How to Choose the Right Cat Sitter in Redwood City: 8 Tips Every Cat Parent Should Know

If you’re searching for a cat sitter Redwood City families rely on, you’re not alone – cat ownership is widespread, and demand for quality in-home care keeps rising. Recent industry data shows 49 million U.S. households own cats, underscoring just how many of us need dependable care when work or travel calls.

For many felines, staying in their own territory is far less stressful than boarding, which is why cat sitting services Redwood City residents choose should emphasize low-stress, home-based routines supported by professional standards. Veterinary guidelines consistently note that reducing unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells helps minimize feline stress and promote well-being.

Below is a practical, step-by-step guide to evaluating sitters, including what to ask, what to verify, and how to spot a great match for your cat’s personality and your schedule.

1) Verify professionalism, insurance, and background checks

The foundation of trust is professionalism. Ask every potential sitter:

• Are you insured and bonded?
  Professional sitters should carry liability insurance that covers incidents during visits. The best also carry bonding, ensuring your reimbursement if something of value is stolen. Simply The Best Pet Care carries insurance and bonding through the pet industry’s leading provider, Business Insurers of the Carolinas.
  
• Do you run background checks on staff before hiring them?
  The most professional pet care companies run background checks on candidates before hiring them, verifying against state and federal databases. Your prospective sitter should be able to affirm this and tell you the background check company they use. We here at Simply The Best Pet Care always run background checks and use Acutraq to do so.
  
• Are you members of an international pet sitting organization?
  The pet care industry is highly unregulated, and anyone can claim to be an expert. Your prospective cat sitter should be part of a professional, well-established, international pet sitting organization. These organizations uphold pet sitting standards, provide ongoing education, and promote professionalism. Simply The Best is a member of Pet Sitters International, the world’s largest professional pet sitting association, founded in 1994. 
  

If a candidate can’t answer these basics clearly, keep looking – your goal is a trusted cat sitter Redwood City families feel comfortable welcoming into their homes.

2) Ask about low-stress, cat-knowledgeable care

Cats thrive on routine and familiar territory. Boarding facilities and car travel can trigger stress for many cats, while in-home care preserves their sense of safety. Feline experts (AAFP/ISFM) emphasize environmental adjustments that reduce stress – for example, keeping feeding, litter, and resting areas predictable and minimizing exposure to unfamiliar animals or loud environments. 

Questions to ask:

• How do you approach shy, senior, or anxious cats?
  
• What’s your process for introductions (e.g., a quiet meet-and-greet with treats and minimal eye contact)?
  
• How do you maintain my cat’s routine (feeding, play style, litter upkeep, meds)?
  

Look for thoughtful answers about feline body language, and gradual trust-building, hallmarks of premium cat sitting Redwood City tech professionals appreciate when long hours and travel are on the calendar.

3) Clarify visit structure, updates, and contingencies

Daily visit structure matters – especially for busy cat parents. Ask for specifics:

• Enrichment plan: What kind of play (wand toys, food puzzles), grooming, or cuddle time is included?
  
• Photo/video updates: Will I receive time-stamped check-ins after each visit?
  
• Back up coverage: If the assigned sitter gets sick, who steps in? Are they trained and background checked, too?
  

A strong, transparent process separates true professional cat sitting services Redwood City families can count on from hobbyists who aren’t as reliable or established. Here at Simply The Best, we go over all this information during your complimentary meet and greet. You can count on time-stamped updates with adorable photos after every visit, a team who ensures your cat is never missed, and quality time spent with your cat at each visit.

Learn more about how our process works at Simply The Best.

4) Health, safety, and emergency readiness

Even healthy cats need safeguards. A prepared sitter should:

• Recognize stress and illness early. AAFP and AAHA guidelines highlight how stress can exacerbate illness; a tuned-in sitter notices changes in appetite, litter habits, posture, and hiding.
  
• Have a veterinary protocol. Who’s your primary vet? Which urgent care is nearest? What’s the threshold for contacting you vs. going straight to the vet? Get this in writing before you travel. Simply The Best includes a veterinary protocol form in our onboarding procedure, gathering pertinent information such as vet info, maximum amount we can spend on vet intervention, whether we can euthanize without consent, and what to do in the event of pet death. It’s not a fun subject to think about, but in-depth protocols are a must.
  

5) Proof of experience and local recommendations

A seasoned cat sitter Redwood City owners recommend will have:

• Local testimonials on their site or Google Business page from cat parents like you.
  
• Medication competence (pills, transdermal meds, sub-Q fluids if needed).
  
• Key management & home security policies (lockboxes, alarm disarming).

6) The meet-and-greet: what “good” looks like

Use the meet-and-greet to observe:

• Cat-first pacing: A calm entry, speaking softly, letting your cat approach on their timeline.
  
• Detailed observation: The prospective sitter should thoroughly observe your explanation of care and other details, giving you their full attention. 

• Writing information down: These care and home details should be promptly transcribed after the meet and greet in an online software such as Time To Pet, ensuring no information is missed. You can then review it and ensure it’s correct, or make changes as your cat’s needs change.
  

End the meet and greet by confirming the schedule, post-visit update cadence (texts/photos), and payment terms. A professional will also summarize everything in a written service agreement.

7) Pricing and value: what are you paying for?

Rates vary, but remember you’re not buying minutes – you’re buying outcomes and peace of mind: a healthy, calm cat and a worry-free trip. With pet spending at historic highs nationwide – the industry reported $136.8B in U.S. pet expenditures in 2022 – it’s clear owners value reliable, professional care. 

Expect premium cat sitting Redwood City providers to price for insured, trained staff; same-day communication; and robust contingency coverage. It’s worth asking what’s included (playtime, litter refresh, light home care like mail/plants).

8) Red flags—when to keep looking

• Vague answers about insurance, background checks, or cat comfort.
  
• Infrequent updates or no commitment to time-stamped check-ins.
  
• No back-up plan if a sitter is ill or delayed.
  
• Rushed meet and greet with little interest in your cat’s routine.
  

You and your cat deserve the best. A trusted cat sitter Redwood City pet parents recommend will welcome your questions and provide documentation without hesitation.

Your quick-fire question list

1. Are you insured/bonded and do you run background checks on all sitters? (Which screening company?)
   
2. What low-stress handling methods do you use for shy or senior cats?
   
3. How long are visits, and what’s included (feeding, litter, enrichment, meds)?
   
4. What’s your update cadence and format (photos, time stamps)?
   
5. Do you collect and store thorough vet protocols so my wishes are met?
   
6. Who is the backup if the assigned sitter is unavailable, and are they trained and screened?
   
7. Is there a detailed service agreement?

Your cat deserves the best, and you deserve peace of mind

Choosing the right cat sitter Redwood City families count on comes down to verified professionalism, low-stress feline care, and transparent communication. Start with proof of insurance and background checks, look for thorough communication, and confirm a clear plan for updates and emergencies. With the right partner, your cat stays safe and serene at home while you focus on work or enjoy your trip.

If you’re comparing cat sitting services Redwood City pet parents recommend, look for those extra touches that make the care truly premium. When you find a trusted cat sitter Redwood City cat parents can vouch for, you’ll feel the difference: a relaxed cat, a secure home, and genuine peace of mind.

Simply The Best Pet Care’s goals are exactly that: premium cat sitting services that deliver your time and energy back. When you know your cat is in good hands, you can focus on traveling without the worry. Schedule your complimentary meet and greet today to feel the STB difference!