Quick Summary
Most sitter updates fail because they are vague (“She seemed fine”). You need signals, not opinions. Every visit must answer 3 questions: Did the cat eat? Did they use the litter box? Did they settle?
This guide provides a copy/paste template, a 1–3 behavior score system, and strict Vet-First emergency rules to ensure your cat is actually okay while you’re away.
When you’re away, you don’t need a story. You need repeatable, objective checkpoints.
A good update is not: “She seemed okay.”
A good update is: “Ate treats (yes), wet food (half), pee clumps (2), behavior (2/3), no vomiting.”
That’s the difference between guessing and knowing.
Before You Travel: Set Your Baseline
Your sitter can only tell you what they see. You need to know what “normal” looks like to compare it against.
✅ The Baseline Checklist (Do this the day before):
- What does your cat normally eat in 24 hours?
- How many pee clumps/poops are typical?
- Does your cat usually greet visitors or hide?
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Write one line for your sitter:
“Normal: eats most meals, 2–3 clumps/day, hides at first but comes out later.”
The Drop-In Visit Script (10–20 Mins)
Consistency matters more than “doing a lot.” Ask your sitter to follow this loop:
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1. Calm Entry: Quiet voice, no chasing.
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2. Health Scan: Look for panting, drooling, or limping.
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3. Food Check + Treat Test: Did they eat? Will they take a treat now?
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4. Water/Litter Check: Count clumps. Check levels.
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5. Settling Check: Are they relaxed or pacing/door-watching?
📋 Copy/Paste Sitter Notes Template
Send this to your sitter to paste into text/WhatsApp for every visit.
DROP-IN VISIT NOTES
Time arrived:
Cat seen? (Y/N) If not, last known hiding spot:
Approachability: Came out / Cautious / Stayed hidden / Friendly
FOOD (Treat Test): Took treats? (Y/N)
-- Wet food: Offered __ ; Eaten __
-- Dry food level: Normal / Low / Untouched
WATER: Normal / Low / Spilled / Untouched
LITTER:
-- Pee clumps: None / Low / Normal / High
-- Poop present? (Y/N) Diarrhea? (Y/N)
-- Any straining/crying? (Y/N)
BEHAVIOR STATE: Relaxed / Sleeping / Hiding / Pacing / Door-watching / Vocalizing
Behavior Score (1–3): 1 / 2 / 3
STRESS/HEALTH SIGNS: Vomiting / Diarrhea / Panting / Drooling / Trembling / Overgrooming / Accidents / Destruction
Notes vs baseline: Anything new/worse?
PHOTOS (Required): Litter box + Food/Water area
Required Evidence (No Guesswork)
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2 Photos Per Visit: Litter box (before scooping) + Food bowls.
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Optional Video (10s): Only if pacing, vocalizing, or repetitive behavior occurs.
The Behavior Score (1–3)
Use this to spot patterns across visits. Repeated "3s" mean the cat is not coping well.
🟢 1 = Relaxed/Normal
Resting, grooming, mild curiosity, normal appetite & litter output.
🟡 2 = Mildly Stressed
Hiding more than usual, cautious, eats less but still eats, mild pacing.
🔴 3 = Clearly Distressed
Refuses food/treats, sustained yowling, intense pacing, trembling, or litter issues.
🚨 Emergency IF/THEN Rules (Vet-First)
Give these rules to your sitter to prevent "wait and see" mistakes.
IF urinary signs (straining, tiny pees, crying):
THEN contact owner immediately + seek urgent vet guidance.
IF refusing food approaching ~24 hours:
THEN notify owner immediately (liver risk).
IF repeated vomiting or collapse:
THEN treat as urgent; contact owner and emergency clinic.
IF suspected foreign body (string/toy):
THEN contact owner immediately; do not wait.
Common Scenarios: What Notes Should Say
Scenario A (Hiding but OK): "Cat seen: No. Treat test: Left treat, later missing. Wet food: Half eaten. Litter: Normal. Behavior: 2."
Scenario B (Medical Concern): "Frequent litter trips, tiny clumps. Treats refused. Behavior: 3. (URGENT CONTACT)."
Your 5-Minute Setup Checklist
- Send your baseline ("Normal: ___").
- Send the template (Copy/Paste).
- Provide emergency contacts + Vet info.
- Set permission rules (spending cap for emergencies).
