You know your cat’s sweet side. The sofa cuddles, the little head bumps, the way they magically appear when you open something that sounds vaguely like a treat bag.
Then someone new walks through the door, and suddenly your affectionate companion disappears under the bed.
If you’re booking a pet sitter, you might wonder: Will they come out? Will they be lonely? What if they won’t let you near them?
My approach is simple: your cat gets to set the pace.
An invitation, please
When I visit your home, I’m entering your cat’s space. They haven’t booked me, read my website, or approved my arrival. As far as they’re concerned, a stranger has appeared with suspiciously strong opinions about cleaning their litter box.
A little caution is understandable.
I give them room to watch, listen, and decide what they think of me. That means moving calmly, speaking gently, and letting them approach when they feel comfortable. I don’t pull a hiding cat out for a cuddle or insist that we become best friends before the visit ends.
Trust deserves a little patience.
Care doesn’t depend on cuddles
Your cat doesn’t have to sit on my lap to receive attentive care.
Their meals, fresh water, clean litter box, and familiar routine still matter. So does checking how they’re doing while respecting their space.
Before you leave, it helps to tell me about their favorite hiding places, their usual habits, and what’s normal for them. Is under the bed their everyday nap spot? Do they usually skip company but come running for dinner? Those details help me understand the individual cat I’m caring for.
And when I send you an update, I’ll be honest about how the visit went. A quiet visit counts, too.
Sometimes friendship starts small
For a shy cat, progress might be staying in the room while I prepare their food. It might be watching from the doorway, sniffing my bag, or accepting a little play with a favorite toy.
I’m happy to meet them there.
If they decide they’d like affection, lovely. If they prefer a calm companion at a respectful distance, that’s welcome too. Every visit doesn’t need to become a photo shoot or a cuddle session.
Tell me their little quirks
The things you know about your cat are valuable: which toy they love, where they like their food bowl, whether they enjoy company while eating, or exactly when a friendly stroke becomes “thank you, that’s enough.”
You don’t need to apologize for a shy cat. I’d much rather hear, “She needs time,” than have her feel pressured to be sociable.
At Willow Home Pet Care, my aim is to help your cat feel comfortable and cared for in their own home while you’re away.
Planning a trip? Get in touch and tell me about your cat—the cuddly ones, the cautious ones, and the ones who will be supervising me from beneath the furniture.
With love,
Willow 🌸
Willow Home Pet Care
