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

I’ve been cat sitting professionally for about a year through Pawsible, where I’ve received only positive reviews. Before that, I was often the go-to cat sitter for friends whenever they traveled, so caring for cats outside of my own home has been part of my life for much longer. I adjust my visits to each cat’s personality. With outgoing, energetic cats, I’m happy to play with them until they’re tired and ready for a nap! With more introverted cats, I don’t force interaction. Instead, I pay close attention to whether they’re eating normally, using the litter box, and behaving as expected. To me, a successful visit isn’t about getting every cat to play or cuddle with me—it’s about making sure each cat feels safe and is well cared for in the way that suits them best.

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

Yes! I have four cats, each with a completely different personality. Goofy, 6, is our queen. She loves people but isn’t nearly as enthusiastic about other cats. She definitely gets jealous, although she’s far too proud to admit it. Naruto, 4, loves her food and can be protective of it. She is terrified of dogs, but surprisingly fearless around people—even toddlers! Mint, 3, is my only boy and the biggest cat in the house, but somehow also the biggest scaredy-cat. He has been known to startle himself with a noise he made and then run for his life. Fortune, 3, is the opposite of Goofy: she loves other cats much more than people. Even when another cat gets annoyed with her, she still wants to cuddle. She also REALLY loves food. Living with four such different personalities has taught me that there’s no single “right” way to interact with a cat:)

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

With very timid cats, I understand that I may not see them at all during a visit—and that’s okay. I won’t pull a cat out of a hiding place or force an interaction just to prove that I saw them. If a cat is hiding somewhere I can’t safely locate them, I look for other signs of their well-being: whether their food has been eaten, how much water they’ve had, and whether the amount and appearance of urine and stool in the litter box seem normal. I’ll report these observations to their parent so they still know how their cat is doing. If a shy cat chooses to approach me, I let them set the pace. I’ll offer my hand for them to sniff and watch their facial expressions and body language before attempting gentle pets around the head. I avoid sensitive areas such as the belly, paws, tail, and rear unless