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Cat sitter expectations?

2 replies

FrenchFancie · 21/08/2023 05:27

ive never used a cat sitter before so don’t know what is normal, but I’m not sure if I’m being unreasonable with this (we’re currently away on holiday).
a) the cats have a set amount of biscuits each day - this is because they are both on weight control diets due to being, erm, generously sized! The cat sitter knows this but keeps giving them extra as ‘they finish all that they have so they can graze’
b)apparently they are refusing their wet food. This is also in calorie controlled pouches from the vet that cost a load of money. I’m not surprised they are refusing the food as frankly they have been eating too many biscuits! Cat sitter has had a rummage and found some old felix we keep in in case of emergency, or having to give drugs, and has been feeding this on and off instead.
c) we asked for the cats to be kept in as much as possible, but she has left them out every day and one hasn’t come home for over 24 hours now. I hope it comes home this morning, but they are not usually outside of the home that much.

i would have thought the cat sitter would have followed our instructions more closely? Or do they use their initiative like this? We’ve only ever used a cattery before which didn’t give any daily feedback on the cats habits - we thought a cat sitter would be better for them but now I’m not so sure!

OP posts:
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 21/08/2023 06:12

In terms of the food - your cat sitter sounds awful, to be honest. I always feed precisely to the owners instructions and only ever give extra (or treats) if I'm told that's allowed.

In terms of going out - I do think you needed to be a bit clearer. It's not her fault the cat hasn't come back; that's a risk you take every time you choose to let your cats out, and you did only tell her to keep them in "as much as possible" which doesn't really mean much.

I would have said to her that the cats either need to stay in for the whole time or that they can come/go as they please. I also have it in my T&C's that I can't be held responsible for any injuries or disappearances if the owners choose to allow their cats out to roam.

WandaWonder · 21/08/2023 06:31

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 21/08/2023 06:12

In terms of the food - your cat sitter sounds awful, to be honest. I always feed precisely to the owners instructions and only ever give extra (or treats) if I'm told that's allowed.

In terms of going out - I do think you needed to be a bit clearer. It's not her fault the cat hasn't come back; that's a risk you take every time you choose to let your cats out, and you did only tell her to keep them in "as much as possible" which doesn't really mean much.

I would have said to her that the cats either need to stay in for the whole time or that they can come/go as they please. I also have it in my T&C's that I can't be held responsible for any injuries or disappearances if the owners choose to allow their cats out to roam.

Yes all of this , diet needs to be stuck to, but I cat is either allowed out or not I don't see that can be another way unless the sitter follows the cat around

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