First-Time Cat Owner’s Guide to Holiday Cat Care
Going away without your cat for the first time can feel unsettling. Cats are independent, but they still need regular care, attention and reassurance while you’re away.
The good news is that a little preparation can make the experience much easier for both you and your cat. With clear instructions, a familiar home environment and a trusted pet sitter, your cat can remain comfortable in their own surroundings while you enjoy your time away.
Should my cat stay at home while I’m away?
Many cats feel most settled in their own home. Familiar smells, sleeping spots, hiding places and daily routines can help reduce stress, particularly for shy, elderly or anxious cats.
A professional cat sitter can visit your home to provide practical care and companionship while checking that everything is safe and secure.
Depending on your cat’s needs, visits may include:
🐾Feeding meals according to their usual routine
🐾Refreshing drinking water
🐾Cleaning litter trays
🐾Providing play and enrichment
🐾Offering gentle attention and company
🐾Giving medication where agreed and appropriate
🐾Checking for any changes in behaviour or wellbeing
🐾Sending photo and message updates
🐾Bringing in mail or putting out bins, if arranged
🐾Every cat is different. Some will happily greet their sitter, while others may prefer to watch from a safe hiding place. A good sitter should respect your cat’s personality and allow them to approach in their own time.
How often should someone visit my cat?
The right visit schedule depends on your cat’s age, health, temperament, feeding routine and individual needs.
Some cats may need more frequent visits if they:
🐾Require medication
🐾Eat wet food that cannot be left out for long periods
🐾Have health conditions
🐾Are kittens or elderly
🐾Become anxious when left alone
🐾Need regular litter-tray cleaning
🐾Require additional feeding or monitoring
🐾Healthy adult cats may cope well with a suitable daily routine, but they should not be left without proper care simply because they appear independent. Cats can become unwell quickly, and regular visits allow someone to notice changes early.
Before you go away, discuss your cat’s routine with your sitter and agree on a visit schedule that provides appropriate care and reassurance.
Arrange a meet-and-greet before your holiday
A meet-and-greet is one of the best ways to help you, your cat and your sitter feel more comfortable.
During the meeting, your sitter can learn:
🐾Where your cat’s food is stored
🐾Your cat’s usual feeding times and portion sizes
🐾Where the litter trays, scoops and cleaning products are kept
🐾Your cat’s favourite hiding places
🐾Which rooms your cat is allowed to access
🐾How your cat likes to play or be handled
🐾Whether your cat is nervous around new people
🐾Where the carrier is located
🐾Your preferred method of communication
🐾It also gives your cat the opportunity to become familiar with the sitter’s voice and scent before you leave. Some cats may interact immediately, while others may need more time. Neither response is unusual.
Prepare clear feeding instructions
Write down your cat’s normal feeding routine rather than relying on memory or verbal instructions alone.
Include:
🐾Food type and brand
🐾Portion size
🐾Feeding times
🐾Where food is kept
🐾Whether food needs to be refrigerated
🐾Treats your cat is allowed to have
🐾Foods your cat must not eat
🐾What to do if your cat refuses food
🐾Whether bowls need to be washed between meals
🐾Try to keep your cat’s routine as consistent as possible while you are away. Sudden changes to food, feeding times or treats may upset some cats.
If your cat eats wet food, explain how much should be offered and how long it can safely remain available. Your sitter should know what is normal for your cat and when a change needs to be reported to you.
Make sure fresh water is available
Your cat should have access to clean, fresh drinking water every day.
Before leaving:
🐾Clean all water bowls
🐾Show your sitter where extra bowls are kept
🐾Explain whether your cat prefers a bowl or water fountain
🐾Place water away from litter trays
🐾Consider leaving more than one water source
🐾Provide instructions for cleaning and refilling a fountain
🐾Some cats prefer drinking from a fountain, while others are perfectly happy with a clean bowl. Don’t introduce a completely unfamiliar water system for the first time just before your holiday unless your cat has had an opportunity to adjust.
Organise litter-tray care
Litter-tray care is an important part of holiday cat sitting. A clean tray can help your cat feel comfortable and may also provide useful information about their health.
Tell your sitter:
🐾Where each litter tray is located
🐾Which litter you use
🐾How often waste should be removed
🐾Where spare litter and bags are kept
🐾Where waste should be disposed of
🐾Whether your cat has any litter preferences
🐾What is normal for your cat
🐾Avoid changing the type or location of the litter tray immediately before your trip. Cats can be particular about their toileting area, and unfamiliar changes may cause stress or accidents.
Your sitter should let you know if your cat stops using the tray, strains, has diarrhoea, vomits, or shows any other unusual changes.
Leave emergency and veterinary information
Create a written care sheet with all the information your sitter may need.
Include:
🐾Your full name and contact details
🐾Your travel dates and accommodation details
🐾An emergency contact who can make decisions if you are unavailable
🐾Your cat’s veterinarian and clinic phone number
🐾Your cat’s microchip details, if available
🐾Relevant medical history
🐾Current medication and instructions
🐾Known allergies
🐾Your cat’s usual behaviour
🐾Any signs that should be reported immediately
🐾Permission and instructions for veterinary treatment in an emergency
🐾It is also helpful to confirm that your veterinary clinic has your current contact details and an authorised emergency contact.
Prepare medication carefully
If your cat takes medication, provide clear written instructions and demonstrate how it is given.
Include:
🐾The name of the medication
🐾The correct amount
🐾The time it should be given
🐾Whether it is given with food
🐾How it should be administered
🐾Where it is stored
🐾What to do if your cat refuses or vomits the medication
🐾Be honest about how difficult medication may be. If your cat becomes highly distressed or difficult to handle, the sitter needs to know beforehand so a safe plan can be arranged.
Never leave medication in an unlabelled container. Keep it in its original packaging wherever possible.
Create a safe environment before you leave
Walk through your home and look for potential hazards.
Secure or remove:
🐾Toxic plants
🐾Loose electrical cords
🐾Small objects that could be swallowed
🐾Open windows without secure screens
🐾Unstable furniture
🐾Accessible chemicals or cleaning products
🐾Open doors to unsafe areas
🐾Food that may be harmful to cats
🐾Candles or items that could be knocked over
🐾Check that doors, gates and windows close properly. Let your sitter know which doors should remain closed and which areas are available to your cat.
If your cat enjoys outdoor access, clearly explain your expectations. Some owners prefer their cats to remain indoors while they are away, while others have an established outdoor routine. Your sitter should know exactly what you have agreed.
Leave familiar comforts
Cats often feel reassured by familiar items and routines.
You may wish to leave:
🐾Their usual bed
🐾A favourite blanket
🐾Familiar toys
🐾Scratching posts
🐾A safe hiding space
🐾Enrichment toys or food puzzles
🐾Clothing carrying your scent, if your cat finds that comforting
🐾Do not overwhelm your cat with lots of new items. Familiarity is usually more helpful than novelty when they are adjusting to your absence.
Explain your cat’s personality
Your sitter needs to know what is normal for your cat.
Let them know whether your cat:
🐾Hides when visitors arrive
🐾Enjoys being picked up
🐾Likes to be brushed
🐾Becomes vocal when hungry
🐾Is nervous around loud noises
🐾Is likely to run through an open door
🐾Enjoys play or prefers quiet company
🐾Has any history of scratching or biting
🐾Gets stressed by changes in routine
🐾A cat hiding during a visit may not necessarily be distressed, particularly if hiding is normal behaviour. Your sitter can check that food, water and litter habits appear normal without forcing interaction.
Agree on updates before you leave
Many owners feel more relaxed when they receive regular updates. Discuss how often you would like to hear from your sitter and whether you would like photos or short videos.
Updates may include:
🐾A photo of your cat
🐾Confirmation that food was eaten
🐾Water and litter-tray updates
🐾Medication confirmation
🐾Any unusual behaviour
🐾A note about the home being secure
🐾Clear expectations help avoid confusion while you are travelling. If your plans change or you become difficult to contact, let your sitter know how to reach you.
What if my cat hides?
Hiding is common, especially when a cat is adjusting to a new person or a change in routine.
Your sitter should:
🐾Enter calmly
🐾Speak softly
🐾Avoid pulling your cat from a hiding place
🐾Check food, water and litter
🐾Offer gentle interaction without forcing it
🐾Use familiar toys or treats if appropriate
🐾Monitor whether the hiding is becoming more prolonged or unusual
🐾Some cats prefer to observe from a distance before approaching. Respectful, low-pressure care can help them build confidence.
If your cat is not eating, drinking or using the litter tray as usual, or appears unwell, your sitter should contact you and seek veterinary guidance where appropriate.
Leave a backup plan
Unexpected situations can happen, so it is helpful to prepare a backup plan.
Consider:
🐾Providing a spare key or access arrangement
🐾Leaving contact details for a trusted local person
🐾Explaining where the carrier is located
🐾Confirming your preferred emergency veterinarian
🐾Providing permission for emergency veterinary care
🐾Leaving extra food and litter
🐾Writing down what should happen if travel is delayed
🐾Telling your sitter how to contact you if your phone is unavailable
🐾The more prepared your sitter is, the easier it will be to respond calmly if something unexpected occurs.
A simple holiday cat-care checklist
Before you leave, confirm that you have:
🐾Booked a trusted cat sitter
🐾Arranged a meet-and-greet
🐾Written down feeding instructions
🐾Provided enough food and treats
🐾Cleaned and prepared water bowls or the fountain
🐾Provided spare litter and cleaning supplies
🐾Written down medication instructions
🐾Left veterinary and emergency contact details
🐾Explained your cat’s personality and routine
🐾Checked windows, doors and household hazards
🐾Confirmed how often you will receive updates
🐾Left a backup key or access plan
🐾Provided instructions for delayed travel or emergencies
🐾Enjoy your time away with greater peace of mind
🐾Leaving your cat for the first time can be emotional, but careful preparation makes a significant difference. When your cat can remain in a familiar environment with a consistent routine and a caring person checking in on them, the experience may be much less stressful.
At Paws in Good Hands, we provide attentive cat-sitting visits designed around your cat’s individual needs. We can help with feeding, fresh water, litter care, enrichment, medication where agreed and regular updates while you are away.
Planning a holiday? Enquire early to discuss cat-sitting availability and arrange a meet-and-greet.
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