Cat sitting for a friend present etiquette

[boxtop]

I'm cat sitting for a friend, no real hardship as it involves staying in her lovely house for two weeks, watering her excellent collection of houseplants and looking after her 2 lovely cats. No money is changing hands, and obviously I've got a free holiday out of it and it feels like a pretty soft gig for me, assuming the cat remains well. But how big a present should I get her? Is this a "welcome home, bottle of Chablis is in the fridge for you situation" or would you expect more? I don't want to be tight but I also don't want to be OTT. Obviously the cats are easier to buy for.

You are doing her a favour, why would you get her a present?

When I've had friends feed my cat while I've been away, I've got them presents!

They should be buying you a present.

Hahaha I think I am just dazzled by how nice her house is, and in a popular holiday destination...

Honestly, you are the one who is doing a favor. I would be thinking wine and a gift for you.

If you do want to do something, maybe a meal cooked in the fridge so she does not have to cook her first day back,

Your doing ger a favour?
Just a tidy house!
Wine in fridge, nice touch !

You’re doing them a favour so I wouldn’t be buying them anything. If anything it should be them giving you something as a thank you.

OK sounds like a bottle of wine in the fridge and a welcome home note on the kitchen table is absolutely fine. I also like the idea of cooking something and leaving it in the fridge.

Why do you need to get her a present? You are looking after her cat, by right she should get you a present as a thankyou. We always get something or give cash to the girl next door cos she looks after our cat when we are away. We wouldn't expect her to get us anything.

no dont you dare get her a gift for letting you house sit and look after her cat love 🤣 she should be getting you a gift.

when my friend stays at mine to take care of my cat I always get her a gift like a nice candle and I'll get some chocolate in and also pop some money in her account for a takeaway.

you are doing her a favour! 🩷

Why would you get them a present ? The arrangement has suited all of you, so win win.
The cats don't need a present either !

Wow! You know you are doing your friend a massive favour, not the other way round….? We recently had friends pet sit for us in our house and we paid them £50 a night plus told them to help themselves to anything in fridge/ freezer/ cupboard etc. It’s not just the cost and hassle of taking pet to kennels/ cattery, there’s also knowing the animal is happier & settled being at home PLUS you’re keeping an eye on their house. I hope she is buying you an amazing present!!

Tidy house and a bottle of Chablis in the fridge would be the perfect gift. You’ve just saved her a few hundred pounds by looking after her cat.

You definitely don't need to get her a gift but if you genuinely enjoyed it and want to get her something to say than you to welcome her home then they would be a lovely thing to do and more likely she'll ask you again!

She left me a really nice cake and said help yourself to anything! I think it suits us both.

If you want to get your friend a present, do it!

Boarding an animal is expensive. Sounds as if you're both getting something out of this, so no present needed. Just enjoy your break.

Obviously, you're doing her a favour but perhaps stick a pint of milk, a nice Pizza and some juice in the fridge?

Why? You're doing them a huge favour. They should be paying you or buying you something. What you're suggesting is overkill, IMO.

Just to save her nipping out to shops immediately on her return!

I would maybe get a bottle of wine, along with fresh milk, bread, eggs, whatever so she doesn’t need to run out to the shop as soon as she gets home

Tidy house.
Loaf of bread.
Milk and wine in the fridge.

Though the wine is a nice "extra". It's really you doing the favour even though you've enjoyed the venue too.

Thinking back ... one of our neighbours looked after our flat (no cats but some plants that needed watering) when we were on honeymoon. When we came back they had left us with a vase of fresh flowers and a set of the photos they'd taken at the wedding and I was delighted as we didn't get to see our official photos for weeks. We definitely got them a thank you present from our travels though.

Sorry, rambling, but some Tesco roses in a vase would be lovely if you want to go even further but I don't think it's necessary. What she will care most about is happy cats!

What a strange idea! You're saving her a fortune. You don't get her a gift. I'd be really embarrassed if you gave me a gift after you looked after my cat in my home for me!

Usually they buy you something, but I understand what you mean. As long as the cats/plants are okay, maybe just a bottle of wine in the fridge. If she has had a long way to come home, she may need a glass!

I’d buy her another cat. Leave it in the fridge with the wine.

Then a bottle of wine or a cake in return is sufficient.