Have you ever wondered what your cat does when you’re not at home? Sometimes, the answer is painfully clear, in the form of a smashed vase that’s been not-so-mysteriously knocked off a table. At other times, you come home only to find your cat fast asleep in the exact same spot they were when you left.
Either way, leaving your cat unsupervised often results in more questions than answers. This may be fine if you only go to work every day, but what if you want to take a well-deserved vacation for a few days?
It’s a good idea to hire a professional San Fernando cat sitter to care for your pet while you’re away.
The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Cat Sitter
Life can be incredibly hectic, and it’s important to take time for yourself and get away from it all if you have the capacity to do so. And while cats make for great roommates and housemates, unfortunately, they usually aren’t the best travel companions.
Leaving your beloved pet behind is sometimes the only option when you need to travel, which means you need to take measures to ensure they are taken care of. Cats often seem aloof, but they’re incredibly affectionate pets and require a lot of attention and care.
An unsupervised cat is at risk of suffering from illness, injury, starvation, and thirst. Without someone ensuring their needs are met, cats might even escape the empty house and wander around.
Simply put, leaving a cat alone at home for longer than a standard work shift is a bad idea, and no responsible cat owner should do it.
With cat-sitting services, owners can rest easy knowing that their feline friend is being looked after. It might be cheaper to simply ask a friend or family member for the favor of stopping by to check on your cat, but they won’t have the same skills and knowledge as a pro.
Professional sitters work with cats daily and are trained to observe their behavior and do everything they can to ensure they’re healthy. The care a cat sitter provides goes well beyond simply filling up food bowls and emptying litter boxes.
Cats and their loving owners can benefit from at-home pet sitting in many ways:
Benefits for Cats
Familiar Environment
Cats are creatures of habit. They always want to be aware of their surroundings and become stressed out in unfamiliar places. With an at-home sitter, your cat doesn’t need to leave its comfort zone and will be happy to be cared for in their established territory.
Cat Health
Though cats are good at caring for themselves, a human touch is needed for all domesticated pets. After the owners themselves, cat sitters are the best qualified to identify if anything is wrong with their well-being. Cats are good at hiding their discomfort, but professional sitters will be able to spot potential pain or other conditions and take appropriate action. And if you have a vet appointment scheduled while you’re away, the cat sitter can take care of it.
No Social Stress
Some cats don’t have very social personalities. They get along well with humans and other cats if they’ve bonded with them over time, but strangers will arouse their suspicion. If you send your pet to a boarding house while you’re away, they might react poorly to the sudden exposure to so many unfamiliar cats and humans. It’s best to limit the introduction to one person who knows how to endear themselves to a new cat.
Benefits for Owners
Additional Services
At-home pet sitters will look after more than just your cat. They can water your plants, retrieve mail or packages, and keep an eye on your home. You can work out a system with your sitter where their visits align with any extra services needed while you’re away.
No Need to Transport Your Cat
The last thing you want before leaving for a vacation is getting scratched by an angry cat. Most cats don’t like being taken out of their home. They’re also smart enough to know when they are being taken somewhere they don’t like, such as the vet or a boarding house.
Instead of dealing with the headache of transporting your cat before leaving town, hiring a cat sitter means you can say goodbye on the best terms.
Home Security
While cats are amazing pets, they aren’t exactly guard animals. An empty house is a tempting target for break-ins. With a cat-sitter visiting every day, your house will surely remain secure.
At-Home Cat Sitting vs. Cat Boarding
Cat owners who cannot take their cat traveling can opt for at-home pet sitting or pet boarding houses.
There are many cat boarding houses, also called catteries, around the Valley, and they do their very best to ensure all cats have a positive experience. If your cat is comfortable around other animals and in new environments, they will probably fit right in a pet hotel.
But for more shy cats and the promise of extra services and home security, it’s much more convenient to hire an at-home sitter.
What To Look for When Hiring a Cat Sitter
Choosing a cat sitter is not something you should take lightly. You will be placing the safety of your pet and home in their hands, so it’s good to have a checklist of criteria that your cat sitter should meet before hiring them.
Here are some critical considerations that will help you pick the right at-home sitter for your cat:
1. Experience
Cat sitting is a specialty profession. The best cat sitters provide a level of care that only comes with experience.
2. Compatibility
How your cat reacts to the sitter is also important. Your cat should be comfortable with the sitter’s presence.
3. Accessibility
You should be able to reach your sitter at all times. They should also be hands-on with reporting and eager to send regular photos and updates.
4. References
Make sure your sitter is thoroughly vetted and recommended by previous clients. The testimonial section on the sitter’s website is the best place to start.
5. Insurance Coverage
Your cat sitter must be insured. This will protect you and your pet in case of mishaps, and it’s a mark of professionalism and a sign that the sitter is experienced and legitimate.
Cat Sitting Services in San Fernando Valley
If you live in the San Fernando Valley, the best option for at-home cat sitting is The Comforted Kitty. With hundreds of satisfied clients across the Los Angeles area, The Comforted Kitty sends only expert cat sitters to care for your pet. And they have sitters available to meet you no matter where you live in the Valley. Including Burbank, North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Reseda, Twin Lakes, Granada Hills, Northridge, and everywhere in between.
With an easy-to-use website and app, the service is readily accessible. Simply submit your request and wait for an invoice. You can then fill out forms with your contact details and special instructions for your pet’s needs. Your sitter will reach out shortly to coordinate with you—only one person will be assigned throughout your whole trip.
You can trust The Comforted Kitty with your cat and your home while you’re away. Rest assured that everything will be taken care of, and you’ll be coming home to a happy, healthy, purring pet!
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