Looking for a cat sitter in Chicago? Start with your cat’s routine, the care you need and the questions that help you assess a provider before handing over your keys.

Chicago Urban Pets now shares pet-care resources and referrals; we no longer provide cat-sitting services directly. This guide draws on more than 12 years of pet-care experience to help you choose care that fits your cat. If you need a Chicago provider, you can contact Green Paws Chicago through our referral page and confirm availability and services with their team.

Disclosure: Some articles on this site may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, Chicago Urban Pets may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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3 Top Tips Before Starting Your Cat Sitter Search

Before comparing sitters, be clear about the care your cat needs. Write down feeding, litter, medication and companionship requirements so each provider can quote for the same work.

Outline Your Cat’s Care Routine

The basics are feeding, litter box cleaning and some playtime. If your cat has special needs, outline those immediately. You need to ensure the cat sitting service you reach out to can accommodate requests outside of basic cat care.

Visit Frequency

Plan visit frequency with your caregiver around your cat’s age, health and routine, and ask your veterinarian about any medical needs. Cats Protection recommends at least twice-daily visits for holiday care; kittens, older cats and cats with certain health conditions may need more frequent checks.

An automatic feeder can support an agreed feeding routine, but it does not replace a sitter checking on your cat, refreshing water, cleaning litter boxes and noticing changes. Do not reduce in-person care simply because a feeder is available.

Visit Length

Ask which visit lengths the provider offers and what is included. Allow enough time for feeding, fresh water, litter cleaning, any agreed medication and interaction at your cat’s pace. Confirm whether the quoted time includes building access and writing the update.

Where Can I Find Cat Sitters in Chicago?

Once you have your care requirements, build a shortlist and confirm that each provider serves your address and dates.

Family and Friends

The first place to check is with your family and friends. They may have used a professional cat sitter before and can give you a good referral. If they haven’t used a professional cat sitter, they may still be able to give you some good leads.

Yelp

Use local directories such as Yelp to find possible providers. Read recent, specific reviews, then verify the arrangements directly; a review score alone does not establish that a sitter is right for your cat.

Tip: Some dog-walking companies also offer cat visits. Check their actual cat-care experience rather than deciding from the business name.

Google

Check providers’ websites and recent Google reviews for information about their services and communication. Use those details to prepare questions for a meet-and-greet.

Narrow your shortlist to providers whose availability, experience and care arrangements match what you need.

What to look for when hiring a cat sitter

A meet-and-greet is a chance to discuss both your cat’s needs and how the service works. Take notes so you can compare clear answers.

Communication Skills

Ask how you will receive updates, who responds to messages and how to reach someone during an urgent situation.

Agree on realistic response times before booking, including evenings and holidays. Confirm whether photos, visit reports or arrival notifications are included, and what happens if a report is missed.

Experience in Cat care

Ask about experience with cats and any care your cat needs. If you are considering a company, ask how caregivers are trained and who may cover a visit.

Read the provider’s background information and ask about relevant experience during your first conversation. Time in business is useful context, but it is not a guarantee of care quality.

If your cat needs medication or complex care, discuss the plan with your veterinarian and confirm that the sitter has the skills and availability to follow it. Ask your vet for suitable care recommendations if needed.

Ask for References

Ask what background screening the provider uses and whether they can supply relevant client references. Screening and reviews are useful information, not a substitute for your own assessment.

Request references from clients with similar care needs, and contact them if possible. Ask about reliability, communication and how problems were handled.

Professional cat sitter or trusted friend: what to compare

A professional service and a trusted friend can offer different arrangements. Compare the specific plan, reliability and backup available rather than assuming either option guarantees better care.

Care instructions and updates

Ask what information the sitter needs before your trip and agree on updates that are useful to you. Leave written instructions, emergency contacts and veterinary authorization, and make sure the sitter can access them.

Some services use apps for visit updates. Ask whether yours does, what the notifications mean and how you can reach a person if you have a concern.

Home access and household expectations

Whether you hire a professional or ask a friend, explain home access, alarm instructions, where supplies belong and any household rules. Discuss cameras and other people who may enter while you are away.

Agree on the small details that matter to you: bowl cleaning, litter disposal, securing doors and putting supplies away. Confirm who holds a backup key and how access problems will be handled.

Insurance, bonding and backup

Ask whether the provider carries current pet-care insurance, what it covers and whether bonding applies. Request confirmation rather than assuming every sitter is bonded or insured.

Also ask about exclusions, emergency procedures and backup care if the sitter becomes unavailable. Read the agreement so you understand the arrangements before booking.

What to ask your sitter to observe while you’re away

Before your trip, explain what is normal for your cat: eating, litter-box use, activity, hiding and social interaction.

Agree on what the sitter should report, when to contact you and when to seek veterinary advice. Leave your vet’s details, an emergency clinic contact and a local backup contact.

Changes in your cat’s usual behavior

Ask for observations about your cat’s usual activities and interaction, with photos if agreed. A report should describe what the sitter noticed rather than diagnose how your cat feels.

Tell the sitter about preferred hiding places, favorite activities and how your cat normally greets people. Ask them to respect your cat’s boundaries and avoid forcing contact for a photo.

If the sitter notices a change, ask them to describe it and follow your agreed contact plan. Do not assume a new behavior is simply a reaction to your absence.

Is your cat using the litter box regularly?

Ask the sitter to clean the litter boxes as agreed and report changes in urine, stool or box use. Describe your cat’s usual pattern before you leave rather than relying on a generic stool-consistency comparison.

Litter-box accidents can have medical causes. Merck Veterinary Manual explains that medical problems should be ruled out when cats urinate or defecate outside the box. Contact your veterinarian about new changes; do not label them as loneliness or irritation.

Is your cat eating normally?

Leave clear feeding instructions and explain your cat’s usual appetite. Ask the sitter to record what they offer and what your cat actually eats, and to contact you and follow the veterinary plan if intake changes.

These observations help you and your veterinarian respond to concerns. A sitter’s role is to notice and report changes, not to diagnose them or promise that everything is fine.

Red flags to watch out for when hiring a cat sitter

Pay attention to answers and behavior that leave important care questions unresolved. Discuss concerns before committing rather than relying on a reassuring sales pitch.

Lack of knowledge

A sitter who cannot explain how they would follow your cat’s instructions—or dismisses important care needs—may not be a suitable fit. Questions asked to clarify the routine are a positive sign.

Ask the sitter to explain how they would handle your cat’s food, litter setup and any agreed medication. They should be willing to learn your specific routine and acknowledge anything they cannot safely provide.

Lack of Interest

Notice whether the sitter listens to your concerns and asks about your cat’s habits, preferences and boundaries.

Look for a calm, patient approach that lets your cat choose whether to interact. A shy cat does not need to approach a stranger for a meet-and-greet to be useful.

Bad time-management

Unexplained missed appointments, repeated last-minute changes or unclear arrival arrangements are reasons to ask more questions. Discuss visit windows, communication about delays and the backup plan.

If important questions remain unanswered, keep looking. Clear expectations and a meet-and-greet can help you make a more informed choice.

Finding Cat Sitting Services Doesn’t Have To Be Hard

Finding a sitter takes some preparation. Start with your cat’s needs, compare the care actually offered and confirm the details in writing.

Before you leave, review your instructions with the caregiver and confirm access, emergency contacts and travel-delay arrangements. Keep the checklist handy for your next trip.

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