Many cats are shy, especially around new people. Not all cats want to be found and this can make our job as pet sitters tough, but we do our best to ensure that all pets in our care are healthy and happy. If your cat(s) hide when company comes over and you are afraid your pet sitter will not see your cat. Here are some simple steps that you and your sitter can do to ensure that your cat is well taken care of.

• Do not block off your cats favorite hiding places and make sure that your sitter knows where those places are.
• If you have one cat, your pet sitter can easily tell whether your cat is doing Ok by seeing that food has been eaten and by their use of the litter box.
• Does your cat have a favorite treat? Actual cat treats or special food, maybe a spoon of tuna or pieces of chicken. This may entice the cat to come out of hiding.
• Shut doors to extra rooms that the cat(s) doesn’t go in or need to go in while you are away. Let your sitter know which doors stay shut helps also, cats can easily get behind doors and shut them.
• Your sitter should stay at the house for a period of time, even if the cat is hiding, as shy cats sometimes come out after the first visit.
• Have your sitter come in through a door or garage that you yourself use. I have had many shy cats come out to see me thinking it was the pet parent coming home.
• Are you cats hard of hearing? Will they hear your sitter come in? Letting your cat sitter know your cats favorite lounging spots may help in this situation.

Our main goal as pet sitter of a shy cat is to lays eyes on the cat, even better if we see them walking or running away as it’s easy for a cat to become stuck or trapped somewhere.Do you have other suggestions to help a pet sitter find a shy cat?