Choose a cat sitter who can explain exactly when they will attend, what each visit includes and who takes over if they cannot come. Meet before booking and check that their experience suits your individual cat. A friendly profile and a low headline price are only a starting point.
Decide what service you are comparing
A brief drop-in, a longer visit and an overnight stay are different services. Ask each candidate to quote against the same care requirements. Otherwise, a cheaper option may simply include less time or fewer visits.
Cats Protection recommends meeting prospective carers and asking about visit times, duration and emergency arrangements. It notes that remaining in familiar surroundings often suits cats, but individual needs still matter. If home visits cannot provide the care your cat needs, compare alternatives using our cattery inspection guide.
Ask questions that reveal the actual arrangement
- Who will attend? Ask whether the named sitter does every visit or works with a team, and how you will be told about substitutions.
- What is included? Have them distinguish feeding, litter cleaning, observation, play and household extras. Ask how extra cats affect the booking.
- What happens if a visit is delayed? Ask for the contact process and backup arrangement, not just reassurance that it is unlikely.
- What experience matches this cat? Describe shyness, different diets in a shared home or veterinary care requirements. Ask for relevant examples without requesting another client's private details.
- How are updates provided? Agree what you need to know about each cat, including anything the sitter could not check.
Use the meeting as a practical check
Watch whether the sitter lets your cat approach or retreat without insisting on contact. Show the entrance routine and discuss how doors will stay secure while bags and supplies are carried in. Ask them to explain how they would respond if they could not locate your cat.
Leave favourite resting spots where they are. If your cat uses a Velvet Nest or another familiar bed, show the sitter the location rather than buying new furniture for the visit. This meeting is about understanding the cat's existing routine.
Agree cover and responsibilities in writing
Check the total charge, dates, visit arrangement, cancellations and key return before confirming. For a professional service, ask about insurance and what it covers; do not assume a platform listing means every possible incident is covered.
Ask what happens if the sitter becomes ill, cannot access the house or needs veterinary help for your cat. Confirm that any required medication can be given according to your veterinary team's instructions. A person who cannot meet an essential care requirement is not the right booking, however convenient their location.
Keep selection separate from the handover
Once you have chosen the sitter, use our cat-sitter handover checklist for exact food portions, contacts and equipment locations. The interview decides whether the person can provide the service; the handover explains how to carry it out in your home.
Source checked 13 September 2026.
