How to Get More Cat Sitting Clients on Wag!

If you’re just starting out as a cat sitter with Wag!, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. With so many experienced and loving Pet Caregivers out there, growing your pet sitting business takes time. 

But don’t worry, there’s plenty you can do to attract more clients and take your cat sitting business to the next level. From communicating with clients to setting the right rates, here’s how to become a sought-after sitter on Wag!.

Your journey to pet sitting superstardom starts with a better bio. Your Wag! profile bio may only be brief, but it can make or break your pet sitting business. Your profile is the first thing a Pet Parent sees when deciding whether you can be trusted to look after their fur-baby, so it’s vital to put some time and effort into what you write.

Your bio should show potential clients that you’re professional and reliable, that you’re passionate about pets, and detail any special skills or qualifications you have. It’s also a good idea to include a little bit about yourself — anything that helps you establish a personal connection with a Pet Parent can convince them that you’re the right sleepover buddy for their cat.

For more info, check out our guide to writing a Wag! profile bio that wins clients, and take a look at these 7 great profile examples for some inspiration.

Price is a huge factor when choosing a cat sitter. The rate you set must meet two key criteria. It has to be a reasonable and affordable price that a Pet Parent would be happy to pay. But it also has to ensure that you earn a sufficient amount for your time and effort, and for the level of care you provide.

But getting your rate just right can be tricky, so there are several factors to consider before picking a price. These include:

• Where you live and what other sitters near you charge for their services
• Your cat sitting experience
• Any special qualifications or skills you have
• Your expenses (e.g., transport)

The average rate charged by sitters on the Wag! app is $39–$59 range for an overnight stay for 1 pet. Research how much the best cat sitters near you charge before deciding on your ideal rate.

For more useful tips on setting the right rates, check out our guide on how much to charge for a dog sitting.

Good communication is a key talent for any successful cat sitter. It shows Pet Parents that you’re professional and reliable, and it helps them feel more comfortable about leaving their beloved cat in your care.

So if you’re going to get more cat sitting clients on Wag!, you’ll need to brush up on your communication skills. Whether you’re speaking to a Pet Parent in person or conversing via text, be friendly and polite. Respond promptly to messages and requests from clients, and be sure to ask lots of questions about the cat you’ll be looking after so you can provide personalized care.

It’s also important to stay in regular touch with each client while they’re away and you’re staying with their fur-baby. Pet Parents love getting photo and video updates so they can keep track of all their pet’s adventures, so going the extra mile can make a big difference.

Related: How Often Should You Send Pet Parents Updates?

There’s no special qualification needed to become a pet sitter, but you can add pet care qualifications to your resume to help your profile stand out. 

Think about it from the perspective of a Pet Parent for a minute. Which cat sitter would you rather choose to mind your fur-baby: the one who has completed a pet first aid course, or the one who hasn’t?  

Completing pet first aid training is a simple way to boost your profile, but there are other options too. For example, maybe you’ve had prior experience working in a veterinary setting, maybe you’ve studied animal behavior or safe animal handling, or maybe you volunteer at an animal shelter. 

Whatever it may be, be sure to include any relevant experience that makes you better qualified to care for pets.

An understanding of cat body language is another important weapon to add to your arsenal. This will help you recognize the telltale signs that a feline client is happy, anxious, or even unwell, and then cater to their needs accordingly.

However, remember that you need to look at the cat’s entire body language, not just focus on 1 body part, and consider the context of the situation to gauge how a cat is really feeling. You’ll then be able to make their time with you much more relaxing and positive — a fact that Pet Parents will be quick to notice. Check out our cat body language guide for a rundown of some of the basics. 

You can also find more useful advice like this with these 5 pro tips for becoming a cat sitter.

If you’re looking for ways to get more clients on Wag!, don’t ignore the power of promotion. There are plenty of simple ways to get your name out there and spread the word about your services, so don’t be shy.

The best place to start is to promote your cat sitting services on social media. Instagram is the go-to for many Pet Caregivers, including Brylee E. in Maryland. Check out this sweet snap she recently shared to promote her pet sitting services:

You can also promote your biz right from the Wag! app. Simply go to the main menu in the Wag! Pet Caregiver app, tap “Profile” and then tap “Promote.” You can also consider online advertising and create a Google My Business profile for your sitting services. 

If you prefer an old-fashioned marketing approach, print out flyers to distribute in your local area so you can connect with Pet Parents near you. Even asking friends and family to spread the word can help, so let word of mouth work in your favor.

Take a look at our guide to promoting your business through Wag! for more helpful advice.

Cat sitting may be your main focus on Wag!, but providing additional services is a great way to build your pet care business. For example, you could also offer your services as a dog sitter, board pets in your own home, or offer drop-in visits so you can check on pets during the day while their Pet Parents are at work.

This is a simple but effective way to boost your Wag! profile. First, it’ll help you earn lots more 5-star reviews and badges, which will help you stand out as a leading Pet Caregiver. Second, it’ll also mean getting out there and meeting plenty of Pet Parents, so when they’re looking for someone they can trust to look after their cat (and their home), your name will be the first one on their lips.

Finally, the most important thing you can do to boost your cat sitting business is provide a high level of care to all your feline clients. It’s an obvious point to make, but the equation is simple: the better the sitting experience you provide for pets and their parents, the more likely you are to win repeat clients as well as new ones. 

So if you’re wondering how to get more clients on Wag!, think about how you can become a truly special sitter. The aim is to offer a 5-star service from start to finish, from your very first message to the Pet Parent to the moment they return to a spotless home and a happy kitty. 

Give each cat client all the love and attention they need, make sure all their special care needs are met, and treat them with the same devotion you would your own fur-baby. If you can do that, it won’t be long before the new clients start rolling in.