Leaving town gets easier once your cat has a sitter you trust, but the days right before you go still matter. A little preparation turns a stressful handoff into a smooth one, and it gives your sitter everything they need to keep your cat fed, calm, and safe. Think of the checklist below as the difference between hoping things go well and knowing they will.
Stock Up Before You Lock Up
Run out of food halfway through a trip and you have just handed your sitter a problem at the worst possible time. The fix is simple: count the days you will be gone, then make sure every consumable lasts longer than that. Buy a little extra, because cats can be picky and a stray storm or flight delay can stretch a trip by a day or two.
Before you head to the airport, take five minutes to confirm you have plenty of the following on hand:
- Food, both wet and dry, in the exact brand and flavor your cat already eats. Now is not the time to switch.
- Litter, with a full spare bag or jug so your sitter never has to improvise.
- Medications, counted out to cover the whole trip plus a small cushion in case you return late.
- Treats and any supplements, since these often double as a trust-building tool for a sitter your cat is still getting to know.
Set everything in one visible spot. A sitter should not have to open six cabinets to find the can opener.
Write Instructions a Stranger Could Follow
You know your cat hides under the bed at 6 p.m. and only eats if the bowl is moved away from the wall. Your sitter does not, at least not yet. Good instructions assume zero prior knowledge and spell out the small rituals that make your cat feel normal.
Be specific about portions. "A scoop of food" means nothing, while "half a cup of dry kibble in the morning, one wet pouch at night" leaves no room for guessing. Note where the litter box lives, how often you scoop, and which toys actually get a reaction. If your cat is shy, tell the sitter that hiding is expected behavior and not a sign something is wrong. That single sentence can save a worried sitter from a frantic text on day one.
Cover the Medical Bases
Most trips pass without a single hiccup, but the rare emergency is exactly when preparation pays off. Leave your veterinarian's name, phone number, and address somewhere obvious, and add the location of the nearest emergency animal hospital for after-hours situations. If your cat takes medication, demonstrate the routine in person if you can, or film a short clip showing how you give a pill or an injection.
Just as important, give your sitter written permission to seek care and a sense of your spending comfort level. A sitter who knows you have authorized treatment up to a certain amount can act fast instead of waiting on a phone call you might miss. For owners, this clarity is peace of mind. For sitters, it removes the worst kind of pressure, the kind where a beloved animal is unwell and the rules are unclear.
Make the Home Easy to Read
Your house is second nature to you and a puzzle to everyone else. Walk through it the way a first-time visitor would. Where are the light switches, the thermostat, the spare key? How does the front door lock behave when it sticks? Label anything that is not obvious, and clear a path to the spaces your sitter will actually use.
While you are at it, do a quick safety sweep. Tuck away dangling cords, close off rooms you would rather stay off limits, and move anything fragile that a bored cat might decide to knock off a shelf. If your cat is an escape artist, point out the doors and windows that need extra attention. A sitter who knows your cat bolts for the door at every opening will be far more careful than one caught by surprise.
Do a Warm Introduction
Whenever your schedule allows, arrange a short meeting before the trip so your cat and sitter can size each other up on neutral, low-pressure terms. Cats read body language closely, and a calm first encounter makes the real visits go smoother. It also gives you a chance to walk the sitter through the house in person, which beats any written note.
Share your cat's personality honestly during this visit. If your cat loves chin scratches but hates being picked up, say so. If a particular sound sends them under the couch, mention it. Sitters genuinely want this information, because a cat who feels understood is a cat who settles in fast. The more candid you are, the better the care your cat receives while you are gone.
Stay Reachable Without Hovering
Before you leave, agree on how and when you will check in. A daily photo or a quick message at the same time each day reassures you without making your sitter feel watched. Share a backup contact too, a neighbor or friend who can step in if your sitter has a true emergency of their own.
None of this takes long, and most of it you only set up once. Tape your checklist to the fridge, reuse it for every trip, and tweak it as your cat changes. With the supplies stocked, the instructions clear, and the introductions made, you can finally do the thing you actually wanted to do: relax and enjoy your time away, knowing your cat is in good hands.