Cat Care Tips

Run through this a week before you leave. It makes the handover quick and means nothing is missed while you're away.

• Food: write down the brand, amount and times. Leave enough food, litter and treats for the whole trip, plus a few days extra in case your journey home is delayed.
• Vet details: leave your vet's name, address and phone number somewhere easy to find. Some vets like written permission for a sitter to bring your cat in, so it's worth asking yours.
• Microchip: check your contact details are up to date. In England, microchipping is a legal requirement for pet cats over 20 weeks old.
• Medication: leave it clearly labelled, with the dose and time written down, plus a few spare days' worth.
• Cat flap: decide whether it stays locked or open while you're away, and say so.
• What's normal: note your cat's hiding spots, habits and quirks. Knowing what's normal helps a sitter spot what isn't.
• The house: leave notes on lights, heating, post, plants and the alarm, plus a spare key and an emergency contact.
• Book early: half-term, Christmas and summer fill up first.

Most cats feel safest on their own territory. With home visits there's no carrier, no car journey and no strange smells. Your cat keeps their own bed, routine and favourite window.

Shy cats are often happiest at home with a sitter, because nothing about their world changes. A few small steps help them settle.

• Let them watch first. At the meet & greet your cat can watch from a distance. I never force contact.
• Keep hiding spots open. Don't shut your cat away. A safe hiding place lowers stress.
• Leave your scent. A worn T-shirt in their bed can be comforting.
• Tell me what calms them. Favourite treats, toys, a quiet voice, or a room they like.
• Keep the routine. Same food, same times, same litter.
• Expect them to hide at first. That's normal. I check that food has been eaten and the litter tray used, and I tell you how they're doing.
• If something isn't right: if your cat hasn't eaten in 24 hours, or seems unwell, I contact you straight away, and your vet if needed.

Some owners find a plug-in calming diffuser helps. Ask your vet whether it's right for your cat.

My own cat, Phoenix, was blind in later life and needed daily medication, so I understand the patience and routine older cats need.

• I can give tablets or liquid medication (+£3 per visit). I don't give injections.
• Please leave written instructions, the medication in its original packaging, and your vet's details.
• Extended visits give slower, calmer time for older cats.
• If your cat needs medication twice a day, choose twice-daily care.

Is a cat sitter better than a cattery?

For most cats, yes. They stay in familiar surroundings with no travel and no contact with unfamiliar cats. A cattery can suit some cats, so it depends on your cat's personality and health.

How many visits a day does my cat need?

Most healthy adult cats are fine with one visit a day. Kittens, senior cats, cats on medication and cats fed wet food twice a day are usually better with two. I'll help you choose at the meet & greet.

Which areas do you cover?

I'm based in Croydon and cover areas including Addiscombe, Shirley, South Croydon, Sanderstead, Thornton Heath, Norbury, South Norwood, Purley, Streatham, Beckenham, Brixton and Clapham. See the pricing guide for travel zones.

Are you insured and DBS checked?

Yes. I'm DBS checked, insured with Protectivity and registered with the ICO. My insurance doesn't cover claims linked to a cat's existing condition or medication, so I ask owners with medical cats to complete a Medical Care Plan.