What is your experience with cat sitting, and how long have you been doing it?

I have been a cat sitter for just over four years now. Before that, I worked at a veterinary clinic as a Kennel Technician, so I cared for all sorts of cats and dogs that boarded during their owner’s trips. I am comfortable giving medications and caring for senior cats. I know senior cats often have special diets and medications they must receive on time, or even experience decreased mobility and require accessibility aids such as steps so they can still reach their favorite napping spot or bird-watching perch. I have often been entrusted with caring for senior/disabled cats, and it's an honor I don't take lightly. Just as kittens have certain needs, so do seniors. It is my job to ensure the cats I watch experience the highest quality of care and companionship.

Can you tell us about your favorite cat sitting reservation?

I recently did some overnight pet sitting for a women who had two small dogs and a rather large cat. The moment I stepped in the house, the dogs ran for their favorite toys to bring to me, and Jasper, a big black cat, watched me from the archway. I sat down on a nearby couch to greet him but still give him space, and he immediately jumped into my lap. I wasn't expecting that! I sat there the for the next hour and a half, tossing balls for the dogs to fetch with one hand, and petting Jasper with the other. He was so big he covered my whole lap even curled up. I couldn't get up even if I wanted to! He purred and napped, and the dogs eventually curled up next to us on the couch as well. It was wonderful.

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

I have two cats, Ollie and Sweets. I adopted Ollie in May, after my senior kitty passed. He is very self-confident! He always wants to be right in the action and loves to be petted, but maybe not cuddled. Sweets is a little agent of chaos! I adopted him from a local rescue a couple years ago and he has brought such light to my life. He and Ollie are still figuring out their different play styles and boundaries, but it's been wonderful watching their friendship blossom. Both Ollie and Sweets are rescues, as all of my pets have been. I have loved watching Sweets come into his own. He was very skittish when I first got him, but he gains confidence from those around him and has become much much more self-assured.

What is your favorite cat toy?

Every cat has a different favorite toy, so I'm going to cheat and say my favorite toy is the one that makes the cat go wild with excitement! My young cat Sweets absolutely loves these little fruit-patterned mice - he's currently playing with the orange one. He goes nuts. And if I throw that mouse in a box - it's his Disneyland. He'll play for hours. Ollie loves to charge through his tunnel (bonus points if he tackles Sweets), but his favorite is a rainbow wand - he'll carry it around the house meowing for someone to play with him! My late cat, Finnigan, didn't care for toys, but wired earbuds and hoodie strings? He'd bat and bite at them until he wore himself out (or I wore my back out from bending over). He even pulled earbuds out of my ears just so he could play with them!

How do you handle cats that are particularly timid or anxious?

I always ask for as much information as possible on any cats I watch. I want to know their personality, their favorites treats and toys, and their favorite hideouts. I ask for this so I know how to make sure they are comfortable with me. I always sit down a few feet away, avert my gaze so I’m not making direct eye contact, and hold out my hand for them to sniff. If they are treat motivated, I will hold out some for them to form a positive association. If they are particularly timid, I’ll drop the treats a foot away from them, give them a few minutes, and then slowly stand and walk away to clean or feed. This way, they’ve met me but the attention isn’t all on them, so they can feel comfortable observing me knowing that I won’t pressure them into a relationship.