If your cat seems lonely when you leave for work, leaving the television or radio on may help it feel more comfortable and safe, though this depends on the cat.
If you have loud neighbors, live on a busy street, or deal with other loud noises that distress your cat, leaving calming music or videos can drown out the distressing noises and replace them with soothing ones. If your cat is prone to swiping at the TV screen or doesn’t show any interest in stimulation from videos or music, leave the TV and radio off while you are gone to avoid unnecessary power use.
You can call Critter Sitters now at (404) 793-6178 to learn more about our Atlanta cat sitters and the services we offer pet parents when they travel.
When Should You Leave the Television or Radio on for Your Cat?
Your cat might get lonely when you are gone. If that’s true for your favorite feline, there are a few things you could do to alleviate the feeling.
If there are often dogs barking, police sirens, airplanes, or other loud noises outside your home, leaving the TV or radio on for your cat may be a good idea. Calming music and tones may drown out loud outdoor noises that might otherwise scare or stress your cat, especially if you are not home to provide comfort.
If your cat is used to your company or a bustling household, leaving the radio or TV on when you leave may comfort it and make the house feel less empty.
When Shouldn’t You Leave the Television or Radio on for Your Cat?
Leaving the television or radio on for your cat isn’t always the best idea, especially if it wastes too much energy or puts your pet’s physical safety at risk.
Physical Safety Risks
If your cat is known for jumping or swiping at the television when it is on, it may be in the best interest of your pet’s safety to leave the TV off when you leave the house.
If your cat gets distracted by visuals on the TV and tries to catch them, playing calming music on the radio instead may be a good alternative that still eases your pet’s anxiety.
Energy Waste
Leaving the TV or radio on all day while you are at work or any time you leave the house uses a ton of energy, so it’s important to make sure your cat actually benefits from this intentional stimulus when you are gone so that your energy bill doesn’t increase for no good reason.
If your cat seems indifferent as to whether the TV or radio is on or off, it may not be worth the electricity to keep these devices on when you are out of the house.
No Interest from Your Cat
While some cats appreciate a low hum from music, TV shows, or movies when their owners are away, others prefer the silence and even look forward to it. There’s no need to leave the television or radio on while you are gone if your cat doesn’t need the stimulation, and it might even annoy your furry friend if you do.
Signs of Distress in Your Cat
If your cat shows signs of distress or hides when you turn the TV or radio on, it likely won’t be soothing to them when you are gone, so you should probably keep all devices off to avoid additional anxiety. Pay attention to how your cat responds to the TV and radio when you are home, and take that into account when deciding whether or not to leave devices on when you leave.
What Are the Best Practices for Leaving the Television or Radio on for Your Cat?
When leaving the TV or radio on for your cat, be mindful of the volume, the content, and your pet’s physical safety.
Keep the Volume Low
If you like to leave the television or radio on for your cat when you leave the house, make sure the volume is relatively low. Cats’ hearing is much more sensitive than humans, so what might sound like the ideal listening volume for you might be too loud for your cat to hear all day long.
Choose the Right Content
When leaving the TV or radio on for your cat, choosing the right content is crucial. There are plenty of soothing songs and calming music made specifically for cats, as well as cat-specific engagement videos that help keep felines entertained when their owners are gone.
Avoid action movies, scary horror films, and loud music, as it might scare your cat and have the opposite intended effect.
Prioritize Safety
Your cat’s safety should be your top priority if you decide to leave the TV or radio on for your cat when you are at work or elsewhere. If you turn on the TV for your cat, make sure the screen is secure and mounted to the wall so your cat cannot swipe it and knock it over onto the floor or itself. If you don’t have a wall-mounted and secure TV that your cat can’t tip over or pull down, use smaller devices like tablets for videos or music.
Set Timers
You don’t have to leave the TV or radio on all day for your cat. Most modern televisions have sleep timers that automatically turn off the device after a set period, such as 30 minutes or an hour. You can use this feature to ease your cat into a day of being home alone without keeping the TV on all day long, which can be a big energy drain.
Reach Out to Critter Sitters’ Cat Sitters Now
Critter Sitters’ cat sitters can take care of your cat when you call us at (404) 793-6178.
If you have two or more cats, you also need two or more litter boxes. Two cats sharing a single litter box can lead to serious problems that are easily avoided by providing multiple litter boxes around the house.
Cats are territorial and may not want to share a litter box with another feline, especially if the two cats don’t know each other well. Two cats sharing one litter box can lead to hygiene and space issues and make it harder to track a specific cat’s health and bathroom habits. If your cats share a particularly close bond and you are dedicated to scooping multiple times a day, it may be okay for them to share a litter box, but you should still make another one available, just in case.
Get pet sitting coverage from our Sandy Springs, GA cat sitters when you call Critter Sitters at (404) 793-6178 today.
Why Shouldn’t Two Cats Share a Single Litter Box?
It isn’t necessarily good for two cats to share a single litter box, even in smaller apartments.
Territorial Instincts
Cats have territorial instincts that might complicate litter box sharing, especially if you only have one litter box in your home. One cat might guard or block the other from entering the litter box, leading to accidents elsewhere in the house. Rather than forcing your cats to share a single litter box, give them more space and multiple options so that each feline can have its own bathroom area at any given time.
Hygiene Issues
If two cats share one litter box, you could run into hygiene issues fast. The litter box will get dirty faster with two cats using it than with one, and your cats may not want to use a litter box that hasn’t been cleaned recently enough to avoid self-contamination.
The smaller a shared litter box is, and the less frequently you scoop it and deep-clean it, the more hygiene issues you might run into.
Health Tracking
Tracking a cat’s bathroom usage is a common way for owners to monitor health. Changes in bathroom usage can be harder to spot when two cats share one litter box. Giving your felines separate spaces to do their business makes it easier for you to keep track of each animal’s health and well-being and answer questions the vet might have about both of their bathroom habits.
Space Limitations
With more than one cat using a litter box, there are bound to be space limitations. Most litter clumps together after use, leaving large masses just under the surface after cats cover them. Used litter can take up a ton of space in a litter box, leaving too little room for your cats to use the litter box. If your cat has to go and the litter box is full, it might go just outside of it or elsewhere in the house.
Accidents
Two cats sharing one litter box increases the risk of bathroom accidents outside of the litter box. For cats, accidents outside of the litter box are a major red flag and typically a sign of major stress or dissatisfaction. Once a cat starts spraying or going to the bathroom outside of its litter box, stopping that habit can be extremely difficult.
Cat owners should aim to avoid accidents as much as possible, and a simple way to do this in multi-cat households is to provide at least one litter box per cat.
Is it Ever Okay for Two Cats to Share One Litter Box?
In certain situations, it may be okay for two cats to share a litter box, though it’s generally not advisable.
Close Bond
If you have a pair of bonded cats that do everything together, they may want to share a litter box, even if you offer multiple litter boxes. You should still keep an eye out for possible territorial behavior, but you can generally be less concerned about one feline blocking the other from entering a litter box if they are bonded.
Frequent Scooping
Two cats sharing a litter box may be okay if you scoop out the used litter very frequently. Two cats mean twice as much waste, so you may need to scoop the litter box several times a day to keep it clean and ensure there is enough space for your cats to use it.
Frequent litter box scooping is always important, even if you have only one cat, as litter boxes can fill up quickly.
Provide Options
Even if your cats typically use the same litter box, it is a good idea to provide other options, just in case. The general rule is to have one litter box per cat so that if a problem arises, everyone has their own space to do their business. Place a litter box on every floor of the home so your cats never have to go far to relieve themselves.
How Do You Keep Your Cat’s Litter Box Clean When You Are Out of Town?
Whether your cats share a litter box or you have one for each pet, you need someone to take over your scooping duties whenever you leave town. Keeping litter boxes clean is always important, but especially when stress and anxiety in cats are already high because of an owner’s absence.
Hire our cat sitters to keep your cat’s litter box clean whenever you are out of town and can’t do it yourself. We can scoop out litter boxes multiple times a day during each visit.
Cats might be more likely to have accidents outside a litter box when their owners are away, due to stress. Keeping litter boxes clean can become even more important in these situations and may be the only real deterrent to going outside the litter box.
Get Hands-On Care for Your Cats When You Leave Town
Call Critter Sitters’ dedicated cat sitters at (404) 793-6178 to learn more about our pet sitting service.
Cats instinctively want to use a litter box, so if your cat is suddenly not using its litter box when it goes to the bathroom, that can be indicative of a serious physical or emotional problem.
Your cat might suddenly stop using its litter box because of underlying medical issues, dissatisfaction with the litter box’s size or cleanliness, or stress or anxiety, such as after moving to a new home or when an owner goes on vacation. To make sure there isn’t a physical problem, take your cat to the vet if it demonstrates litter box issues. Sometimes, deep-cleaning or upgrading a litter box or adding more to the home solves sudden litter box issues.
Call us today at (404) 793-6178 for help from the Roswell, GA cat sitters at Critter Sitters.
Why Is My Cat Suddenly Not Using its Litter Box?
Cats generally want to use their litter boxes to cover their waste and hide the scent. If your cat has suddenly stopped using its litter box like normal and has had one or two accidents elsewhere in your house, something could be wrong.
Underlying Medical Issues
If your cat suddenly stopped using its litter box when it had never shown any signs of litter box issues before, it could be due to an underlying medical issue, such as an injury or illness. Even something as simple as arthritis could deter your older cat from climbing in and out of a litter box, especially if it is a senior.
Urinary tract infections, bladder infections, and stomach problems can also lead to accidents outside of the litter box. Underlying medical issues are a top cause of litter box issues, so take accidents in the house seriously, possibly more seriously than you would with dogs.
Litter Box Dissatisfaction
Your cat might be dissatisfied with its litter box if it suddenly starts having accidents or purposefully going to the bathroom elsewhere in the house. The litter box might be too full or dirty, too small, too exposed, or located in a loud or scary part of your house that your cat does not want to venture into, especially for such vulnerable moments.
Getting a new, larger litter box and keeping it as clean as possible may help solve your cat’s litter box issues, especially if it never had any trouble using its litter box before.
Stress and Anxiety
When cats are highly stressed or anxious, they might go outside their litter boxes to use the bathroom. This happens most often during moves from one home to another, as it may take cats some time to get accustomed to and comfortable in a new environment.
Litter box issues can also arise when cats experience separation anxiety during trips, and our cat sitters can keep an eye out for any unusual bathroom behavior while caring for your furry friend.
What Should I Do if My Cat Is Suddenly Going Outside the Litter Box?
Responding quickly to litter box issues is important; otherwise, they can be extremely hard to correct in cats of all ages.
Take Your Cat to the Vet
If your cat suddenly refuses to use its litter box and is having accidents or intentionally going elsewhere in your house, the first thing you should do is take it to the vet. If this is the first time your cat has not used its litter box, a medical issue is most likely the reason.
Take your pet to the vet to have it assessed and make sure there isn’t anything more serious going on with its health before moving on to other possible causes for your cat’s strange new bathroom behavior.
Deep-Clean the Litter Box
Litter box problems can sometimes be fixed by deep-cleaning a litter box. Rather than just scooping out the litter periodically, fully clean, wipe down, and deodorize your cat’s litter box so it is freshened up and more inviting to use. Your pet deserves a clean place to relieve itself, so keep that in mind if yours starts showing signs of litter box issues.
Offer More Litter Boxes
Your cat might be going outside of the litter box because it is too far away from its favorite sleeping spot, gets full too easily, or is too small. An easy solution in this situation is to get more litter boxes so that kitty bathrooms are always easily available to your cat, especially in an emergency.
Senior cats might experience litter box issues more than younger felines, so adding more litter boxes as your cat ages can be a proactive way to prevent litter box issues from ever happening.
Should I Be Concerned if My Cat Is Suddenly Going Outside the Litter Box?
Cats instinctively want to use litter boxes and cover their waste to hide any scent. If a cat is not participating in that natural behavior, it may be cause for concern.
You should not ignore your cat’s litter box issues. Even going outside of the litter box once is a red flag that your cat is unhappy, stressed, or potentially injured or sick. Litter box issues are a cause for concern in any cat, regardless of its age or medical history. You don’t have to panic over an accident in the house, but you should take litter box issues very seriously.
If your cat suddenly goes outside of the litter box when under Critter Sitters’ care, we can clean up the accident and take it to the vet for an assessment. We can also alert you of litter box issues so that you are constantly updated on your cat’s behavior and stress levels while you are out of town.
Get the Help You Need from Our Cat Sitters by Calling Us Today
Call Critter Sitters at (404) 793-6178 to hire our cat sitters today.
Cats appreciate a clean litter box, and you should scoop it often, maybe even more often than you think.
Scoop your cat’s litter box at least once a day, twice or more if you have multiple cats that share litter boxes. The more often you scoop the litter box, the more control you can have over odors and hygiene. In addition to daily scooping, you should thoroughly clean the litter box periodically and even replace it every year or so. Not scooping your cat’s litter box often enough can create distrust between you, and your cat might start developing an aversion to using its litter box.
For pet-sitting coverage from our caring Atlanta cat sitters, call Critter Sitters at (404) 793-6178.
How Many Times a Day Should You Scoop Your Cat’s Litter Box?
Your cat relies on you to scoop its litter box daily, so it has enough room to use it. If you don’t scoop its litter at least once a day, your cat might start to get stressed.
Once Per Day
In most cat households, scooping a litter box once per day is generally enough. Scooping once a day may not be enough if you have multiple cats sharing litter boxes, so keep that in mind.
You should scoop your cat’s litter box at least once a day so that it doesn’t get too full for your cat to use, which is when cats are most likely to go outside of the litter box intentionally.
Make sure to replenish litter after scooping so that there are 3 to 4 inches of litter for your cat to use.
Twice Per Day
Many pet owners scoop litter boxes twice per day to keep things extra clean for their feline friends. More frequent scooping, especially after your cat uses the litter box, helps reduce odors and makes using it more enjoyable for your cat.
More Than Twice Per Day
If you have several cats that share a litter box, your cat has been using the litter box more frequently than usual, or your cat has recently shown signs of frustration that its litter box isn’t clean enough, you may decide to scoop your cat’s litter three or even four times per day.
The more frequently you scoop your cat’s litter, the less cleaning you’ll have to do each time. To really limit odors, scoop your cat’s litter box after each use.
How Often Should You Deep-Clean Your Cat’s Litter Box?
In addition to daily scooping, you should periodically deep-clean your cat’s litter box to keep it hygienic, welcoming, and safe.
Every two to four weeks, or so, maybe more, deep-clean your cat’s litter box. This entails emptying all the litter, not just scooping clumps, washing and sanitizing the tray, and then letting it dry completely before filling it with new litter.
If your cat uses a plastic litter box, you may need to clean it more frequently than if it uses a stainless steel or metal one, since plastic retains odors and bacteria more readily.
Once your cat’s litter box is completely clean and dry, fill it with three to four inches of fresh litter for your cat to use.
When Should You Replace Your Cat’s Litter Box?
Your cat deserves a new litter box now and then, and it might make it clear that it is unhappy with its current bathroom setup through its behavior.
Lingering Odors
If your cat has been using its litter box for some time, it may have lingering odors even after you deep-clean it. When this happens, it’s most likely time for you to get a new litter box. If your cat is attached to its current litter box, you can repurchase the same kind for an easier transition.
Plastic Wear and Scratches
Cats might scratch and wipe their paws on plastic litter boxes as they bury waste and exit. Scratches and other wear and tear occur over time, so replacing your cat’s plastic litter box every 6 to 12 months is generally a good idea, though this depends on the cat.
Cat Avoidance
If your cat refuses to use its litter box, even when it’s clean and free of clumps, it could be because it doesn’t want to use that specific box. Cats can be very particular and might refuse to use a litter box that they don’t like, whether because of the material, location in your house, or any other reason.
What Can Happen if You Don’t Scoop Your Cat’s Litter Box Enough?
Not scooping your cat’s litter enough causes problems that are easily avoidable with frequent scooping.
Odor Problems
The most obvious consequence of not scooping your cat’s litter box enough is that it will start to smell. With frequent scooping, visitors may not realize you own a cat when they enter your home.
Litter Box Aversion
One of the most concerning consequences of not scooping your cat’s litter box frequently enough is that it will stop using its litter box to do its business. Litter box aversion is a major red flag in cats and should be taken very seriously. This sometimes happens when owners fail to clean litter boxes enough, leaving them too full for cats to use.
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are already common in cats, and the risk of contracting one increases when they hold their urine to avoid using a dirty litter box or to avoid having an accident in the house. Urinary tract problems can be very serious in cats and sometimes even fatal.
If you notice the litter box isn’t as full when you clean it, it could be a sign that your cat has a urinary tract infection and isn’t going to the bathroom, in which case you should take it to the vet immediately.
Reach Out to Our Experienced Cat Sitters Now
Get help from our cat sitters by calling Critter Sitters at (404) 793-6178.
It’s normal for a cat’s appetite to decrease for a bit right after its owner leaves town. If your pet’s eating habits really start to suffer, there may be several reasons why.
The main reason cats stop eating or eat less when their owners are away is anxiety and stress. Your cat feels safe with you there and might be concerned that you’ve gone. Routine changes can cause changes in appetite and eating, too, so it’s a good idea to schedule pet-sitting visits around your cat’s typical mealtimes. We will inform you if your cat is not eating enough or at all while you are away, and we will encourage it to eat and whet its appetite with a high-value treat. If that doesn’t work, there could be an underlying medical problem, and our sitters can take your cat to the vet right away.
Call (404) 793-6178 and speak with the Sandy Springs, GA cat sitters at Critter Sitters about the services we offer to pet parents while they are away.
Top Reasons Why Your Cat is Not Eating While You’re Away
Your cat might not be eating while you are away for several reasons. A lowered appetite for the first day or two you are gone is normal, but refusing food entirely for multiple days could be a sign of a serious underlying medical problem.
Separation Anxiety and Stress
It’s extremely common for cats’ appetites to wane when their owners leave town. Being separated from the humans they love most can cause serious anxiety and stress in cats, who might be worried that their owners are gone for good.
Especially if you work from home and usually spend most of the day with your cat, it might be more stressed or anxious and less likely to eat as it normally would right after you leave. This isn’t necessarily cause for immediate concern, but it is something our sitters will pay close attention to during mealtimes.
Changes to its Routine
Cats are creatures of habit, and they thrive with a steady routine. Changing their daily routines can be confusing, and cats might refuse to eat or eat too little in protest. Keeping daily routines as normal as possible is one of our cat sitters’ top priorities. When in our care, your cat should get its meals at the same times of day it typically eats, so it is hungry and expecting food when presented with it.
Underlying Medical Issues
Unfortunately, hidden illnesses and medical conditions are another common reason why cats stop eating when their owners are away. While the sudden change in your diet is most likely due to stress or a change in your routine, we can look for other signs of an underlying medical issue, such as excessive fatigue, sudden behavioral changes, litter box issues, and poor grooming habits. If your cat refuses food for too long, we can take it to the vet for immediate care before you get home.
What Should a Pet Sitter Do if Your Cat is Not Eating While You’re Away?
Our cat sitters have experience with cats that eat less or stop eating altogether when their owners are gone, and can make sure your cat is well cared for and that you are well informed of the situation at all times.
Keep You Updated
If your cat is not eating well or at all while you’re away, the pet sitter you hire should tell you immediately. Sitters should pay attention to how much of their meals cats eat, and if they throw up or get sick afterward. Litter box usage can give us a good idea of how well your cat is eating and drinking, and we can also keep you updated on that front. Changes in litter box habits can also be a sign of underlying medical problems in cats of all ages.
Sitters can send daily videos and pictures of cats eating to address any concerns an owner might have about their pets’ appetites and eating habits. We can also update you after each meal is fed and eaten to alleviate any stress.
Offer Your Cat High-Value Treats
High-value treats might convince an anxious cat to eat something while its owner is away. Before leaving on vacation, stock up on your cat’s favorite treats and point them out to your sitter. If your cat shows no interest in the high-value treat that it normally can’t resist and is also not eating its meals, that may be an indication that there is an underlying medical issue that requires immediate attention.
Increase Number of Daily Visits
Sometimes, a cat’s poor eating habits when its owner is out of town stem from feeling unsafe and unprotected. Cats feel extremely vulnerable when eating and may feel more comfortable with a companion near them at mealtimes. If this is the case for your cat, our sitters can increase the number of daily visits your cat receives.
Some cat owners start with one daily visit and increase to two or three per day, depending on their cats’ responses to being home alone between visits. Tell us if you’re concerned about your cat’s eating habits or other behavior since you’ve been away, and whether you’d feel more comfortable with more frequent visits, up to four per day.
Take Your Cat to the Vet
A pet sitter should be prepared to take your cat to the vet if its appetite disappears and it refuses to eat when you are out of town. If we cannot take your cat to its regular veterinarian because it is off-hours and the office is closed, we can pivot to a nearby emergency vet instead. We will update you on everything that happens at the vet and get your permission for procedures or treatments.
Trust Our Pet Sitters with Your Cat While You’re Away
For help from Critter Sitters, call our loving Atlanta cat sitters today at (404) 793-6178.
Because you won’t be there during daily pet-sitting visits, you deserve to know what happens when our pet sitters stop by your home to spend time with your furry friend when you’re elsewhere.
Pet-sitting visits start with arrival and greeting, which may differ from household to household depending on an animal’s comfort level. All medications will be administered, meals will be fed, and bathroom breaks will be taken. In addition to playing and exercising, we can clean up toys and possible accidents, as well as perform our other out-of-town services at no additional cost. Visits end with our sitters locking up and sending much-anticipated updates to owners.
You can call (404) 793-6178 to find out more about the Atlanta professional pet sitting services offered at Critter Sitters.
What Happens During Professional Pet-Sitting Visits?
We’ll walk you through everything that happens during professional pet-sitting visits from the attentive and capable pet sitters of Critter Sitters.
Pet Sitter’s Arrival and Greeting
The first thing that happens during each visit from a professional pet sitter is the pet sitter’s arrival and initial greeting with your pet. Every animal is different, with some happy to welcome new friends into their homes and others wary of strangers and more territorial. Based on the information we get from you and our experience with your dog or cat, we can approach your pet with the right level of enthusiasm so it feels comfortable from the get-go.
The initial arrival is also when we can check around for signs of accidents, spills, or other things your pet might have gotten into between visits. We’re there to keep an eye out for your furry friend and to address anything that could be a possible hazard to its safety.
Medication Administration
If your pet relies on daily medication for its continued health and well-being, administering it will be another part of each pet-sitting visit from Critter Sitters. We will ask for detailed instructions on the daily medications your pet takes, the exact dosages, and how you typically administer medications, such as with your pet’s favorite treat.
Do not leave the health of your dog or cat to just anyone, and trust our pet sitters to follow instructions for medication administration extremely closely. We can administer medications with the same attention to detail and care you would at home.
Feeding
Of course, mealtime is an essential part of each professional pet-sitting visit. If your pet only eats twice a day, you might only require two daily visits from a Critter Sitters pet sitter. The more we know about your pet’s mealtime routine and eating habits, the better we can prepare for visits. Dogs and cats sometimes eat less when their owners are gone, and our sitters can keep an eye on your pet’s appetite to make sure it is getting enough nutrients.
Bathroom Breaks
Dogs need multiple bathroom breaks throughout the day, making walks an essential part of every visit from Critter Sitters’ dog sitters. In general, the number of times you walk your dog each day is about the number of times you should have a pet sitter visit when you are out of town. You might schedule three visits per day while your dog is getting accustomed to our care, then switch to two once your dog is more comfortable with the new routine.
Frequent walks prevent accidents at home and help dogs burn off energy so they do not get into trouble between drop-in pet-sitting visits.
Play and Exercise
Playtime is a daily non-negotiable for almost all domesticated cats and dogs. Especially when they are home alone, pets might store a lot of pent-up energy that they need to release in a safe, controlled way. Playing is important not only for your pet’s physical health and well-being but also for its mental health, helping to relieve any stress and anxiety associated with your absence.
Tidying and Out-of-Town Services
Pet sitters should tidy up before completing pet-sitting visits. That may entail washing dirty food bowls, cleaning out litter boxes, putting toys away, and latching gates or closing specific doors you do not want your pet to access when it’s alone.
We can also perform our free out-of-town services at this point during visits, which include bringing mail and packages inside, watering houseplants, turning off lights, and cleaning up after accidents or messes your pet creates.
Lock Up and Updates
Pet-sitting visits end with our sitters making sure your pet is safe and sound in the house before we leave. You can trust us to lock all doors to your home and even set any security systems you have in place. After the visit, we can summarize it for you and send you a meaningful update that assures you your pet is happy, health, and safe, helping you relax while on vacation.
What Shouldn’t Happen During a Professional Pet-Sitting Visit?
There are also plenty of things that should never happen during a professional pet-sitting visit out of respect for your home, privacy, and your pet’s health and safety.
Pet sitters should not enter any private areas of the home without explicit permission from pet owners. Not only is this an invasion of privacy, but it could also make your pet vulnerable to certain items you specifically wanted to keep it away from while you were out of town.
Pet sitters should also never bring guests with them on visits. Their priority at all times should be your pet, not socializing with friends.
In general, pet sitters should not violate your boundaries, feed your pet any unapproved treats or food, take your pet to unapproved locations, or miss any of the pet-sitting visits they committed to.
Professional Pet Sitters You Can Trust with Your Dog, Cat, or Other Pet
Call Critter Sitters now at (404) 793-6178 to get coverage from our professional pet sitters for dogs, cats, and more.
As a pet owner, you want to ensure you make the right decision for your pet’s care while you are out of town. If you are on the fence about whether to have a pet sitter stay overnight or make reliable drop-in visits, we may help you decide.
Drop-in visits from trustworthy pet sitters are generally much more cost-effective than hiring a pet sitter to stay overnight. It also allows for greater privacy and boundaries, as the pet sitter will not be staying in your space when you are away. Whether or not drop-in visits from pet sitters are right for you and your pet depends on how independent and accustomed to its routine your furry friend is and how long you plan to be out of town.
Call our pet sitters for dogs, cats, and more at (404) 793-6178 for drop-in pet-sitting visits from Critter Sitters.
Why Should Your Pet Sitter Make Drop-In Visits Rather Than Stay Overnight?
Pet owners choose drop-in visits instead of overnight stays for pet sitting for many reasons, including the cost-effectiveness, flexibility, privacy, and convenience they offer.
Cost-Effectiveness
One of the main reasons why pet owners choose to hire sitters for drop-in visits rather than overnight stays is their cost-effectiveness. Overnight pet sitters may charge different day and night rates, while our pet sitters charge the same base rate of $26 per visit for the first cat or dog. Rates only increase if you have multiple pets. The extra charge is an additional $4 for a second dog and $3 for a second cat, keeping drop-in visits affordable.
Two or three visits from a pet sitter per day for multiple days may still cost much less than hiring an in-home pet sitter for one or even two nights.
Drop-in visits from pet sitters are also typically a more affordable option than boarding pets in kennels. Drop-in visits are often seen as a safer option than boarding, as they allow for more hands-on attention and care than a crowded kennel can provide.
Better Boundaries and Privacy
If you were to hire an overnight pet sitter, they would essentially live in your home while you are away on vacation. Understandably, pet owners may be uncomfortable with the idea of a sitter watching TV on their couch late at night or possibly even sleeping in their bed, depending on the arrangement.
Pet sitters that offer drop-in visits, like Critter Sitters, can stick exclusively to the kitchen and living areas your pet has access to and avoid any private areas of your home, such as bedrooms and offices. There can be clearer rules and boundaries in this scenario, which may make home and pet owners more comfortable welcoming sitters into their homes.
Free Out-of-Town Services
You still get free out-of-town services with drop-in pet sitting visits from Critter Sitters, giving you peace of mind that someone is keeping an eye on your home and property, while also knowing that they are still respecting your privacy. Watering plants throughout your house, bringing in any mail or packages, closing windows and blinds, turning lights on and off at specific times, and cleaning up any toys or messes your pet makes are all included in out-of-town services for drop-in pet-sitting visits.
Flexibility and Convenience
Drop-in visits are much more flexible and convenient than overnight pet-sitting stays. Especially if you become a Critter Sitters “key client,” you can request last-minute coverage from our pet sitters if you are unexpectedly away for the night or need someone you trust to come to walk your dog or feed your cat when you are stuck at the office longer or have a social event.
We are also flexible and can work with you if a trip unexpectedly takes longer than you originally anticipated and you need coverage for another day.
How to Know if Drop-In Visits from Pet Sitters Are Right for Your Pet
Tell us more about your furry friend, and we can tell you whether or not we’d suggest drop-in visits for your independent pet.
How Independent is Your Pet?
To see whether drop-in visits from pet sitters are right for your pet, ask yourself how independent your pet is and answer honestly. If your cat or dog often spends long stretches of time alone, such as when you are at the office during the workday, it may be well-suited for drop-in visits, and might even feel uncomfortable with an overnight pet sitter there all of the time.
How Long is Your Trip Out of Town?
Drop-in pet-sitting visits are generally best for short trips and weekend stays. Of course, how long you may feel comfortable traveling with only drop-in pet-sitting visits depends on your confidence in your pet and its independence.
If your trip ends up being longer than expected due to weather or flight issues, our sitters can continue our daily visits until you get home.
How Accustomed is Your Pet to Its Routine?
If you have spent years making your pet accustomed to its daily routine, drop-in visits may be the best solution when you are traveling for a short period. Pet sitters can schedule visits around an animal’s normal routine, so it receives meals or goes for walks when it expects to.
When Should You Consider Overnight Pet Sitting for Your Pet Instead of Drop-In Visits?
Not all pets are well-suited to drop-in visits, so keep that in mind before scheduling pet-sitting coverage for an upcoming trip.
Drop-in visits aren’t right for every pet, and you should consider overnight pet sitting if your cat or dog is especially anxious, elderly, or particularly medically complex.
Also, consider your own comfort levels when deciding whether drop-in visits or overnight stays are right for your household.
Set Up Drop-In Pet-Sitting Visits with Critter Sitters
Call Critter Sitters at (404) 793-6178 for more about our pet sitters making drop-in visits.
Pet owners with multiple pets may feel better knowing that all their furry friends are home together while they are away on vacation, rather than separated or stressed out at a kennel. We regularly care for multi-pet households, giving pet parents the peace of mind they need.
To prepare your multi-pet household for an in-home sitter, leave pet-specific instructions for each dog, cat, or other animal. All pets are different, and we need to know the ins and outs of each animal we care for. Designating separate eating areas can help ensure everyone is well-fed, and stocking up on food, litter, and other supplies is a good idea, as these items run out much faster in multi-pet households. Keeping the pack together is not only a convenient solution for traveling pet parents, but an affordable one, thanks to our low rates.
For help from Atlanta pet sitters you can trust, call Critter Sitters at (404) 793-6178.
How Can You Prepare Your Multi-Pet Household for an In-Home Pet Sitter?
The better you prepare your multi-pet household for an in-home pet sitter, the less stressed or confused your pets might be when you leave town for a short or longer period.
Pet-Specific Instructions
If you have multiple pets, you know better than anyone how different their personalities may be. Even within the same species or breed, personalities can differ dramatically, as can an animal’s aggression triggers, energy levels, medical needs, and how much it likes to socialize with humans.
Leave pet-specific instructions for each of your furry friends so that an in-home pet sitter knows how to treat each one how you typically would. Be as specific as you can so that our sitters can feel like we know your pets before ever even meeting them.
Separate Feeding Areas
If your pets regularly try to steal food from each other during meal times, it may be a good idea to designate separate feeding areas for your multiple pets. Even if you feed them side by side at home, their behavior could change when you aren’t there to supervise meals. Separate feeding areas help ensure that all of the animals in your multi-pet household are well fed and get the daily nutrients they need.
We can supervise mealtimes in your absence to ensure all your pets are eating enough and aren’t skipping meals due to stress or separation anxiety.
Separate Supplies
Gather the leashes, food, and other supplies associated with each animal, and separate them so that your in-home pet sitter knows what belongs to which dog, cat, or other pet. Senior dogs and cats might get special food, while dogs still training to walk might have to wear harnesses with leashes.
Labeling or color-coding your pets’ supplies is a good way to differentiate items and can be of great help to an in-home pet sitter.
Point Out No Access Areas
It’s a good idea to close doors, use gates, or otherwise block off certain areas of your home when you leave pets behind to go on vacation. Doing this helps ensure your pets don’t get into any trouble in those areas between pet-sitting visits and clearly communicates to pet sitters not to enter such parts of your home.
Stock Up on Supplies
Multi-pet households tend to run through food and other supplies fairly quickly. To make sure that doesn’t happen when you are miles away and out of town, stock up on all of the supplies your pets use daily. Have plenty of extra food, treats, bags, litter, and anything else that’s part of your pet’s normal routine.
How Can You Prepare Your Multiple Pets for an In-Home Pet Sitter?
Having multiple pets might make you feel better about hiring a pet sitter, since you know that your pets won’t ever really be truly alone when you are gone, even between visits. Owners leaving town can be emotionally challenging for pets of all ages, so you should do everything you can to make the experience less stressful for your pack.
To help prepare your multi-pet household for our pet sitters, we offer free at-home orientations. All of your dogs, cats, or other pets can meet the pet sitter and interact with them in the room with you. Your pets can also witness you interacting with the pet sitter, which can make them feel far more comfortable in the future when the sitter arrives and you are not there.
How Much Does an In-Home Pet Sitter Cost for Multi-Pet Households?
Pet sitting can be significantly more affordable and convenient than boarding dogs or cats, even for multi-pet households that require extra work and attention from pet sitters.
Pet Sitting Rates for Multi-Dog Households
Critter Sitters’ per-visit rate starts at $26 for the first dog. If you have several dogs, each dog after the first will add an extra $4 to the per-visit rate. For example, if you have two dogs, the per-visit cost would be just $30, and so on.
Kennels might charge far more per night while providing less hands-on attention and care than an in-home pet sitter could.
Pet Sitting Rates for Multi-Cat Households
Critter Sitters’ per-visit rate for cats also starts at $26 for the first cat. If you have several cats, each cat after the first will add an extra $3 to the per-visit rate. For example, if you have two cats, the per-visit cost would be just $29, and so on.
Cats deserve attentive pet sitters, not just friends and family who stop by once or twice a day to feed them and scoop their litter boxes. We make that affordable reality for cat owners with our low pet-sitting rates.
Trust Our Pet Sitters with Your Multi-Pet Household
Call Critter Sitters at (404) 793-6178 for more information about our pet sitting service and rates.
You should leave detailed instructions and important information when you hire a pet sitter to watch your cat or dog for any period of time so that the sitter knows exactly what to do and how to treat your pet.
Leave your pet sitter with your contact information and the contact information of those you are traveling with, your vet’s contact information, your pet’s microchip number and vaccination documents, instructions for mealtimes, walks, administering medication, and where to find any additional supplies, such as food or litter. The more informed a sitter is about your pet’s personality and normal schedule, the better they can care for your furry friend.
Call (404) 793-6178 to schedule coverage with the Virginia-Highland pet sitters of Critter Sitters.
What Information Do You Need to Leave for Your Pet Sitter?
Leave your pet sitter with any and all information you think they need to give your pet the proper care and attention it needs.
Pet Owner’s Contact Information
Ensure your pet sitter can easily contact you at any time about your furry friend by providing your contact information. You can also give a sitter the name of the hotel or other accommodation where you are staying, as well as the phone numbers of those you are traveling with in case we cannot reach you directly.
Preferred Vet’s Contact Information
Always tell a sitter who your preferred veterinarian is, where their practice is located, and what their contact information is. You can also give us the contact information of an emergency veterinarian in your area who you trust.
Pet’s Information
Before going away on vacation, leave your pet sitter with your cat or dog’s information, such as their vaccination records and microchip number. Give details about your pet’s personality, likes, dislikes, and any unique quirks it might have that our sitters should be prepared for, such as food aggression or frequent accidents.
Mealtime Instructions
Your dog or cat might refuse to eat if its dining routine changes too much and its owner is out of town, so leaving your sitter with detailed meal instructions is important. You can even show the sitter how you prepare a meal before you leave town. Tell your sitter about any daily supplements you add to your pet’s food, where your pet typically prefers to eat, and what time you normally serve meals.
Be as detailed as you need to be with your mealtime instructions, and show sitters where they can find everything they need to make your pet’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner as you normally would if you were home.
Description of Daily Schedule
It’s always helpful when pet owners leave a description of their pets’ daily schedule. Knowing what your pet expects on a day-to-day basis helps Critter Sitters meet its needs and keep it comfortable when you are out of town. Include the usual timing of walks, meals, playtime, and anything else your dog or cat has come to expect during the day, like when it typically goes to sleep for the night.
Favorite Toys
Don’t leave your pet with a sitter without pointing out its favorite toys, which may be the best way for the sitter to bond with your dog, cat, or other pet in your absence.
Favorite Treats
Stock up on your pet’s favorite treats as well, and show your sitter where they can find them in your house. Tell the sitter how often you give your pet treats, if you take training treats on walks, or if there are certain treats that your pet should not have because of an allergy or medical condition.
Where to Find Supplies
Pet owners should always take the time to show pet sitters where they keep their pets’ supplies to replenish food, walking bags, treats, litter, and other items so that sitters don’t have to go searching for supplies themselves.
Medication Instructions
If your pet takes any prescription medication, leave your sitter with precise instructions about dosages, medication names, when to administer medication, and how to administer the medication, such as hiding it in peanut butter or your pet’s food.
Security Alarm Codes
To keep your home secure while you are out of town, leave your sitter with any security alarm codes and keys they need to enter your house and lock up behind them when they leave. We can set alarms and lock doors to maintain optimal home security while you are away.
Off-Limits Areas
Pet owners should be clear with sitters about any off-limits areas, such as bedrooms or entire second or third floors. Not only can we prevent your cat or dog from entering off-limits areas, but our sitters can also stay away from them out of respect for your privacy.
Household Maintenance Expectations
Out-of-town services are included in pet sitting visits, so you can leave instructions for watering plants, bringing mail and packages inside, taking out the trash, turning lights on and off, and other general household maintenance tasks.
What Information Should You Get from Your Pet Sitter?
Don’t hesitate to ask our pet sitters any questions you have about our services, and expect honest answers.
Starting Rates
The initial rate per visit for one dog or cat is $26, and there is an extra $4 for each additional dog and $3 for each additional cat.
Daily Visits
Your pet sitter should also answer all the questions you have about daily visits, such as the frequency and what happens during each visit.
Experience
Pet owners can always ask questions about a sitter’s experience before hiring them to watch their dogs or cats. Pet sitters should provide transparent, straightforward answers and be happy to talk about their previous experience.
Get Pet Sitting Coverage from Critter Sitters Today
Call Critter Sitters today at (404) 793-6178 to get help from our pet sitters.
The number of daily pet-sitting visits that’s right for your dog depends on many factors, all of which our dedicated pet sitters can help you weigh to make the right decision for your furry friend.
The average dog needs three daily pet-sitting visits when its owner is out of town. For puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with complicated medical needs, four daily visits may be more appropriate. At the very minimum, dogs need at least two daily visits from pet sitters so they get the bathroom breaks and meals they need. If needed, you can modify the frequency of daily visits or extend our pet-sitting service if your return home is delayed.
Call Critter Sitters today at (404) 793-6178 to schedule pet-sitting visits with our dog sitters.
How Many Daily Pet-Sitting Visits Does the Average Dog Need During Vacation?
Most dogs are social animals that crave interaction throughout the day, not to mention needing several daily bathroom breaks. It’s important to schedule the right number of daily visits for your dog when you are on vacation to avoid boredom, accidents, and feelings of abandonment brewing in your furry friend.
Three pet-sitting visits per day are necessary for the average dog. Your dog may already have a routine of getting walked three times a day, so trying to scale it back to two times to limit pet-sitting visits could have negative results.
Tell us more about your pet’s daily routine, age, history of accidents, and anything else we may need to know to suggest the right number of daily visits.
How Many Daily Pet-Sitting Visits Do Puppies Need During Vacation?
Puppies generally need more hands-on attention, training, and oversight than adult dogs, and may need more daily visits from their pet sitters because of it.
For puppies still getting used to their new walking schedule, four visits per day may be necessary. Not only are puppies at a higher risk for bathroom accidents in the house, but they might also feel abandoned and lonely with anything less than four visits per day.
How Many Daily Pet-Sitting Visits Do Senior Dogs Need During Vacation?
Senior dogs can take it hard when their owners go away on vacation, and you can adjust your number of daily visits to accommodate your pet’s needs while you are out of town.
Senior dogs need more frequent bathroom breaks, so four visits per day is normally the right amount for these pets. Senior dogs can also feel anxious when separated from their owners, so more frequent social interaction with a trusted pet sitter is almost always welcome.
How Many Daily Pet-Sitting Visits Do Medically Complex Dogs Need During Vacation?
Many dogs are medically complex and rely on daily medications to stay healthy. Depending on your dog’s needs and how often it receives its medication, we can suggest the right number of daily visits.
Your medically complex dog may need between three and four visits per day from pet sitters. We can stick to your dog’s medication schedule and administer the right dosages at the right times.
While caring for medically complex dogs, our sitters can watch for signs of health issues that might need attention from an emergency vet.
What is the Minimum Daily Pet-Sitting Visits Dogs Need During Vacation?
All dogs are unique, and some might not need as many daily check-ins as others. Still, multiple daily visits are necessary to avoid accidents in the house and to feed meals, even for the most independent of dogs.
Two visits per day is the absolute minimum number of daily visits for dogs whose owners are away on vacation. Two daily visits may be too few for most dogs, and just right for others, like established adults.
Unlike cats, dogs need to be taken outside to relieve themselves. Think about your dog’s comfort when scheduling visits, and don’t make it wait too long between bathroom breaks.
What Times Should You Schedule Your Dog’s Daily Pet-Sitting Visits During Vacation?
Setting the right schedule for pet-sitting visits while you are gone on vacation is absolutely crucial so that your dog doesn’t get overwhelmed, upset, or confused when our sitters take over its care.
Schedule your dog’s daily pet-sitting visits around its normal walking and eating schedule. Limiting big changes keeps your dog on the same bathroom and sleeping schedule, and helps keep it calm and happy while you are away on vacation.
What if Your Dog Needs More Daily Pet-Sitting Visits During Vacation?
Sometimes, pets respond poorly to their owners leaving town, and owners realize that they need more daily visits to keep their dogs calm and happy. Our sitters are happy to accommodate you in this situation to alleviate any stress you or your dog feels.
Tell your pet sitter if you think your dog needs more daily pet-sitting visits than you originally planned for. If you need to extend pet-sitting services because of unexpected travel delays, your sitter can accommodate you, ensuring your dog is not left home alone and uncared for.
How Much Do Daily Pet-Sitting Visits for Dogs Cost?
Critter Sitters’ rates are affordable and transparent, letting pet owners know exactly how much they can expect to spend each day they are away on vacation, depending on the number of daily visits and the number of animals in a household.
Each visit from our pet sitters starts at $26 for the first dog or other animal. For each additional dog after the first, there is an extra $4 fee per visit. These affordable rates enable pet parents to keep all of their dogs together in the safety of their own home, rather than overspending on boarding at a kennel.
Get Help from Critter Sitters’ Dog Sitters
Get coverage from our dog sitters by calling Critter Sitters at (404) 793-6178.
