider providing its usual kibble or wet food, toys, and/or objects imbued with its scent.
Why opt for cat sitting for your pet?
It is strictly discouraged to leave a kitten under 3 months old alone for more than 4 consecutive hours. This is very dangerous for your pet. It may fall when climbing, ingest plants, electrical wires, etc. When very young, your cat can easily become stressed and develop behavioral disorders.
Cat sitting: what solutions are available?
Several solutions are available for cat sitting during your absence. You can have a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or someone else come to your home to take care of your cat.
You can also change its location by placing it in a foster family, leaving it with someone (neighbor, friend, etc.), putting it in a boarding facility, a cat hotel, or opting for a cat sitter.
- Cat boarding
Cat boarding is a facility designed to accommodate your pet. In this place, you will find competent, reliable, and professional individuals specializing in cat care. Their love for pets allows them to provide a warm welcome to your cat while taking good care of it in your absence. Your pet becomes a temporary resident in a specialized facility for cat accommodation.
The staff at the cat boarding facility will ensure your cat has a comfortable environment, a balanced diet, security, health monitoring, and hygiene care. There are different types of cat boarding facilities, ranging from basic to luxurious, with varying prices.
- Cat daycare
Cat daycare is a specially arranged space for your cat during your absence. You entrust your pet to professionals who are accustomed to caring for animals. Specialized in the field, they can consult a veterinarian if they notice any abnormalities in your cat.
As a cat sitting location, your pet will find other feline friends to keep it entertained and brighten its day while you are away. Sometimes, your cat may feel stressed due to the change in environment, which may require an additional budget for your absence.
When taking your cat to a daycare, remember to check the designated spaces for cats, the brands of food provided by the daycare, sign a care contract allowing them to take your cat to a vet in case of illness, and bring some toys and a blanket for your cat.
- Cat sitting at home
Comfortably settled in its territory and attached to it, it would be difficult for a cat to leave this place. The change could cause significant consequences for your pet. Your cat may become disoriented and stressed by this change.
You can avoid this by keeping your cat at home. Organize yourself so that someone comes to take care of your pet. A family member, a friend, or even a neighbor can do this in your absence. They simply need to feed it, give it water, pet it, clean its litter box, and play with it.
The most important thing is to choose a trustworthy person who loves animals. This person should visit your home daily and be able to meet your pet’s needs.
- Cat sitting with a foster family
If you do not want to leave your cat alone in your home, you can entrust it to a reliable family. You can send it to a neighbor or find a foster family for cats.
You will need to pay the fees for the care of your pet. If you have previously been asked by a family to take care of their cat, you can also ask for their help in looking after your cat.
- A pet sitter for your cat
A pet sitter is also called a “cat sitter.” Just as there are babysitters, there are also cat sitters. With this option, your cat can stay in its familiar environment. The only difference between this and in-home cat sitting is that you must pay the person responsible for caring for your pet.
You are entrusting your cat to a professional—someone experienced in taking care of cats. They can provide you with daily updates on your pet and spend time with it. Cats do not need to be taken outside as they have a litter box for their needs.
Since you are leaving your home in the hands of someone unfamiliar, it is important to meet with them beforehand. Establish trust, provide important information about your cat (its needs, playtime, etc.), and for added security, make a duplicate key for your house. Also, sign a contract that includes your cat’s veterinarian’s contact details so the sitter can take it for medical attention if needed. The cost will depend on your pet sitter.
- A cat hotel
A cat hotel is a boarding facility where everything is set up to accommodate your cat. It is a larger, well-equipped, and more luxurious boarding facility. Here, cats are treated like royalty. Individual rooms come with premium kibble, spacious gardens, and more.
Your cat will have access to a professional team that ensures its care and well-being. It is a peaceful environment for your pet. When choosing a cat hotel, visit the location in advance to assess the space and services provided.
- The cat kennel
The cat kennel service is a specialized facility equipped with specific installations (individual boxes or lodgings) or a cattery for accommodating your pet. The facility provides enclosed spaces where your cat can play and relax. Kennels typically care for both cats and dogs. As professionals in the field, they are capable of looking after your cat while you are away.
Cat sitting during vacations
If you are going on vacation and cannot take your cat with you, one solution is to opt for cat sitting during your trip. There are several options available for cat care:
- Leaving your cat with a foster family
- Hiring a cat sitter
- Boarding your cat in a cat pension
- Opting for in-home cat sitting
- Placing your cat in a cat hotel
- Using a cat kennel service
What is the cost of a cat boarding facility?
The cost of a cat boarding facility varies based on the type of service you choose, your location, and the specific needs of your pet. Be cautious of individuals offering unusually low rates. Here is a general price range:
- For in-home cat sitting, the price depends on the number of daily visits. Rates range from 9 to 20 euros.
- For foster families, the price is set per day and decreases based on the number of pets and the duration of your stay. Expect to pay between 7 and 20 euros.
- For kennel services, the rate is also per day and decreases based on the number of pets and the length of stay. The service costs between 8 and 12 euros.
