5 Great Reasons to Hire a Cat Sitter During the Holidays

The holidays are fast approaching, and if you’re heading out of town, you have to decide what to do with your feline companion. Do you bring Whiskers along on your travels or leave them at home? Some cats aren’t good travelers and not all hotels allow pets, so sometimes the best thing to do is to leave your kitty behind.

There are a few options to ensure that your furbaby is well cared for while you’re away, and hiring a cat sitter is one of them. Here are five great reasons to hire a cat sitter this holiday season!

At least one study has shown that cats don’t like change in their daily routine. They’re also very sensitive to their environment, and even the smallest change can stress them out. That’s why experts recommend planning ahead and taking small steps for big life changes such as moving or welcoming a new family member. 

Since cats are territorial creatures of habit, placing your feline friend in a cattery or boarding facility while you’re away may not be the best option. Your cat will likely do better staying at home with a sitter, in the environment that they’re most familiar with.

Cats are susceptible to various infectious diseases, especially when many of them are kept in close quarters. There’s always a risk of your furbaby catching a disease from a cattery or boarding facility, the most common being an upper respiratory infection. Other illnesses include panleukopenia, feline leukemia, and toxoplasmosis.

A cat who stays behind also gets to avoid travel stress. While some felines make great travel companions, others don’t do too well on long trips, especially if they haven’t been taught to travel or have a positive association with their carrier. For these cats, staying at home with a sitter is often better for their well-being.

In addition to feeding your cat and catering to their needs, a sitter can help with small tasks around the house. Most cat sitters already include doing household chores in their service; just remember to discuss your requirements with them before you leave. 

A cat sitter can water your plants, bring in your mail, take out the trash, and turn different lights on and off, making your house look lived in and less tempting to burglars. Having a sitter drop by your house at least once a day helps ensure both your cat and your home are safe while you’re gone.

You may have asked your friends to catsit for you in the past and they happily obliged. But now that it's the holidays, they probably have plans of their own. Professional cat sitters, on the other hand, are usually available during the holiday season. In fact, this is one of the busiest times of year for them, so be sure to book early to secure your slot!

It would also be better to hire a cat sitter if your furbaby requires special care. Even if a friend is available and willing to lend you a hand during the holidays, they may not have the experience to do certain things, such as administering medication or looking after a senior cat.

Your cat may not receive the one-on-one attention they deserve at a cattery or boarding facility, but with a cat sitter, they'll get lots of cuddles and playtime. Most professional sitters are willing to tailor their service to your cat’s needs and go the extra mile for their four-legged clients. 

If you book your sitter through Wag!, you’ll even receive photo and video updates of your kitty right in the app, so you’ll know what they’re up to even if you’re miles away. With a professional sitter, you can rest easy knowing that your furbaby is in good hands!