How to Find a Cat Sitter You Can Trust

Cats are creatures of habit, which is exactly why a good cat sitter beats a cattery for many owners: your cat stays in its own home, on its own routine, with someone who comes to feed, play and check on it. The challenge is knowing how to find a cat sitter you can actually trust with your keys and your pet. This guide covers where to look, the checks that separate a professional from a well-meaning amateur, and the meet and greet that tells you everything.

Why a cat sitter is often the right choice

Most cats find a cattery stressful because it removes them from their territory. A sitter who visits once or twice a day keeps your cat in familiar surroundings, maintains feeding and litter routines, and spots any health problem early. For more independent cats, this is usually kinder than boarding. If you are weighing the options, our guide on pet sitting versus boarding lays out the trade-offs in full.

Where to find a cat sitter

You have a few good routes:

• Local professional sitters and pet-sitting businesses, who treat it as a job, carry insurance, and usually take references.
• Personal recommendations from neighbours, friends, or your vet, which come with built-in trust.
• Dedicated pet-sitting platforms and directories, where you can compare profiles, reviews and verification in one place.
• Membership bodies such as the National Association of Registered Petsitters and Dog Walkers (NarpsUK), whose members agree to standards and carry cover.

Wherever you find them, the vetting that follows matters far more than the source.

What to check before you book

A trustworthy cat sitter will be happy to evidence all of the following. Treat any reluctance as a warning sign.

Insurance

Make sure the sitter has pet-sitting insurance that includes public liability and covers your cat while in their care. This protects you if something is damaged or goes wrong. Note that it typically does not pay for veterinary treatment itself, so keep your own arrangements for that.

A DBS check

Because a cat sitter will hold a key to your home, ask to see a recent DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate. It is not legally required, but professional sitters often hold one, and it is an easy way to confirm there is no relevant criminal history. Owners can understand the different levels on GOV.UK.

References and reviews

Read reviews and ask for references from current clients, then actually contact one or two. A sitter with a real track record will have people happy to vouch for them.

Experience with your cat’s needs

If your cat needs medication, has a health condition, or is nervous, ask directly whether the sitter has done it before. Training in pet first aid is a strong sign of a serious professional.

The meet and greet is non-negotiable

A reputable sitter will always insist on meeting you and your cat at your home before the booking. Never skip this. It lets you:

• Watch how they interact with your cat, calm, patient and unhurried is what you want.
• Show them the routine: where the food, bowls, litter, cleaning kit and carrier live.
• Talk through feeding amounts, medication, house quirks, and what to do in an emergency.
• Gauge whether you feel genuinely comfortable handing over a key.

Trust your instinct here. If your cat hides and the sitter forces interaction, or if anything feels off, keep looking.

Get the practical details squared away

Before you travel, agree and write down:

• Feeding and litter routine, with exact amounts and times.
• Medication, if any, with clear instructions.
• Your vet’s details, and tell the vet you will be away and who is caring for your cat. Animal welfare charities such as the RSPCA and PDSA both recommend leaving full emergency arrangements.
• Emergency contacts, including yours and a local backup who can help if you cannot be reached.
• Visit frequency: most cats do well with at least one visit a day, more for kittens, seniors or cats on medication.
• Updates, such as a quick photo or message after each visit, which good sitters offer as standard.

A quick checklist

Use this when shortlisting a cat sitter:

1. Insured (public liability, covers your cat in their care).
2. DBS checked, or willing to be.
3. References you can contact, plus genuine reviews.
4. Experience with any special needs your cat has.
5. Insists on a home meet and greet.
6. Agrees a clear routine and emergency plan in writing.
7. Leaves you feeling confident, not uneasy.

Tick all seven and you have found someone you can leave your cat with and actually enjoy your trip. For more on vetting local pet professionals, see how to find a good vet in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a cat sitter is trustworthy? Check that they are insured, ask to see a DBS certificate, take up references, and insist on a home meet and greet. Watching how they interact with your cat and how openly they share this information tells you most of what you need to know.

Do cat sitters need insurance and a DBS check in the UK? Neither is legally required, but professional sitters usually carry pet-sitting insurance with public liability, and many hold a DBS check because they hold clients’ keys. Both are reasonable to ask for, and a reluctance to provide them is a red flag.

How often should a cat sitter visit? Most healthy adult cats do well with at least one visit a day for feeding, fresh water, litter and company. Kittens, elderly cats, or cats needing medication usually need two or more visits a day.

Is a cat sitter better than a cattery? For many cats, yes, because they stay in their own home and routine rather than being moved to unfamiliar surroundings, which most cats find stressful. Very sociable cats or those needing constant supervision may sometimes suit a cattery better.

What should I leave for my cat sitter? Written feeding and litter instructions, any medication with clear directions, your vet’s contact details, your contact numbers, a local emergency backup, and where to find food, the carrier and cleaning supplies. Tell your vet you will be away.

How much does a cat sitter cost in the UK? It varies by area, the number of daily visits, and any extra care needed. Get a clear quote per visit at the meet and greet, and confirm whether holidays or extra tasks change the price before you book.