So you've opted for a cat sitter to visit your home, which for most cats is the ideal care solution. But how many visits are adequate for your furry friends?
Here at The Cat Lady we offer between 1 and 3 visits a day, and we leave it to you to decide what your cats need. However, we do have some guidelines and some things for you to consider before making a decision.
Every Day Visits
Our top priority is to ensure that your cats receive adequate care, and thus we have a strict rule that they must be visited at least once every 24 hours. We understand that there may be situations where this rule is unintentionally overlooked, such as when you have an early morning flight and have booked a once-a-day visit using our 'Anytime' time block. However, it's crucial to note that leaving your cat alone for 36 hours is not something we're comfortable with, and we strive to avoid such instances. We strongly recommend either booking a same-day visit if you're leaving very early or specifically requesting a morning visit the following day (or an alternative time block that occurs 24 hours after you leave).
As the Cost of Living Crisis persists, we have observed that numerous clients have opted to reduce their visits to save money.
We understand and empathize with those undergoing difficulties. However, we urge you to ponder whether visiting your cats only once a day is adequate for their health and well-being.
Things to think about:
Is your cat the only cat in your home? Being alone for 23 hours can be a very long time without the companionship of another feline or human.
Does your cat have access to the outdoors or a catio? Cats who have their usual outside access will fare better with once-a-day visits. House cats are reliant much more on human interaction and stimulation.
How sociable is your cat? For some cats, particularly those who are worried about strangers, one visit a day minimises stress and is the absolute best option for them.
How much time does your cat usually spend alone? Being at work all day does not necessarily mean your cat will be happy with 24 hours alone, and a cat that is used to having company most of the day almost certainly needs two visits a day.
Is your cat being kept indoors whilst you're away when they are usually allowed outside? This is a big change for a cat and they may not cope well with it. Having adequate visits to allay boredom is vital.
Cats have a reputation for being self-sufficient animals, but they also crave social interaction and require human attention. At a minimum, cats should receive 30 minutes of daily human contact. If it's not feasible to have two visits per day, a single 45-minute visit could be an alternative option.
So what are we saying?
Our overall recommendation is for adult cats to be visited twice daily, but we believe that cats with outdoor access, suitable feline companionship, or those who are typically alone for 12 or more hours per day may suffice with only one daily visit.
Kittens and young cats
We have changed our rules multiple times regarding kittens. Like a lot of things, it's not a one-size-fits-all situation, but we ask you to bear the following in mind when booking for kittens under 18 months old.
Is your house kitten-proof? Can you confidently say your kitten is safe alone in your home? Wires, string/ribbon, fishing rod toys, blind cords, bags with handles, and small items that could pose a choking risk should all be removed or made safe. (this also applies to adult cats!)
Does your kitten have company? Kittens without a playmate are much more likely to become bored and get into trouble or suffer more from loneliness.
What is your kitten used to in its everyday life? If you are usually out at work all day, twice-daily visits will likely be adequate.
We offer a third lunchtime visit for kittens - this is strongly recommended for those under 8 months old, and advised for any active, playful young cats that would benefit from extra stimulation and company throughout the day.
How old is your kitten? Depending on the age of the kitten, we may recommend considering a cattery as a preferable alternative.
Is a Cattery sometimes a better option?
This is a great question. We are firm believers that cats are happier at home. They are territory-driven animals who value familiarity above all else. Being at home reduces the risk of stress-related illnesses such as UTI's, but, sometimes the circumstances aren't right for home visits.
We fully recommend kittens under 4 months be boarded at a cattery due to safety concerns at such a young animal being left alone for hours at a time.
A kitten under the age of 6 months old may be lonely if they are used to having human company most of the time. Loneliness can lead to boredom, meaning they may get into things they usually wouldn't, therefore putting their safety at risk. If you are concerned about leaving your kitten under 6 months old alone and unsupervised at home, a cattery may be a better option whilst they are still very young.
Cats with health issues may be better in a cattery as they are monitored more closely and changes will be noticed quicker, especially if the alternative is opting for visits only once a day.
Cats who require a lot of attention and who are very demanding may be happier in a cattery, but we urge you to enquire about the frequency of a 'visitor' whilst your cat is boarded, as all catteries are different. If you choose home visits, these cats almost always require two visits a day and will be noticeably distressed with less. Extending home visits to 45 or 60 minutes is always advisable for the ultimate happy cat!
We hope this has helped you make a decision on what is best for your cat!
