Getting ready to leave for vacation or a work trip out of town can be super stressful and even more complicated when you have cats. Here are some things to remember when getting your cats ready for a cat sitter while you're away. 

1. Review any last minute details with the sitter 

It's common for a professional cat sitter to send you a confirmation message the day before you leave just to touch base and see if there are any cat care or household charges. This is a great time for you to review any details, list any cat care tasks, and let them know of anything thats happened since the last time they were there. However you can always leave a note on the counter or a check list that can help the sitter stay on track while you're away. 

2. Leave out all the food, treats, medications, grooming tools etc or provide a post it note to where they are located. 

Once a cat sitter has worked for you a couple of times they will become familiar where you keep all the food and supplies, so my tip is to make sure that you have adequate back up of cat food, litter, scoop bags, paper towels etc so you don't run out while you are away. 

3. Make sure to keep things the way you usually have it, esp an item with your scent on it.

A lot of people try and clean up and make the bed before they leave and even try reorganizing their house. It's not that great for the cats. They like things the way they usually are. Also some cats like to sleep on the bed and its nice to leave a small space near the pillow or around that spot so they can curl up in the spot that they like. Keeping things as normal as possible is the goal. This way the cats wont miss you as fast. 

4. Consider the temperature while you're away

In the summer some clients leave the AC off, and the houses not only get very hot they also get muggy. Now, most cats like to have it a little on the warmer side, but some cats cant go from a comfortable AC to no AC. I like to suggest that people see the AC on but turn it up so it only turns on occasionally. You can also let the cat sitter know if there are zones that can be turned off completely or how to adjust it each morning as they know the weather for that particular day. 

Likewise some clients turn heat off in the winter....or keep it very cold. Please consider the cats and the sitters that are working in your freezing house. At least have it on warm enough to work in the home, not have any pipes burst, and also you can provide warming matts and beds that cats can snuggle in while you're away. 

5. Know your number one need and share that with your sitter

Understand what you really need from a cat sitter we'll give you the most peace of mind because if you can convey that and they can deliver you will have the best experience ever. In my class How to Find a Cat Sitter that makes you Purr, you'll learn the top three needs that most cat parents have and you probably have one of them! Usually you either need to go away and have fun and disconnect or you need to stay connected to your cats and know that they're being comforted or you need to have detail precise care when you go away. Each of these has completely different communication and different tasks associated with them  When you find the right sitter and they know your number one need, they'll be able to deliver peace of mind for you and your cats.

6. Try to be cool and calm when you leave the house 

Tell your cats ahead of time that you will be taking a trip and when you will be back and who will be caring for them. But don't be overly emotional when you leave the house or you'll pass this anxiety along to your cats. The main goal is to keep things like a normal day, when the cat sitter comes they get their food and attention and this distracts them that you're  not at home. (for little while)