To think my cat sitter was in the wrong?

I’m probably a bit soft but I’d have probably left her inside but done additional checks (and not charged). I’m a people pleaser with my own moral compass though 🫤

The difference is, when you are there the doors open. The cat comes and goes whenever it likes. It sleeps inside at night as well and cries to come in at bedtime but you just wanted her to be left out all night for four nights which isn't her normal routine.

You need a cat flap or you need to pay someone to stay over night to stick to the cats normal routine. My cat comes and goes as she pleases. Sometimes she decides to stay out in the summer but you can guarantee there's multiple times in summer we need to run down and let her in as she's screaming blue murder as another cats appeared wanting to fight her, no way would I ever risk leaving her out without someone there to let her in in that situation.

It's already disruptive to them their owner being away, never mind totally disrupting their normal routine and leaving them at risk of being attacked by other cats and no one their to help them in the night.

OP can get... a cat flap. There, done!
It is not difficult, is it?

No need to leave a cat outside, crying to get in, in a heatwave or all night outside, when they are used to sleep indoors.

Get a cat flap and lock it one way.
Mine is locked so they can get out but not back in. After finding a bat under my bed, that decision was final.
Mind you, mine have an outhouse with a bed and a shed with a bed....both with cat flaps that open each way.

You are a horrible pet owner to keep your cat shut outside when it’s crying to come in. I glad that the pet sitter did what was in the best interests of the animal in their care.

YABU to make the poor cat live outside in a heatwave. Next time pay for a live-in cat sitter or book them in to a cattery.

This.

Op you don't appear to treat your cat well. Please rethink.

The poor cat sitter was probably in a dilemma about what to do and made a decision based on what was in the best interests of the cat. If you want a cat to remain outside for a poo then get a catflap so it can come and go at will. Poo on the floor is absolutely nothing to get het up about. The welfare of an animal comes first.

My flabber is gasted that you call yourself a cat lover
Mine loves to come and go as he pleases but in this heatwave with thunder and lightening he has very much stayed cool as he could indoors on his cool mat
I think the sitter did the right thing

I disagree with how you treat this cat - therefor I wouldn’t have agreed to take on this job.

Yes strictly speaking she was wrong for not following your instructions. But, they seem cruel and neglectful.

But why have you started the thread then?

If you want to behave unreasonably ie making a cat that wants to be inside stay outside then don’t use a responsible cat sitter who will work in the best interest of the animal not the owner .

Los of people don't give their cat a choice. I was just saying that outside can be lovely and cool in the right place, and cats are great at finding the right place

Your poor cat.
Even when you're home it seems as if she's locked out until she's crying to be let in.
Presumably if she isn't back by her designated bedtime she's locked out overnight aswell.
Is it really that hard to install a catflap, or just leave a window open???

But they are outdoor cats so that is fine. Not the same situation.

I can see both sides of this .
I can understand your frustration at the cat sitter not following your instructions but also your cat sitter responding to how your cat behaved on the day.
But wouldn't a cat flap be the best option for an outdoor/indoor cat?

There is big difference between a cat who generally lives outside and has access to sheds/barns etc and regularly spends nights outside, and this situation which is a house cat who goes outside suddenly not being able to get back in.

I know it's been mentioned 10 times already and you are avoiding it but seriously, just get a cat flap. Why on earth wouldn't you?

Feral cats are different.

I think the point that is being missed is the cat didn’t want to go outside. It was crying to come back in. I’m sure some cats still would want to be outside all day in the heat and that’s ok but this cat didn’t. That’s probably why the cat sitter didn’t follow the instructions because it felt cruel at that point when it was hot and it was crying to come in.

Sorry, crap owner.
Dry food and water - dry food can be eaten immediately by another passing cat, or the bigger birds. Water knocked over.
Not allowed in, esp in hot weather is cruel.
If the cat(s) were injured, you're not there to help. Getting injured outside is far more likely.

Cat sitter is fine, you're the issue here.

MushMonster-cats are not stupid, in the heat they’ll seek shade and from being inside friends homes which were too hot especially new build, I’d rather be outdoors in the shade myself too.
Honestly from some responses I think cats have more sense than humans!

Ours Are outdoor cats and our cat sitter follows the rules, out during the night let back in for food and put them back out again.
We have a massive shaded area in the back garden for them and also a cat shelter box. Ours were feral when we rescued them and still hunt and live mostly outside. It’s very very rare that they’d ever stay in and I’m be fuming if they were left inside against my instructions.

Obviously completely BU not to have a cat flap.