Preparing Your Home and Cat for a Pet Sitter

Heading out of town and leaving your cat in someone else’s care can feel like you’re pausing your own routine and asking someone to pick up the rhythm mid-song. But with a little planning, preparing for a pet sitter doesn’t just make life easier for them. It helps your pets feel calm, confident, and comfortable while you’re away.

Here’s how to prep your house for a pet sitter so your feline stays happy and your home stays running smoothly. Likewise, this guide can also help prepare your house sitter to take care of your pets if that's a service that they offer.

Gather Essential Info for Your Cat Sitter

Before you hand over the keys, gather together the information your house sitter will rely on. Think of it as creating a quick guidebook to your cat’s universe. Start with a short list of key contacts:

• Your primary vet
• The nearest 24-hour animal hospital
• A dependable friend or neighbor who can help in a pinch

This list gives your sitter a sense of security—and gives you peace of mind.

Next, include  the day-to-day essentials:

• Your cat’s feeding schedule
• Their favorite snacks
• Any medications with step-by-step instructions 

If your cat has special habits like curling up under the bed when guests arrive or claiming the laundry basket as a weekend suite, make note of that, too. Include as many details as you think your pet sitter will need about your cat's unique characteristics. These details help the pet sitter understand what’s normal for your pet.

Lastly, double-check that your cat’s microchip and collar tag¹ are updated with your current contact information. It’s one of the simplest parts of preparing for a pet sitter, but it’s also one of the most important.

So, are cats easy to take care of? The answer is often yes, but the right prep makes it even easier for both the sitter and your cat.

Stock Up on Supplies for Your Cat

Nothing puts a sitter on edge like realizing they’ve run out of something essential. To avoid mid-trip stress, make sure that you have everything you need from your pet sitter checklist so that supplies are organized and easy to find.

Stock enough PrettyPlease cat food, treats, and litter for the entire trip, plus a little extra, just in case travel plans shift or flights get delayed. Keeping everything in one tidy, accessible spot makes your sitter’s life easier and keeps your routine running seamlessly even while you’re away. This efficiency is priceless especially if you have a multi-pet household, with dogs included.

Create a Safe, Comfortable Space

Start by choosing a calm corner in your home. Set up their favorite bed, a soft blanket, and a few toys that hold their attention. And if your sitter asks how to exercise a cat, you’ve already done half the work by leaving fun options out. Providing a variety of toys helps ensure that your cat stays entertained.

A scratching post or cardboard scratcher is another must. Beyond giving your cat a familiar outlet for their natural behaviors, it keeps your furniture safe while you’re gone.²

And before you leave, check the room for potential hazards. Secure loose cords, move any tempting-but-toxic plants, and tuck away things they shouldn’t nibble on. A little safety check goes a long way in preparing for a pet sitter and helps your cat stay relaxed in their environment. Being sure to communicate these safety measures to your pet sitter will add an extra layer of care.

Secure the Litter Box

Finally, make sure the litter box stays in a quiet, familiar spot. If you use PrettyLitter, you’re already ahead of the game. 

Let your pet sitter know the specific litter brand and type you use to maintain consistency for your feline. Leave a brief note explaining how the color-changing crystals help monitor potential urinary concerns. This kind of information is essential for the house sitter. It reminds them that PrettyLitter can provide insights into your cat’s health, acting as an early detector that may alert them to potential signs of urinary issues.

Leaving clear pet sitter instructions regarding litter maintenance will make their service smoother. The best thing is that PrettyLitter’s convenience means that your sitter can focus on caring for your cat, not managing the litter box. And if you’ve ever researched how to get rid of cat pee smell in the house, having the right litter makes all the difference.

Leave Clear Routines and Final Instructions

Make a short, easy-to-read guide that outlines all the information your sitter needs to familiarize themself with your pet's daily routine. Include feeding times, treat limits (if any), favorite activities, and how often the litter box should be scooped or stirred. When sitters know the ebb and flow of your cat’s day, they can keep the rhythm steady.

If your cat has charming quirks like chirping at birds from the window, curling up on a certain chair, or sneaking off to nap in a closet, sharing these notes helps the sitter understand their personality. It also reassures them when behaviors that might seem unusual are actually completely normal for your cat..

Before heading out the door, do a final walkthrough. Check windows, set thermostats to a comfortable temperature, and confirm that your sitter has everything they need. Make sure they know exactly how to reach you and when you’ll be checking in.

Some pet parents also share quick reference links, like how to prepare your house for a pet sitter checklists, or resources about how much does it cost to own a cat if their sitter is a fellow cat lover curious about adding a feline of their own someday.

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A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way with PrettyLitter

Preparing your home and cat for a sitter is  about creating a cozy, seamless environment so your feline feels just as loved and cared for while you’re away. When everything is organized, from emergency contacts to litter routines, you give your cat (and your sitter) a sense of security that’s hard to beat.

With PrettyLitter on your side, you’re setting your cat up for consistent comfort. Its advanced odor control, odorless silica gel crystals, and ability to lock in moisture help your home stay fresh so you can confidently say goodbye to that litter box smell. Plus, one bag lasts up to a month, making it a perfect fit for pet-sitting situations where you want everything simple, tidy, and low-maintenance.

Whether you’re gone for a day or a week, these steps keep your cat’s world steady and keep you feeling at ease while you’re away. A little planning, the right tools, and a thoughtful guide for your sitter make all the difference.

Sources:

1. International Cat Care. “Position Statement on the Importance of Microchipping.” https://icatcare.org/position-statements/position-statement-on-the-importance-of-microchipping. 
2. Frontiers. “Scientists pinpoint strategies that could stop cats from scratching your furniture.” https://www.frontiersin.org/news/2024/07/03/strategies-stop-cats-scratching-furniture.