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Cat care: feeding, litter trays, play and a comfortable home

Plan your cat's daily care, from food and litter trays to play and quiet places, and help your cat sitter follow the routine.

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Good cat care gives your cat space to eat, play, scratch and rest in a way that suits them. Your home's layout and daily attention matter just as much as a full food bowl. Start with what your cat enjoys and keep the routine clear.

Choose complete cat food

Use complete food suited to your cat's life stage. Supplementary food or a treat does not necessarily contain everything a cat needs. Consider the feeding guide alongside your cat's condition and activity; discuss any uncertainty about quantities with your vet.

Place clean drinking water in suitable, quiet spots. Record the food and quantities you normally give so other carers follow the same arrangements. A large size or calm breed description does not automatically determine how much your cat should eat.

Make room for natural cat behaviour

A cat-friendly home offers more than one place to lie. Give your cat opportunities to retreat, look around from a safe height and scratch. Make sure they can get down easily from high places too.

Place food, water, litter trays and resting spots where your cat can reach them without constantly passing a busy doorway or another animal. In a multi-cat home, observe who eats, rests and uses the litter tray where. Sharing a home does not mean every cat wants to share everything.

Keep the litter tray and home comfortable

Clean the litter tray regularly and check that your cat can reach it easily. Stick to familiar places and supplies. Changes in toileting behaviour need attention; do not simply assume your cat is being difficult.

Consider everyday hazards at home too, such as unsafe windows, loose materials and places where your cat could become trapped. Make house rules about windows, doors and the cat flap clear to everyone providing care.

Play and attention at your cat's pace

Offer play sessions where your cat can watch, move and chase. Rotate suitable toys and put away anything that should only be used under supervision afterwards. Let your cat choose when to approach you or retreat.

An indoor cat needs stimulation too. Read the Petbnb tips for keeping an indoor cat active and happy alongside the daily routine. Adapt grooming to the coat and what your cat tolerates; ask for help if combing becomes difficult or knots develop.

Help your sitter get to know your cat

Explore the cat breeds and care guides for additional background on breed and coat. The general needs in this guide also apply to cats without a pedigree.

Care is still needed while you are away. The Petbnb guide to cat sitting at home helps you prepare. Discuss visit times, food, litter trays, play and updates; compare cat sitting by the agreed visits and tasks.

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