Cats have a reputation for being low-maintenance. "Just fill the bowl and scoop the box," people say. Then you come home to find your cat hasn't eaten in two days, the sitter never found the hiding spot behind the dryer, and the antibiotic that was supposed to be given twice daily is sitting untouched on the counter.

Cats aren't hard to care for — but they are easy to misread. And a sitter who doesn't know your cat's specific quirks can miss the early signs that something is wrong.

This checklist covers everything your cat sitter actually needs, with the feline-specific details most generic pet sitting guides leave out. If you're still deciding between a sitter, boarding, or other arrangements, our vacation cat care guide walks through the decision-making process.

Feeding: More Complicated Than It Looks

Cat feeding isn't just "put food in the bowl." Cats are notoriously particular, and a small change in routine can make them refuse to eat entirely.

Food type and brand. Cats often reject unfamiliar food. Write down the exact brand, flavor, and whether it's pate, shreds, or chunks — because yes, many cats care about texture.

Portion size and schedule. Specify exact amounts. "Half a can" is better than "some wet food." If you use a measuring scoop, tell your sitter which one and where it is.

Wet food timing. Wet food left out too long gets crusty and unappealing. Let your sitter know how long to leave it before tossing it — most cats lose interest after 30–45 minutes.

Dry food access. Is there a gravity feeder for dry kibble, or do you measure out portions? Free-feeding versus scheduled meals is a distinction your sitter needs to understand.

Water preferences. Some cats refuse to drink from a bowl next to their food. Others only drink running water from a fountain. If your cat has a fountain, explain how to keep it filled and clean. Dehydration in cats is serious and sneaks up fast.

Treats. Where they are, how many per day, and whether you use them for anything specific — like luring the cat out from under the bed.

Litter Box: The Details Nobody Wants to Write Down

Litter box care is the single biggest source of problems with cat sitting. Get this wrong and your cat may start going outside the box — creating stress for everyone.

Number and location. The rule of thumb is one box per cat plus one extra. Tell your sitter exactly where each one is, including any hidden in closets or basements.

Litter type. Cats notice when you switch litter. Clumping clay, crystal, pine, paper — specify what you use. If you're particular about the brand, say so.

Scooping frequency. Daily minimum. Some cats refuse to use a box that's been used even once. If your cat is one of those, your sitter needs to know.

Full change schedule. How often to dump everything and start fresh. Where the clean litter is stored. Where to dispose of the used litter.

Signs of trouble. Tell your sitter to watch for: going outside the box (stress or UTI), frequent trips with little output (possible urinary blockage — an emergency in male cats), or blood in the litter.

Important: Urinary blockage in male cats can become life-threatening within 24 hours. Make sure your sitter knows this is a "go to the emergency vet immediately" situation, not a "let's wait and see."

The Hiding Problem

Here's something dog owners never deal with: cats hide. And when a cat is stressed by their owner's absence and a stranger in the house, they can vanish so thoroughly that the sitter thinks they've escaped.

Known hiding spots. List them all. Under the bed, inside the closet, behind the washer, on top of the kitchen cabinets, inside the box spring. If your cat has a spot the sitter would never think to check, spell it out.

Normal versus concerning hiding. Some cats hide for the first day with a new sitter and that's perfectly fine. Other cats are social and hiding would be a red flag. Tell your sitter what's normal for your cat.

How to coax them out. Does the sound of a treat bag work? A specific toy? The can opener? Give your sitter the tricks you use.

Don't force it. Make sure your sitter knows not to drag the cat out from a hiding spot. A stressed cat that's cornered can scratch or bite, and the cat will only hide harder next time.

Medications: Harder with Cats

If you've ever tried to pill a cat, you know. And if you haven't — well, your sitter is in for an experience. Cat medication instructions need to be extremely specific.

The method that actually works. Pill pockets, crushed in wet food, liquid syringe, transdermal ear gel — whatever works for your cat, describe it step by step. "Give her the pill" is not enough.

Backup methods. If your cat spits out the pill (they will, at least once), what's Plan B? Can the pill be crushed? Mixed into tuna juice? Administered as a liquid instead?

Timing and food. Does the medication go with food or on an empty stomach? How long before or after meals?

What happens if a dose is missed. This matters. For some medications, a missed dose is no big deal. For others, like insulin, it's a serious problem. Give clear instructions for both scenarios.

Restraint techniques. If the cat needs to be wrapped in a towel (the "purrito" method), explain it. Better yet, if you have time before your trip, do a practice session with the sitter present.

Vertical Space and Territory

Cats live in three dimensions. A sitter who only thinks about floor level will miss important parts of your cat's world.

Cat trees and perches. Where are they? Does your cat have a preferred high spot where they eat, sleep, or watch birds?

Shelves and countertops. Is the cat allowed on kitchen counters? On bookshelves? If there are fragile items on high surfaces, warn the sitter.

Doors and rooms. Which doors stay open, which stay closed? Cats that lose access to their territory — even one room — can become anxious and destructive. If a door must stay closed (like a room with toxic plants or an open window), say so explicitly.

Windows. Cats that are used to open windows for fresh air and bird-watching can become stressed if those windows stay shut. But make sure screens are secure — tell your sitter which windows are safe to open.

Common Mistakes Cat Owners Make

After talking to hundreds of cat sitters, these are the mistakes that come up over and over:

Assuming the cat will "be fine." Cats are independent, not self-sufficient. They still need daily check-ins, fresh water, scooped litter, and someone watching for signs of illness.

Forgetting to mention the second cat. This sounds absurd, but if you have a shy cat that hides whenever someone new enters the house, your sitter might not see them for the first day. Make sure they know how many cats to expect and what each one looks like.

Not explaining the cat's relationship with other pets. If you have a dog and a cat, your sitter needs to know how they interact. Do they eat each other's food? Does the dog chase the cat? Does the cat need a dog-free zone?

Leaving instructions spread across five different places. A whiteboard in the kitchen, a text thread, a note on the fridge, a PDF email attachment from last year. Your sitter shouldn't have to play detective to figure out the feeding schedule.

No emergency plan. "Call me if something happens" isn't a plan. Your sitter needs the vet's number, the emergency vet's number, and authorization to seek treatment if they can't reach you. Our pet emergency contact list guide covers everything to include.

Keep It All in One Place

The common thread in every problem above is scattered information. Your sitter needs a single, reliable source they can check at 6 AM when the cat is yelling and they can't remember if it's half a can or a full can.

That's what CareSheet is built for. You create a Care Sheet for your cat with all the details from this checklist — feeding, litter, medications, hiding spots, emergency contacts, house rules — and share one link. Your sitter opens it on their phone. No app download, no account required.

The contacts are tap-to-call, so in an emergency your sitter hits the vet's name and the phone dials. The Care Sheet works offline, so it's still accessible if your sitter is in a dead zone. And you can update it from anywhere — remembered a detail on the plane? Change it, and your sitter sees it the next time they open the link.

See how it works with a live Care Sheet example, or check out our complete pet sitter instructions checklist for a species-neutral version that covers dogs, cats, and other pets.

If you have cats and dogs — or multiple cats with different needs — see our guide on organizing sitter instructions for multiple pets.

Ready to stop worrying about whether your sitter has what they need? Create your free Care Sheet — it takes five minutes, and your cat's next sitter will thank you.