Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on HomeGuide.
How much do cat sitters charge per day?
Cat sitters charge$10 to $20 per day or $30 to $40 per night, depending on your location, the number of cats, length of each stay, and if your cat needs any special services, like administering medication. Holidays typically add $5 per visit.
Do you tip a cat sitter?
Yes, tipping a cat sitter 15% to 20% of the total bill is standard. Tip on the low end if the sitter did everything they agreed to do. Consider tipping more if they went above and beyond, stayed longer, or handled any unexpected issues or emergencies.
What does a cat sitter do?
A cat sitter cares for your cat or cats in your home while you are away. Cat sitting visits typically last 20 to 30 minutes and include feeding, refreshing water dishes, cleaning litter boxes, and play time if your cat wants it. Most cat sitters also offer longer visits if needed.
Do cats need sitters?
While cats are very independent, they still enjoy the presence of humans. If you are planning to be away for more than 24 hours, hiring a cat sitter will ensure your cats are safe and cared for and help ease their anxiety while you are gone.
Cats are territorial creatures, and most don't like to be moved, so cat sitting is ideal in most cases. Still, if you are uncomfortable having a pet sitter in your house while you are away, consider cat boarding services instead.
How do I choose the best cat sitters near me?
When searching for a cat sitter, remember to:
Choose a sitter who has a business license and insurance.
Ask if they are members of any professional organizations, such as the National association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), Professional United Pet Sitters (P.U.P.S.), or the Association of Pet Sitting Excellence (APSE).
Check their profile and reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask for and check their references.
Schedule a meet and greet beforehand to make sure he or she is a good fit for both you and your cat.
What questions should I ask when hiring a cat sitter?
Ask the following questions when researching cat sitters:
What experience do you have?
Do you belong to any professional organizations?
Are you trained in pet CPR?
Can we arrange a meet and greet beforehand?
What is included in your standard rate?
Is there an extra charge if I have more than one cat?
How and when do I pay for the service?
How long do you stay?
Can you give my cat medication?
Do you offer any house-sitting services in addition to cat-sitting?
What is your protocol if there is an emergency, and my cat needs immediate medical attention?
How do I communicate with you while I'm away?
Do you update me after each visit?
Reviews for Chicago cat sitters
Recent success stories from people in the Chicago area.
Dave J.
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Reliability, Responsiveness, Value
We found Susie through HomeGuide and are so happy that we did. She is absolutely amazing. We have a 5 year old rescue bulldog/beagle and we were having trouble with her pulling hard on the leash and being very reactive to movement be it a squirrel, rabbit, a leaf blowing, etc. both on her walks, in our yard, and in the house. She would go into a frenzy at times yelping very loud and sounding like she was hurt. Susie came over and within an hours time was able to get our dog to sit, go down, wait, leave it, to look at you, and to not pull on the leash. She spent over three hours here working with our dog, going over nutrition, and giving us the advice and the tools we need to continue working with our dog. Our dog is much improved and it is a work in progress, but if we spend the time training her and being consistent we know that everything Susie showed us will work. Susie also followed up within 48 hours and we know that we can always call her and have her come for another visit. We are very glad that we did this and would not hesitate for a moment to recommend her to anyone. - Dave and Teresa Jackson
Wind Dancer Referrals LLC
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