Ailurophile MEWS SUMMER 2023!
July 2023
Advantages of In-Home Cat Care
We’ve all heard friends, family or colleagues tell us “I just leave my cat alone for long periods of time with a big bowl of dry food!” Or in our increasingly modernized, automated lifestyles you may hear “oh we just purchased an automatic feeder so the cat is fine for a few days!” While kitty may indeed be okay and nothing disastrous happens, there are some noteworthy reasons why next time you’re traveling away from home for pleasure or business you may want to hire a cat sitter to come into your home and provide excellent care!
CATS NEEDS VS. DOGS NEEDS
To begin, as a cat sitter who has been working in this business for over a decade and loving and caring for cats most of my 42 years of life, I find there is a very common stereotype / misconception in our society that cats function as solitary, independent creatures who don’t need care or are self-sufficient. I run into this frequently with my cat sitting business when I explain what I do. A response I hear all too often is “oh do cats really need care, don’t they just take care of themselves for the most part?” First off, any living creature needs care and attention - some requiring more than others obviously. I think the reason this misconception continues to pulse through the veins of our society in part is due to the fact that domesticated cats, felis catus carry many of the same traits and behaviors as their larger, more fierce ancestors the big cats. We conceptualize the big cats - tigers, cheetahs, snow leopards - as elusive, hunting and taking down their large prey. While they do carry many of the predatory and instinctual drives, as well as a 95 percent genetic DNA match, domesticated cats rely on us and have evolved into much different animals than their wild African counterparts.
Another highly likely reason for this misconception lies in our tendency as humans to compare. Cats and dogs get lumped into this general category of comparison that truly is silly because they are totally different species needing much different things. Dogs do require a different set of demands but this does not negate what cats require and desire. I specialize in cat care because I am more attuned to cats needs, behaviors, ailments, quirks and know that they are the animals I truly understand better. In my experience working with cats, their level of attention seeking and wanting love is not less than a dog’s, but expressed in a more subtle way that isn’t the boisterous, obvious outward signs a canine will display. I have seen lonely cats, and especially the ones who are left alone at home with no other kitty companions, definitely perk up when the cat sitter walks in the door. Of course there are the cats that do not want your attention right away and show more timidity and caution when a stranger comes through the door to their home! It takes more time and patience to build a relationship with them but it’s totally possible with treats, toys and a gentle voice.
A couple more reasons to mention that hopefully cat owners reading this will take note of is cats do get sick and it can happen to even a younger, seemingly healthy cat. One of the more common emergencies that I’ve seen is when a urinary blockage occurs in a male cat. These kitties can develop this issue very suddenly and when you leave for a few days you think oh kitty seems good, no problems and then in a matter of days the cat is facing a life or death situation. It’s a very scary thing and if caught in time is completely treatable, but left unattended for a couple days to a few days could be life threatening. The cat sitter will notice the cat’s behavior off and possibly hiding, as well as definite signs of not using the litter box normally peeing tiny amounts and not eating. Catching these illnesses can save your cat's life!
It’s just not a good idea!! As a cat caretaker I want to educate people properly on taking care of their beloved feline friends. I want to share my knowledge with you as ailurophiles and hopefully give your kitties a long and fun life! Leaving cats for extended periods of time or even more than a day can also be problematic due to dangers around the home. Cats who are lonesome get into more mischief and can eat poisonous plants or parts of toys such as strings, etc. I’ve had a client tell me in the past that their cat can turn the water faucet on! Oops! Or the client who’s kitty caught closed in a room by accident not having access to any food, water or litter box.
STRESS can lead to health problems and behavioral issues. Cats, like humans, develop a number of maladies from their stress levels. Cats love a consistent routine and their own territory - their home! That’s the beauty of a cat sitting business that can come to YOU and your CAT and provide the convenience of just having it all right there and the cat goes about their business - stress free. Whether you’re in Boulder or Longmont, Colorado or further north towards Berthoud or Loveland a cat sitter makes it easy to leave your cats at home knowing a trusted, experienced cat lover is coming daily to refresh foods and water, check your automatic feeders and litter boxes in case of technical issues, bring in packages and mail, general security checks of the home, and give any needed medications or supplements to your cat or cats!
DIET is a whole blog post unto itself, but briefly I will mention that leaving a big bowl of dry food is a huge no no for a cat. So many reasons go into this as a thing you don’t want to do. Some cats gorge themselves meaning they eat and eat and eat. They have an endless dry food kibble buffet and they go to town just gaining weight. Too much weight leads to an obese cat and obesity can cause diabetes. Some kitties, I will say, know how to self regulate and only eat some at a time. Dry food is not ideal! If you want a good diet for your cat, feed them as much canned, wet food as you can afford. Cat food prices have soared since the pandemic and I, as an owner of five cats, completely understands this, but feeding wet food to your kitty as much as your budget will allow is optimal. It will save you money down the road. Senior cats eating a poor diet their whole life will likely see kidney issues.
This is my first blog post for Ailurophile Cat and Home Care - Cat Sitting Services, and I will post many more issues and topics to come! Advantages of having a professional cat sitter to develop a close working bond with your cat family is so important and helpful as much as hiring your gardener, house cleaner, veterinarian, auto mechanic, etc. It’s a trusted, valued relationship between your cats and the sitter and why wouldn’t you want the best for your kitty family!
Happy Summer!
