Getting a shy or nervous cat through your trip

If your cat vanishes under the bed whenever the doorbell rings, the idea of a stranger coming into your home while you're away can feel like a lot. We hear this often. Cate has spent years volunteering with cat rescues and fostering cats, and she knows nervous cats well. Here's what we've learned about getting a shy cat through a trip.

Cats are usually better off at home

Cats are creatures of habit. Their territory is their comfort. In our experience, a shy cat who stays in her own home, with her own bed, her own hiding spots and her own smells, copes far better than one who's taken somewhere new. That's why in-home visits are such a good fit for cats. We come to them.

Cate is our resident cat expert. Rick handles the dogs, and Cate brings a quiet, patient manner that cats often respond to. One client told us, "Cate is the cat whisperer." We'll take the compliment. Mostly it comes down to slowing down.

Slow is the whole method

The mistake people make with a nervous cat is trying to win her over quickly. Reaching toward her, picking her up, or crouching right in front of her can feel like a threat. We do the opposite.

• Come in quietly and keep our voices low and calm.
• Sit on the floor at a distance and let the cat decide when to approach.
• Avoid staring. A relaxed, sideways glance and a slow blink is friendlier to a cat than eye contact.
• Never drag a hiding cat out. If she's under the bed, we stay nearby and let her come.
• Keep the routine exactly as you've set it, so the day still feels familiar.

Some cats come out in the first visit. Some take a few. Either is fine. A cat who eats her food, uses her litter box and watches us from a safe spot is doing well, even if she won't let us pet her.

Meet us before you go

We like to come by before your trip so your cat sees us while you're still home. We learn the layout, we hear about your cat's habits, and your cat gets a chance to sniff us out while you're in the room. Cats take cues from their people. If you're relaxed and friendly with us, she'll notice.

This is also when you can tell us where she likes to hide, which treats she trusts and whether there's any room she shouldn't get into. A shy cat's favorite hiding spots are useful information. We want to know them so we can check on her without disturbing her.

What helps a nervous cat while you're gone

• Leave her food, her bowls and her litter box exactly where they are.
• Keep her favorite hiding spots accessible and don't rearrange furniture before you go.
• Tell us about any signs of stress she shows, like hiding for hours or skipping meals, so we know what's normal for her.
• Leave something that smells like you, such as a worn shirt in her usual spot.
• Tell us when you'll be home so we can plan the last visit.

Photos and texts at every visit

When you're away and your cat is nervous, you want to know she's okay. So we send photos and updates during our visits. If she came out and ate, you'll see it. If she stayed hidden but her bowl was empty and the litter box was used, we'll tell you that too. One client who was nervous about leaving two cats told us we sent pictures and texts daily, and that eased the worry. That's what we aim for every time.

If something doesn't look right, like a cat who hasn't eaten, we'll let you know right away, and we'll follow whatever your vet has told you to do. We don't guess about health, and we won't make medical decisions for your pet.

Choosing visit length and frequency

For a cat, short visits are often enough. A 15-minute drop-in is $20 and a 30-minute visit is $30. If your cat is very shy, a slightly longer visit gives us time to sit quietly and let her come out at her own pace. If you've got more than one cat, each additional pet is an extra $5. We can also keep the litter box clean, which is a big part of a cat's comfort.

Most cats do well with one or two visits a day. If your cat is elderly, on medication or very anxious, we may suggest a bit more. We'll talk it through before you book.

A calm start

If you have a shy cat and a trip coming up, give us a call at (401) 527-0035 and ask for Cate. We'll set up a time to meet your cat, look at your routine, and plan in-home pet sitting that keeps her comfortable while you're away.