So you’ve decided to become a catsitter? In this post, I’ve gathered all the housesitting checklists for questions to the pet parents and things to do before, during, and after the catsit. In this way, you’re making sure it will be a streamlined process from start to finish. These housesitting checklists are tickable and it will save your choices in the browser when you come back to this post. But first, let’s make sure you score that first catsit via Trusted Housesitters.

Questions to Ask on an Application Call

When you’ve scored your first video call for a potential housesitting gig, make sure to ask the right questions. This way they can see you’re the right candidate. There’s more information on the process from housesitting application to confirmed sit in the main article. Always re-read the entire profile before the video call. It’s important you can already use the cat’s name(s) with confidence as well as know their age and gender. Use the checklist below to ask more questions that haven’t been answered on their profile and customize these questions at will.

Keep in mind that the video call is two-sided: both parties need to know you’re a good fit for each other. If you encounter any red flags from a pet parent even though they want you to take care of their cat, you’re not obliged to say yes. Assuming that there are no red flags from their side, make sure to ask the following questions.

Finally, the usefulness of these questions will depend on a lot of context such as how long the catsit is. Select whichever are useful to your situation (I believe in you!) and save the ones you didn’t ask yet for the house tour. Focus your questions on vital information about the cat and fun questions that show your interest in their beloved cat. Now let’s finally get to the first housesitting checklist:

Can I see [cat's name]?

Is [cat] food motivated? What's their favorite snack to become instant friends?

Does [cat] like to play? What's their favorite toy?

How often and for how long do you play with [cat]?

Is [cat] a lap cat?

Is [cat] used to sleeping in the bed with you?

Can [cat] go outside? If yes, independently or supervised? On a leash? Does [cat] need a sweater?

Does [cat] ever wander off and not come home? At what point do I need to worry?

Has [cat] ever brought any 'gifts' (dead birds, mice, a snake) from the outside?

Does [cat] have any health problems? Is [cat] on any medication? Is [cat] on a special diet?

Does [cat] vomit often or throw up hairballs? Do you use any anti-hairball treatment?

If you wish to share, where will you be traveling to? Is that in the same time zone?

At what time will you leave the house and at what time will you be back?

Do you need us to arrive one day in advance to meet [cat] and learn about the house?

How does [cat] react to meeting new people? Does [cat] have separation anxiety?

What's your preferred messaging platform and how often do you want to receive [cat] updates?

In your neighborhood, how do you get around? Will I get access to a bicycle/car? Is there a bus/taxi service/Uber?

After the call, make sure to send them the cat petting preference chart with the cat’s name already filled in. It’s a great way to stand out from the other catsitters and you’ll get more info about the cat’s no-no zones for pets so you won’t get scratched.

Start a Group Chat

If they choose you to be their sitter, immediately initiate a group chat on WhatsApp/Signal/WeChat/Telegram. TrustedHousesitters messaging is a bit clunky as a platform to use for photo updates and quick questions. Use this platform to stay in touch before the housesit starts. Communicate any big decisions (e.g. booking a train/plane ticket) beforehand to make sure the housesit is still on. This way, the host will also see that you’re taking the housesit seriously and they can trust that you’ll be there on time.

Your Host’s Welcome Guide

One of the best ways to prepare for your upcoming housesit is by reading your host’s welcome guide. The welcome guide is a document that outlines the cat’s routines and things about the house. Most pet parents provide one either via the function on Trusted Housesitters or they have their own document they can send over. Via THS, the document should become available immediately upon housesit confirmation. If a pet parent doesn’t have one, you can request one via the platform or in a private message.

This is also where you can find information about the cat’s veterinary contact details. Sometimes, the pet parents also provide a local emergency contact who has a backup key and can help with major problems. Depending on the pet parents, this document can be very detailed or very short.

Generally, the welcome guide is a very useful tool; it can be a lot of information to process all at once during the house tour. During one of our sits, we had a welcome guide lying around on the table that we reviewed again when we weren’t sure of something. If you don’t receive a welcome guide, make sure to take notes during the house tour so you can review them again later in peace.

Getting to Your Housesit Checklist

Now that you have your housesit agreed upon, it’s time to plan your travels! It’s important to communicate with the hosts once you have gained more clarity on how you’ll arrive at their place.

• Check entry requirements for the country (Google ‘visa policy of X wiki’)
• Compare ways to travel to the country by boat/rail/road/plane
• Book tickets to get into the country
• Check the validity of your health insurance
• If necessary, book accommodation in the country before the housesit begins
• Pack all the stuff you’ll need (your passport)
• Execute the plan

Questions During the House Tour

Yay, you’re traveling to your catsit! A few hours before your arrival, you’ve reread the host’s welcome guide again. Now you have to mentally prepare to absorb a whole lot of information at once. After you’ve exchanged pleasantries upon meeting the pet parent and their pets and have taken off your shoes, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty details of your housesit. As always, use your wisdom to see which of these questions apply:

Cat-related questions checklist:

Which cat is which? How do you tell them apart? Do they sound different?

What kind of food does [cat] eat? How often does [cat] eat and at what times? Are there special supplements?

How much is a good portion? Does [cat] have dry food they always have access to?

Is the feeding system special in any way? (Like an auto-feeder)

What about extra snackies during the daytime? How many are they allowed?

Does [cat] have any (food) allergies?

What kind of water bowl/system does [cat] drink from?

How often do you top up/refresh the water for [cat]?

Is there a special sponge to wash out the cat food bowls?

Where does [cat] shit? How often do you clean the litter box(es)? What kind of litter do you use?

Are there ever any poopy/pissy/vomitty/hairbally accidents? What do you use to clean it?

What's [cat]'s favorite sleeping spot? Where do they go to hide?

Does [cat] enjoy and sit still for brushies? How often? What kind of hair brush do you have for [cat]?

Do you cut [cat]'s nails? How often? Does [cat] protest it?

What does [cat] do to entertain themselves during the daytime? Is there cat TV (birds)?

Is [cat] vocal?

Are there any places in the house where [cat] is not allowed to be? Any high surfaces they jump on but shouldn't?

Are ticks a problem in your area and has [cat] ever caught ticks? Do you have a tick removal tool?

Does [cat] steal food from their humans or drink from your water glass/cups?

Does [cat] scratch furniture, raid the garbage bin, chew on cables, sit on laptops, or push stuff off countertops?

Are there any other (NAUGHTY) cat habits I need to be aware of? Do you counter them with child locks?

If the pet parent works from home: does [cat] sit on laptops? Does [cat] beg for attention or chill near you?

Whenever you leave for holidays, does [cat] ever protest, such as pee in your shoes/poop in your suitcase?

In case of an emergency: what's the vet's phone number, address, and what else do I need to bring?

When is the last time [cat] has visited the vet? Any new insights?

What kind of behavior does [cat] show when they're feeling ill? What kind of health issues were there in the past?

In case of an emergency, do you have a pet carrier and does [cat] get inside voluntarily?

Does [cat] have a pet passport?

Will you leave behind enough cat food/litter for the entire duration? If not, where do you buy it?

When you leave the house, does [cat] try to escape? How long can they be left unsupervised?

Does [cat] go outside? Is there a leash they should wear when going outside?

How does [cat] react to being picked up?

Is there catnip or cat grass and should I limit their access to it?

Does [cat] purr?

Does [cat] follow you into the bathroom?

House-related questions checklist:

Where is the closest supermarket and how big is it?

What are the opening times, are supermarkets open on Sundays/public holidays?

Are there any bus/train/tram stops nearby? Do you have a local public transport card I can use?

Are there any local apps I should download to make my life easier?

Do the neighbors know that there's a catsitter so they don't call the cops on me?

How safe is the neighborhood and have there been any (recent) break-ins?

Does your home have a security system I will need to learn how to operate when I go out?

Are there security cameras inside the house that I'll need to turn off for my privacy? (Spy cams are against THS rules)

Do you have plants that need watering or special care? How many indoor/outdoor plants and what kind?

Is there a gardener/cleaner/family/friend that drops by and how will I recognize them? Will they be made aware of me?

Who is the trusted local contact person I need to contact for an emergency and who has a spare key? How far away do they live?

Do you receive a lot of mail and do you have a spot I put it for you to find after your trip? Any expected package deliveries?

Is there a recycling system I'll need to participate in to not get fined? What categories of garbage are there?

Do you have all the necessary cleaning products in the house? Are there any cleaning products you (don't) use on the cat bowls?

Are there any cultural/natural spots I need to visit during my stay? What's your best-kept local secret?

What is the WiFi password? Is it limited or can I stream away?

The Checkout Checklist

You’re approaching the end of your housesit. The cat is happy and well-fed and you’ve kept the house reasonably clean. Now it’s time to prepare the house for the return of the pet parents. During the sit write down things you don’t want to forget when leaving and add them to your checkout checklist. Also, if you’ve broken anything, mention it immediately in your group chat so it doesn’t become part of your checkout checklist.

It’s usually expected that you return the house as clean as it was when you arrived. If you keep areas very clean, you can start this process a few days in advance to spread the work.

Communicate with the host at what time they return and at what time you will leave (it's nicest to do the pet handover in person, but if the cat is alone for a few hours it's usually fine)

Draft a review for THS—you might forget things quickly after you've completed the sit

Pack up your own stuff. Make sure to check drawers and funny places to make sure you're not forgetting anything (including the fridge). Most common forgotten items: phone chargers and Chromecast

Strip the beds, and if there's enough time, wash them and hang them to dry/put them in the dryer

Make the beds again for the pet parents

Let in some fresh air (as long as the cat can't escape)

Tidy up the plants

Give the bathroom, toilet, and kitchen a good clean

Vacuum the floors and mop them

If you moved any furniture, move it back to how it was before you arrived

Put utensils back where they came from to the best of your abilities (different people have different organizational logic, so you can't get this 100% perfect)

Take out the trash, pick up the mail, and leave their public transit card/trash access fob in a visible place

Make sure to not screw over the pet parents by finishing all their toilet paper/cabinet items/food staples

If you've received a meal upon arrival, perhaps leave a cooked meal for their return. If you're not comfortable with that, at least leave something behind for them to cook a basic meal

Make sure their home security system is turned back on

Clean the litter box one last time, top up water and food, and play with the cats

Say goodbye to the sweet furbabies you've cared for

Lock the door and drop off the key in the prior-discussed place

Now that you’ve completed your housesit, cherish the memories you’ve made and wait for that review to come in! Also don’t forget to review your host, since your review will help future housesitters a lot.

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