How Often Should a Cat Sitter Visit?

TL;DR: A cat sitter should visit at least once a day, ideally twice, to check on your feline boss—think feeding, litter box duty, and some playtime. For kittens, seniors, or cats with medical needs, twice daily (every 12 hours) is a must. If you’re on vacation, daily visits ensure your cat isn’t lonely or stressed, but overnight stays ($60-$100) might be better for anxious kitties. Your cat’s personality and routine will guide how often they need check-ins—here’s how to decide.

Why cat sitter visits matter for your feline

Your cat might act like they rule the world (because, let’s be honest, they do), but they still need someone to keep their kingdom in order while you’re away. Whether you’re jetting off for a weekend or stuck at the office all day, a cat sitter ensures your feline overlord gets fed, their litter box stays pristine, and they don’t plot a coup out of boredom. But how often should a cat sitter visit to keep your kitty happy and stress-free? It depends on your cat’s needs, age, and personality. Let’s break it down so you can plan like the devoted cat parent you are.

How often should a cat sitter come over?

The golden rule for most cats is at least one visit per day—think a 30- to 60-minute check-in to handle the essentials: food, water, litter box scooping, and a bit of play or cuddles. Cats are independent, but they’re not that independent. A single daily visit works for healthy, adult cats who are chill about being alone. However, twice daily visits—once every 12 hours—are ideal for most cats to keep them from getting lonely or anxious. This means a morning visit around 8 a.m. and an evening one around 8 p.m., ensuring they’re fed on schedule and get some human interaction to keep their spirits up.

How often should you check on a cat when cat sitting?

When you’re away and a cat sitter is taking over, the frequency of visits depends on your cat’s specific needs. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide how often you need those check-ins:

• Healthy adult cats (1-8 years): One visit per day (30-60 minutes) is usually enough for a self-sufficient kitty. They’ll get their food, fresh water, a clean litter box, and some playtime to keep them entertained. Twice daily is better if your cat craves more attention or has a strict feeding schedule.
• Kittens (under 1 year): Kittens are chaos agents—they need more food, more play, and more supervision. Aim for at least two visits per day, every 12 hours, to ensure they’re eating enough (they need 3-4 small meals) and not getting into trouble.
• Senior cats (8+ years): Older cats might have health issues like arthritis or diabetes, so they need closer monitoring. Two visits per day are best to check on their wellbeing, give meds if needed, and make sure they’re eating and drinking.
• Cats with medical needs: If your cat needs daily meds—like insulin shots for diabetes—or has a condition like kidney disease, twice daily visits are non-negotiable. Your sitter can ensure meds are given on time and watch for any changes in behavior.

Petme’s guide on what a cat sitter does can give you a deeper look into how sitters handle these tasks, so you know what to expect.

How often do cats need to be checked on when on vacation?

Going on vacation can throw your cat’s routine out of whack, and they might get stressed without their human around. Daily visits are a must—leaving a cat alone for more than 24 hours is a recipe for a grumpy kitty (and a messy litter box). Here’s how to plan:

• Short trips (1-2 days): One visit per day might be fine for a low-maintenance cat, but twice daily is safer to keep their routine consistent and catch any issues early.
• Longer vacations (3+ days): Two visits per day, every 12 hours, are ideal for most cats. This ensures they’re fed on time, their litter box doesn’t turn into a biohazard, and they get enough attention to avoid loneliness.
• Anxious or social cats: If your cat is a clingy type—like they follow you around the house meowing for attention—consider overnight stays. For $60-$100 per night, a sitter can stay at your place, giving your cat constant company and reducing their stress.

For more on how long you can safely leave your cat with a sitter, Petme’s guide on leaving pets with sitters has some great tips to help you plan.

Factors that affect how often a cat sitter should visit

Not all cats are the same, and their needs will dictate how often you need a sitter to drop by. Here are the key factors to consider:

• Personality: Some cats are loners who barely notice you’re gone—once a day might be enough. Others are social butterflies who’ll sulk without attention—twice daily or overnight stays are better.
• Routine: If your cat is used to eating at specific times (like 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.), two visits per day keep their schedule on track. Messing with their routine can stress them out.
• Health and age: Kittens, seniors, or cats with medical needs require more frequent visits (twice daily) to monitor their health and ensure they’re eating and drinking.
• Environment: If you’ve got multiple cats, they might keep each other company, but you’ll still need daily visits to manage litter boxes and food. A single cat might need more attention to avoid loneliness.
• Your absence: The longer you’re away, the more frequent visits should be. A weekend trip might mean one visit per day, but a week-long vacation calls for twice daily check-ins.

Why more frequent visits can prevent cat chaos

Cats might seem low-maintenance, but leaving them alone for too long can lead to trouble. A single daily visit might not cut it if your cat decides to knock over their water bowl, miss a meal, or get sick. More frequent visits—twice daily—let your sitter catch issues early, like a cat who’s not eating or a litter box that’s overdue for a scoop. Plus, cats can get bored or stressed without enough interaction, which might lead to them shredding your curtains or leaving you a “present” on the rug. Regular visits keep your cat happy and your home intact—because nobody wants to come back to a feline crime scene.

Should a cat sitter stay overnight?

Overnight stays aren’t always necessary, but they can be a game-changer for some cats. If your kitty gets anxious when you’re away—like they’re starring in their own cat version of Home Alone—an overnight stay might be worth the $60-$100 per night. It means your cat gets constant company, and the sitter can handle any late-night emergencies (like a sudden hairball situation). Overnight stays are also great for cats who need meds at odd hours or just crave extra attention. If your cat’s more independent, drop-in visits at $20-$40 each might be enough. On Petme’s pet sitting platform, you can find sitters who offer both options, so you can pick what works best for your feline boss.

How to ensure your cat sitter visits enough

You’ve figured out how often your cat needs a sitter—now how do you make sure they’re actually showing up? First, hire a pro you can trust. Petme’s guide on choosing a trustworthy cat sitter has tips on finding someone reliable who won’t flake. Be clear about your expectations—tell them exactly how many visits per day you want and what tasks to handle each time (like feeding, play, and litter box duty). Ask for updates after each visit—many sitters on Petme will send you pics of your cat looking smug and well-fed, so you know they’re on the job.

Conclusion: Plan visits that keep your cat happy

A cat sitter should visit at least once a day, but twice daily—every 12 hours—is ideal for most cats to keep them fed, happy, and stress-free. Kittens, seniors, or cats with medical needs need those two visits, while healthy adults might be fine with one. On vacation? Daily visits are a must, and overnight stays ($60-$100) are great for anxious kitties. Tailor the frequency to your cat’s personality and needs, and you’ll come home to a purring pal, not a grumpy one. Check out Petme’s pet sitting platform to find a sitter who’ll keep your cat’s routine on point. You’ve got this—your feline overlord will thank you.

FAQs: Your cat sitter visit questions, answered

How often should a cat sitter come over?

At least once a day, but twice daily (every 12 hours) is best for most cats to cover food, litter, and playtime.

How often should you check on a cat when a cat is sitting?

Healthy adult cats need one visit per day, but kittens, seniors, or cats with medical needs require two visits, every 12 hours.

How often do cats need to be checked on when on vacation?

Daily visits are a must—twice daily is better for longer trips, or consider overnight stays for anxious cats.

Should a cat sitter stay overnight?

If your cat is anxious or needs extra care, yes—overnight stays ($60-$100) offer more attention than drop-ins ($20-$40).

How do I find a reliable cat sitter?

Look for pros with great reviews on Petme, and be clear about how often you want them to visit 🐾.