Cat Sitting Course

Lesson 1 • Reading Cat Body Language

Decode tail positions, ear angles, whisker placement, and pupil dilation as behavioral signals. Connects to safe handling by preventing misread cues that cause bites or scratches.

Lesson 2 • Territorial and Predatory Instincts

Understand scent marking, resource guarding, and hunting drive as hardwired behaviors. Recognizing these prevents conflict and informs environment setup during sitting assignments.

Lesson 3 • Stress and Anxiety Indicators

Identify hiding, over-grooming, appetite loss, and aggression as stress responses. Early detection allows sitters to adjust their approach before behavior escalates.

Lesson 4 • Socialization Levels and Personality Types

Categorize cats as confident, shy, fearful, or feral-adjacent and adapt interaction style accordingly. Matching approach to personality type reduces stress for both cat and sitter.

Lesson 1 • Low-Stress Restraint Approaches

Apply towel wraps, minimal restraint, and cooperative care principles to reduce fear during handling. These techniques align with Fear Free methodology to protect cat welfare.

Lesson 2 • Proper Lifting and Carrying Methods

Execute correct two-hand support lifts and body-secure carries for cats of different sizes. Proper technique prevents spinal stress on the cat and reduces sitter injury risk.

Lesson 3 • Bite and Scratch Prevention

Recognize pre-bite warning sequences and reposition before contact occurs. Prevention strategies protect sitter health and maintain the owner-client relationship.

Lesson 1 • Hydration Strategies and Water Sources

Maintain water fountains, bowls, and wet-food hydration to meet daily feline fluid needs. Adequate hydration prevents urinary tract issues common in cats under stress.

Lesson 2 • Feeding Schedules and Portion Control

Implement timed meals, free-feeding, and puzzle-feeder schedules as directed by owners. Consistent scheduling prevents overeating, anxiety, and litter box irregularities.

Lesson 3 • Wet, Dry, and Raw Food Protocols

Handle, store, and serve wet, dry, freeze-dried, and raw diets according to safety and owner instructions. Correct handling prevents spoilage, contamination, and digestive upset.

Lesson 4 • Feline Nutritional Requirements

Explain obligate carnivore biology, taurine dependency, and protein-fat-carbohydrate ratios for cats. This foundation ensures sitters understand why feeding instructions must be followed precisely.

Lesson 1 • Identifying Elimination Problems

Distinguish medical causes from behavioral causes of inappropriate elimination and document findings. Accurate identification determines whether a vet call or behavior adjustment is needed.

Lesson 2 • Litter Box Setup and Placement

Apply the N+1 rule, correct box sizing, and strategic placement away from food and high-traffic zones. Proper setup prevents avoidance behavior and house soiling incidents.

Lesson 3 • Litter Types and Cat Preferences

Compare clumping, non-clumping, crystal, paper, and wood litters and match to individual cat preferences. Using the wrong litter type is a leading cause of box avoidance.

Lesson 1 • Medication Administration Basics

Administer pills, liquids, topical treatments, and eye or ear drops as prescribed by owners or vets. Correct technique ensures therapeutic doses are delivered without stressing the cat.

Lesson 2 • Daily Health Assessment Routine

Conduct structured head-to-tail visual checks covering eyes, ears, coat, gait, and breathing daily. Consistent assessment creates a baseline that makes abnormalities immediately detectable.

Lesson 3 • Emergency Situations and Response

Execute immediate responses to choking, seizures, trauma, and suspected poisoning before vet arrival. Rapid correct action in the first minutes significantly affects survival outcomes.

Lesson 4 • When to Contact a Veterinarian

Apply clear decision criteria distinguishing monitor-at-home situations from urgent vet contact needs. Knowing this threshold prevents both under-reaction and unnecessary emergency visits.

Lesson 1 • Interactive Play Techniques

Execute wand toy, laser pointer, and feather sessions using proper predatory sequence timing. Correct play technique prevents frustration, obesity, and redirected aggression.

Lesson 2 • Window, Outdoor, and Sensory Access

Optimize window perches, bird feeders, and safe outdoor enclosures as passive enrichment sources. Environmental viewing reduces boredom without requiring direct sitter interaction.

Lesson 3 • Understanding Feline Enrichment Needs

Connect predatory sequence, climbing, hiding, and scratching needs to specific enrichment categories. Meeting these needs reduces stress and destructive behavior during owner absence.

Lesson 4 • Enrichment for Special Populations

Adapt enrichment plans for senior, disabled, indoor-only, and multi-cat households with specific constraints. Tailored plans ensure every cat receives appropriate stimulation regardless of limitations.

Lesson 1 • Reading Inter-Cat Relationships

Distinguish affiliative behaviors from tolerance and active conflict between resident cats. Accurate relationship reading determines how closely sitters need to supervise interactions.

Lesson 2 • Temporary Cat Introductions

Manage scent swapping, visual barriers, and controlled meetings when a new cat is temporarily present. Structured introductions prevent territorial aggression during unfamiliar cat visits.

Lesson 3 • Resource Distribution in Multi-Cat Homes

Apply separate feeding stations, water sources, litter boxes, and resting spots to reduce competition. Adequate resource distribution is the primary prevention tool for inter-cat conflict.

Lesson 1 • Insurance, Bonding, and Risk Management

Identify appropriate insurance types, bonding requirements, and risk mitigation practices for pet sitters. Proper coverage protects the sitter's finances and reassures clients of professionalism.

Lesson 2 • Visit Logs and Client Communication

Maintain detailed visit logs and send consistent photo or video updates to owners during sits. Transparent communication builds trust and differentiates professional sitters from casual ones.

Lesson 3 • Pricing, Scheduling, and Business Basics

Set competitive rates, manage booking calendars, and track income and expenses for a sustainable business. Sound business fundamentals allow sitters to grow without burnout or financial loss.

Lesson 4 • Client Intake and Meet-and-Greet

Conduct structured pre-sit consultations that gather medical history, feeding plans, and emergency contacts. Thorough intake prevents surprises and establishes professional credibility with owners.