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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If the thought of leaving your senior cat at home for an extended period makes you uneasy, you’re not alone. Caring for a cat in their golden years comes with unique responsibilities, and many pet parents worry about leaving them behind while they travel.
“I always recommend that older cats stay in the comfort of their own home whenever possible while their owner is away,” says veterinarian Dr. Jordan Beauchamp. “Cats generally don’t handle stress or change well, and senior cats may find it even more difficult. If you’re planning to travel, I suggest having someone check in on your cat several times a day or stay with them.”
The ideal sitter will have experience caring for senior cats and be able to recognize subtle signs of illness, handle emergencies if they arise, and keep you updated with regular photos and messages while you’re away. Read on for more tips on finding the best sitter for your senior kitty.
Where To Look for Senior Cat Sitters
Not sure where to find a trustworthy cat sitter? Rover is a great place to start. Whether you’re looking for drop-in visits or house sitting, you can browse experienced pet sitters in your area. Here’s how to best use the platform.
Jot down your must-haves
As you begin your search for the right sitter, jot down any specific must-haves. Would you be more comfortable with someone who can stay in your home rather than stopping by for drop-in visits? Should your sitter be experienced with administering medication? Knowing these essentials up front will make the search for the right match much easier.
Use the search field
To start browsing local sitters on Rover, download the app or visit the website. The search field will prompt you to choose the type of service you need. Select “house sitting,” “drop-in visits,” or “boarding,” for example.
Then, put in your address to get a list of nearby sitters and add the dates you’ll need help. From here, you can peruse available sitters in your area.
Use a search engine to find Rover sitters
Another way to search for the right sitter is to use Google or another search engine to fine-tune your criteria. For example, you can search “site:rover.com/members senior cat experience” or “site:rover.com/members house sitting senior cat.” From here, your search results should feature local sitters with senior cat care listed in their profile.
Check reviews and experience
As you sift through different sitters, check out their pet care experience and skills. The “Skills” section is a great place to note if the sitter has experience administering medications or has cared for senior cats specifically.
Reading through the reviews will also give you a better idea of first-hand accounts of the sitter and how they’ve handled pet sits in the past with senior cats.
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Questions To Ask a Sitter
Finding the best sitter for your senior cat can take time and effort. If your cat has an ongoing health condition, for instance, you’ll want to entrust your pet to someone equipped to manage any necessary treatment.
When reaching out to potential caretakers, a few initial questions can help determine if they’re a fit for your kitty.
Senior cat experience
The simplest place to start is by asking potential sitters about their experience with older cats. Prepare open-ended questions that will garner more than a “yes” or “no” answer. This is a great way to learn about your sitter’s experience with similar-aged cats and their philosophy on providing reliable pet care.
Your questions might include:
- How many senior cats have you cared for before?
- What challenges have you encountered with aging cats? How did you handle them?
- What do you enjoy about caring for senior pets?
Medication experience
If your senior cat takes medication, this is one of the first topics to discuss. Rather than asking, “Are you comfortable giving my cat medication?” consider asking specific questions about their previous experience, such as:
- What kinds of medication have you administered to cats in the past? (Pro-tip: Make sure to ask if they have experience with the type of medication your cat requires, whether that’s pills, eye drops, or insulin.)
- How do you handle a cat who resists medication?
- Does your schedule allow for the allotted times medication needs to be administered?
Mobility limitations
Many senior cats develop arthritis or other mobility challenges. If your feline friend needs assistance walking up the stairs or has trouble getting to their food or litter box, you’ll definitely want to make sure they have frequent care.
In addition to explaining your cat’s unique needs, you might consider asking questions such as:
- How often are you able to be with my cat?
- What has your experience been with pets who have mobility challenges?
- How comfortable are you lifting a cat with stiff joints, arthritis, or weak hind legs?
Special diets and feeding routines
If your older cat is on a prescription diet, they may require meals at specific times. Hydration, especially for senior cats with kidney disease, is also an incredibly important thing to monitor. While healthy cats in their prime can often tolerate flexible meals during drop-in visits, this may not be the case for your senior cat.
Consider asking the sitter questions about how they would handle special diet routines:
- Does your schedule allow for strict feeding times?
- How do you monitor appetite and water intake?
- Have you cared for cats on a prescription diet?
Health changes and warning signs
Even if your cat is in good health, an aging feline can decline more quickly in their golden years. A responsible pet sitter will have a keen eye and knowledge of warning signs to look out for when it comes to your senior cat.
You might ask potential caretakers questions like the following:
- What changes in behavior would concern you?
- Have you ever noticed signs of illness while pet sitting?
- Can you recognize symptoms that require immediate veterinary attention?
- Are you comfortable transporting a pet to the vet if needed?
Cost of Senior Cat Sitting
Cat sitting costs can vary depending on where you live, the type of care you’re looking for, and your cat’s individual needs. Care for senior cats who require medication or extra attention may cost more than booking a sitter for a healthy, low-maintenance adult cat.
Factors that might increase the price include:
- Booking longer and more frequent drop-in visits
- Constant 24/7 care, including overnights
- Housesitting, where your sitter stays overnight in your house and also cares for your home
- Transport (if your cat needs to see the vet or groomer while you’re away)
- If you have multiple pets in the home
While finding a sitter that fits your budget is incredibly important, experience and quality of care are valuable, especially for an aging cat. It’s often worth taking the extra effort of a meet and greet or a trial stay to make sure you have a fit that will meet everyone’s needs.
