Start with feeding, water and litter
Give the sitter exact food amounts, time windows and storage locations. Explain how water is refreshed and how you normally notice whether your cat has eaten.
Show every litter tray, the usual cleaning routine, where waste goes and where spare litter is kept. If your cat toilets outdoors, still explain what the sitter should monitor.
- Food type, measured amount and feeding times
- Treat rules and foods that are off limits
- Water bowls or fountain and refill routine
- Litter-tray locations, cleaning and waste disposal
- Where spare food, litter and cleaning supplies are kept
Remove any doubt about indoor and outdoor access
State whether your cat must remain indoors, may use a cat flap or follows a timed outdoor routine. Include the rule even if it feels obvious to you.
Cats Protection recommends testing doors with the sitter and having a backup key arrangement. Show which windows, doors and internal spaces need particular care, and where the carrier is kept in case it is needed.
- Indoor-only or outdoor-access rule
- Cat-flap setting and any return time
- Doors, windows or cupboards linked to escape risk
- Carrier location and how it opens
- What to do if the cat is not seen at the expected time
Explain hiding, handling and play
Tell the sitter where your cat normally hides and how to check on them without forcing contact. Describe comfortable handling, warning signs and the best way to build trust.
Leave safe familiar toys and explain any supervised-only items. Cats Protection advises keeping string-like toys out of reach when they are not being used.
- Usual hiding and high resting places
- How your cat greets familiar and unfamiliar people
- Touch, brushing and lifting preferences
- Favourite play and quiet-time routines
- Signs that your cat wants space
Leave contacts and current owner-provided instructions
Provide your contact details, a backup person, your veterinary practice and out-of-hours information. Make clear when you want the sitter to report a change.
If prescribed medication is involved, leave the original labelled supply and only the current instructions already provided by you or your veterinary professional. The sitter should never estimate a dose or improvise a method.
Use observable details instead of vague reassurance
The following is a fictional example, not a recommended routine. It shows how to tell a sitter what they can look for and do.
- Feeding: half a labelled pouch at 8:00am and 6:00pm; dry food remains available overnight.
- Litter: scoop the utility-room tray at each evening visit; spare litter is on the lower shelf.
- Hiding: Milo often sleeps behind the blue chair. Speak softly and let him approach rather than reaching in.
- Access: Milo stays indoors. Check the porch door is closed before opening the front door.
Show the sitter the home from your cat’s point of view
Walk through feeding and litter locations, safe hiding places, access points and the carrier. Test the key or other access arrangement before you leave.
Make sure microchip contact details are current where the applicable rules require it. GOV.UK sets out the differing dog and cat requirements across the UK.
Sources and review
How this guide was prepared
SitSorted editorial uses UK-first, authoritative sources and reviews the page when its practical guidance changes. This guide organises a handover; it does not replace advice from your vet or another qualified professional.
- Published
- 24 July 2026
- Last reviewed
- 24 July 2026
- Reviewed by
- SitSorted editorial