How The Experts Handle Their Cats With Pet Sitters And While Traveling

If you have kittens or older or sick cats needing extra meals and attention,

it is best to have someone come in to care for them. Many neighborhoods have an exchange for pet sitting. If an exchange is not possible, it is better to hire someone to pet sit for you than ask a friend or relative to do so.

While they may be glad to help out in an emergency, if you make this a routine request and they do not take care of the cats properly, you have no recourse short of losing their friendship should you complain.

In the more populated areas, you can easily find professional pet sitters. They will come to your house once or twice a day, feed and water the cats, play with them and change their litter pan.

Most pet sitters will also bring in your mail and newspaper and water your indoor plants. Some even offer report cards on your cat. Your other alternative to a pet sitter is to leave your cat with a friend or to board her with a veterinarian or boarding kennel.

However, cats dislike change and may not do well away from home. And if you leave her with a friend who has cats, she may not mix well with the cats and so will have to be kept alone in a room. Always check out facilities before leaving your cat.

If you do have to transport your cat, perhaps because you are moving, always confine her in a suitable carrying cage. If it makes you feel better, when you stop for a rest break, offer her food, water and access to a litter pan.

Do not be surprised if she refuses all three. Most cats prefer to wait until they reach the motel, or the new home, before eating, drinking or going to the bathroom. Do not worry, she can survive very well during the day.