8 Tips for Caring for Cats and Caged Pets
Rover sitters are dog lovers first, but they’ve also taken care of cats, rats, and even horses. Even if you’re not into reptiles, or you’ve never really understood the appeal of cats (what are they really thinking?), understanding how to take care of other pets will make you more appealing to dog owners who have other pets. And of course, if you have your own cats or caged pets, these tips will come in handy for you too.
If you’re caring for dogs in your home and you have cats or caged pets:
- At the Meet & Greet, ask the owners if their dog has a high prey drive: Do they chase squirrels? Do they dive into bushes at the slightest rustling of leaves? If they answer yes, their dog may not be a good fit for you and your pets.
- Keep caged pets in a separate room or out of reach (and remember: dogs can jump higher than you think).
- Cat care 101: Make sure cats have lots of hiding places where dogs can’t reach. Even if the dog just wants to give the cat a friendly lick, it can seem pretty scary to a cat.
- Separate dogs from cats and caged pets if you need to leave the house. Using a baby gate to keep everyone separated is a good way to do this.
If you’re caring for dogs in your client’s home, and they also have cats or caged pets:
- Dogs may behave differently with you than when their parents are away. Keep caged pets in rooms that the dogs can’t access, even if they’re normally in the same area. As the old wisdom goes, better safe than sorry.
- Make sure you get and follow all of the care instructions given for caged pets and cats. Small animals often have very specific diets and cage-cleaning instructions.
- Ask the owner whether their dogs have moments where they don’t get along with the cats or other pets. If so, separate them when you need to leave the house.
- Make sure you know what vet any exotic pets the owner has can be taken to, just in case.
Even if you’re used to caring for cats or other caged pets, we recommend following these pet care tips to ensure every species gets along. Of course, your primary goal is to keep everyone safe, but you may even end up discovering you love taking care of cats, caged pets, and even horses.