If you’re a cat parent in Newmarket, Aurora, Sharon, or Holland Landing, you’ve probably felt that familiar mix of excitement and guilt when planning a trip.
You’re looking forward to a holiday or visiting family, but there’s one nagging worry in the back of your mind:
“Will my cat be okay while I’m away?” followed by all the “what if’s”
The good news is that with a little preparation (and the right support), travel can be stress-free, and your cat can enjoy a wonderful stay-cation. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to prepare:
- Your cat
- Your home
- And your pet sitter
So you can lock the door, head out on vacation and truly relax.
Why Most Cats Do Best at Home
Unlike many dogs, most cats are deeply attached to their territory. Their safe place is your home, your smells, their favourite napping spots, and their usual routine. They truly are creatures of habit.
Moving them to an unfamiliar environment (like a boarding facility or a friend’s house) can be stressful, especially for:
- Shy or nervous cats
- Senior cats
- Cats with medical or dietary needs
- Multi-cat households
- Cats unaccustomed to other pets or children.
That’s why in-home cat sitting is often the least stressful option. Your cat stays in its comfort zone, while a trusted professional comes to them to keep their routine as close to normal as possible:
- Feed and refresh water
- Clean the litter box
- Provide playtime and affection (on your cat’s terms, of course!)
- Monitor their health and behaviour
- Send you updates after each visit so you know they’re okay
Now let’s talk about how to get everything ready before you go.
1. Book Your Cat Sitter Early (Especially Around Holidays)
Just like flights and hotels, professional pet sitters book up quickly, especially around:
- Long weekends
- March Break
- Summer holidays
- Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year’s
As soon as you start planning your trip, it’s a good idea to:
- Check availability for your travel dates.
- If you’re a new client, expect a simple onboarding process depending on the business set up. Usually setting up a secure online account or client profile before booking your meet & greet. This is where your sitter will safely store all of your cat’s information.
- Schedule a quick zoom meet & greet so they can review your files, clarify anything unclear, and discuss your routine and expectations.
At York Professional Pet Sitting and Dog Walking, we ask new clients to first create their secure online account in Time To Pet, and then we book the meet and greet. That way, all of your pet and home details are safely stored and easy for us to access before your first visit.
Booking early and completing onboarding ahead of time means one less thing on your travel to-do list.
2. Put All Your Cat’s Information in a Secure File or Client Portal
Your sitter will need detailed information about your cat’s routine. Instead of leaving notes on the counter (which can blow away, be “rearranged” by an enthusiastic cat, or get misplaced), keep everything stored in one secure place.
Many professional pet sitting companies (including ours) use an online client portal where you can fill in all your pet and home details once, and then simply update them as needed. All those important questions are already built into the system, you just log in and fill in the blanks.
If your sitter uses a portal like this:
- Make sure your pet profile is complete and up-to-date.
- Double-check that all sections (feeding, litter, medication, home access, emergency contacts) are filled in.
- Update any recent changes before your trip (new food, new vet, new alarm code, etc.).
If your sitter doesn’t use an online portal, ask how they prefer to securely store your information (for example, in an encrypted file). The key is that everything is stored safely and not just written on loose paper that can blow off the counter.
3. Create a Simple, Consistent Routine for Your Cat
Cats love predictability. To keep your cat’s stress to a minimum, your sitter will aim to match your usual routine as closely as possible.
Make sure your client portal or file clearly explains:
Feeding Instructions
- What food they eat (brand, flavour, wet/dry)
- Exact portions and how often they’re fed
- Where food, bowls, and treats are stored
- Any special instructions (e.g., add water, warm wet food slightly)
Litter Box Routine
- Number and location of litter boxes
- Where should litter be disposed.
Playtime & Comfort
- Favourite toys and games (feather wand, laser pointer, ball toys, etc.)
- Preferred “safe” hiding spots
- Spots they love to be petted—and places to avoid
Importantly, let your cat sitter know where string toys, wand toys, or anything with long cords are stored. We can take them out only during the visit for supervised play, and then put them safely away and out of reach when we leave. This keeps playtime fun and prevents unsupervised access to items that could be dangerous if chewed. wrapped around them or swallowed.
The more clearly this information is recorded in your portal or file, the more smoothly your cat’s routine will continue while you’re away.
4. Prepare Your Home for Safe, Stress-Free Cat Care
A little bit of home prep can go a long way in keeping your cat safe and your sitter’s visits smooth.
Cat-Proof the House
Before you leave, do a quick safety walk-through:
- Put away strings, ribbons, hair ties, elastic bands, and small toys they could swallow.
- Secure or remove toxic plants (for example, lilies are extremely dangerous to cats).
- Store medications and cleaning products behind closed doors.
- Close doors to rooms you do not want cats to access.
- Check that windows and balcony doors shut securely and screens are intact.
Set Up a Comfortable “Cat Zone”
Some cats feel best when they have a safe, quiet area to retreat to. This might be:
- A favourite room where they already like to spend time
- A guest room with their bed, litter box, food/water, and a hiding spot
Let your sitter know in your portal/file which rooms your cat is allowed in, and whether there are any doors that should stay open or closed.
Adjust the Temperature and Lighting
Ontario weather can be unpredictable, so:
- Set your thermostat to a comfortable, stable temperature.
- Consider leaving a small light or night light on, especially in winter when it gets dark early.
Your cat may not care about the decor, but they will appreciate a cozy, consistent environment.
5. Share Health and Emergency Information Upfront
Even if your cat is in great health, life happens. Giving your sitter the right information upfront means they can act quickly and calmly if needed.
In your secure online portal or client file, make sure you’ve added:
- Your veterinarian’s name, clinic, and phone number
- Emergency vet clinic info if you have a specfic one you like to use. (especially important for evenings/weekends)
- A local emergency contact (friend, neighbour, or family member with access to your home)
Also include:
- Any existing medical conditions (kidney disease, thyroid issues, diabetes, allergies, etc.)
- Medications: names, doses, and how your cat prefers to take them
- What’s “normal” for your cat: appetite, water intake, litter box habits, energy level
The more we know what “normal” looks like, the faster we can spot if something isn’t quite right and update you appropriately.
6. Help Your Shy or Nervous Cat Feel More Comfortable
If your cat tends to hide when visitors come over, you’re not alone. We care for many shy and “stranger-wary” cats in Newmarket, Aurora, Sharon, and Holland Landing.
Here are a few things that can help:
- For new clients, complete your online onboarding and then schedule a meet & greet so your cat can see us at least once before you go.
- Keep their safe spaces accessible—under the bed, inside a closet, inside a covered cat bed, or on a high perch.
- Consider leaving out a blanket or item of clothing with your scent for comfort.
- Note in your portal/file your cat’s favourite treats and where you store them.
During visits, we always move at your cat’s pace. We’ll never force interaction; some cats are happiest quietly observing us from a distance at first. That’s perfectly okay. Our job is to keep them safe, fed, clean, and as comfortable as possible, whether they’re social butterflies or hidden little ghosts. However, we will always want to get eyes on them to ensure they are not in distress.
7. Set Expectations for Updates and Communication
One of the biggest stress relievers for cat parents is simply knowing how things are going at home.
Most professional pet sitters will ask how often you’d like updates and what kind of information you find most reassuring. Think about:
- How often you’d like updates.
- Your preferred method: through the client portal/app, text, or email (depending on what your sitter offers).
- What you find most helpful:
- Photos of your cat
- Notes about eating/litter habits
- Short “all is well” summaries
At York Professional Pet Sitting and Dog Walking, we send detailed visit reports through our secure portal, complete with notes and photos. Many of our clients tell us they look forward to their updates as much as their morning coffee!
8. What to Do Right Before You Walk Out the Door
On departure day, here’s a quick checklist:
- [ ] Make sure you have enough food, treats, and litter for the entire trip (plus a little extra, just in case).
- [ ] Confirm your portal/file is up-to-date—including any alarm codes, door codes, or lockbox combinations.
- [ ] Ensure your sitter has reliable access to your home (keys, codes, instructions all clearly recorded in your portal).
- [ ] Put away unsafe items, and make sure any supervised-only toys (like string or wand toys) are stored where your sitter can find and put them away again.
- [ ] Leave your cat in their usual routine—no need for long emotional goodbyes, which can sometimes stress them.
- [ ] Lock doors and windows, set alarms as needed, and let your security company (if you have one) know a pet sitter will be visiting.
Then, it’s time to head out and enjoy your trip, confident your cat is in good hands.
Travel Is Better When You Know Your Cat Is Safe and Loved
Traveling as a cat parent doesn’t have to mean worrying your entire trip.
With a trusted, professional cat sitter:
- Your cat stays in the comfort of their own home
- Their routine is maintained
- Their safety and well-being are monitored
- You receive regular updates so you’re never left wondering
If you’re planning a getaway, from a weekend in cottage country to a longer trip—we’re here to help.
York Professional Pet Sitting and Dog Walking has been caring for cats and dogs in Newmarket, Aurora, Sharon, and Holland Landing since 2000. We understand how much your feline family members mean to you, and we treat them like our own.
Ready to Enjoy Stress-Free Travel?
If you’ve got travel plans coming up and want to make sure your cat is comfortable, safe, and loved while you’re away, we’d be honoured to help.
Contact us today to:
- Set up your secure online account and complete your pet profile
- Check availability for your travel dates
- Arrange a meet & greet
- Ask any questions about our cat sitting services
So you can pack your bags, lock the door, and travel with total peace of mind—knowing your cat is home, happy, and well cared for.
Morag is the owner and founder of York Regions most trusted premier in-home pet care and dog walking companies. In 2000 she saw a need for an alternative to kennels, catteries for family pets in the area and has always believed that pets are much happier and less stressed staying in their own familiar environment. Morag and her team are all certified in Pet 1st Aid and CPR, she also offers continuous training to her team members through online and hands on pet care and pet behaviour and care courses. Morag has earned her certificate in Professional Pet Sitting, Professional Dog Walking and Canine Attendant training. She has lived in the Newmarket/Aurora area since 1991 is a wife, a mother of 2 adult children and a grandmother of 2 delightful little balls of energy. She has also been owned by fish, birds, mice, rats, cats, dogs, gerbils and guinea pigs and is an advocate for all living creatures. In her spare time she likes to be involved in her community and events travelling, reading and cooking. Learn More About Morag.
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