To think my cat sitter was in the wrong?

[Tabbyz]

I got back from holiday yesterday and I used a cat sitter for my 2 cats. The instructions were clear, one cat can come and go as she pleases and the other one can come in while cat sitter is there but must put her back out before leaving.

The first day they came, they did a visit in the morning and evening and in the evening report it said that there was a poo outside of the litter tray and they had cleaned it up. I messaged her to say that will be because you kept Olivia inside and if you keep her outside, she will toilet outside.

I got back yesterday to a poo in my living room and Olivia was inside!! I contacted her asking why my instructions were not adhered to and she said she didn’t think it was in Olivia’s best interest to be outside as she didn’t want to go and when she placed her outside she was crying to come back in. But it’s not up to her to make that decision. Those were my wishes and the cat would’ve been absolutely fine, it was only 4 days . What is the point in leaving them instructions? AIBU to leave a bad review and not use them again?

Team Cat Sitter, here. Your cat needs access to your home for comfort and to be out of the elements. My cats were flat out in the heat and came inside regualrly to lie on the cool tiles. Get a microchip catflap.

Cat 💩 isn't pleasant, but it's not a big deal.

There are so many ppl who don’t know anything about cats who have such strong, ill-informed opinions. So many people who these days cart cats off to rehoming centres to “check their chip” when the cat is simply out and about, meowing, etc. “They’re lost”. Urgh. Of course your cat would be fine outside if that’s where they usually live. They didn’t always have roofs over their heads. Think of cats in Greece! The cat would find shade, lick herself to stay cool. The cat sitter was wrong, and so many on this thread are too. I think your vote percentage is more reflective of the number of people who don’t have or understand cats. I know I’m (rightfully) going to get hatred for this but they’re probably the people who also use the phrase “fur babies”. Yanbu.

disclaimer: i am not clutching my pearls at the thought of a cat outside whatever the weather.

There is something wrong with you love. I spent days with fans, curtains closed, frozen bottles and putting water outside for cats belonging to dickheads. You can't stick a cat out for 4 days in that heat and send someone round to see if it is ok now and again.

I hope it goes and finds another home. Chirst I hope you haven't got kids.

yes because kids and cats are exactly the same.

Cats are fine outside.

Oh owner of 9 cats BTW. Before anyone starts.

Poor old Olivia, being forced to go outside.. I'd not force my cat to go out

You are right. Kids are way more work. And this idiot can't manage a cat.

With all due respect, none of you know my cat. She is 7 years old, we have been through many heatwaves over the past 7 years and she prefers to be outside. It just so happens that at the specific time when the cat sitter was there, she wanted to come in for a bit. However, she would have been much happier staying outside than being shut indoors. I know what she’s like, I know what she prefers. During heatwaves I will usually leave the back door open so they can come and go. My other cat Binky would prefer to be inside, but you can catch Olivia either taking shade somewhere such as a bush or grass, lay on our outdoor sofa (we leave the umbrella up for her so that the sofa is always in the shade), at the side of our building in the ginnel as there is a roof on it, or lay on our kitchen extension roof (flat roof) watching the world go by.

When I am working, she will cry to come in so I let her inside. Then 20 minutes later she will be crying to go back out again. Then she will stay out for hours. Come back at tea time, cry to go back outside and then not come home again until her time where I will then keep her in and go to bed. I understand she was crying to come in but she would not have wanted to STAY in. She doesn’t like pooing in her tray so she’ll hold it and then eventually just go on the floor or the bed or the couch. She prefers to do her business outside.

I think it’s very different having a cat outside most of the day when you’re home from work and can keep an eye. I’d not be comfortable locking any animal out of their home 22 hours a day with no one on hand to monitor them, so I wouldn’t have taken the job.

You need to get a cat flap. Then none of this would have happened.

Obviously completely BU not to have a cat flap.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Feral cats are different.

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?

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 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?

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

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???

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

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 .

But why have you started the thread then?