Cat Sitting in Finchley – Calm In-Home Cat Care & Holiday Visits

Calm cat care in familiar surroundings

Updated August 2026

Going away is much easier when you know that your cat is safe, comfortable and following their normal routine.

I provide cat-sitting and feeding visits in Finchley, North Finchley, Finchley Central, East Finchley, Muswell Hill and selected nearby areas of North London.

Your cat remains in their own home with their familiar:

• Food
• Water bowls
• Litter trays
• Beds
• Hiding places
• Scratching areas
• Household smells
• Daily routine

I visit at the agreed times to provide feeding, fresh water, litter-tray care, companionship, enrichment, medication support where appropriate and general welfare observations.

Some cats meet me at the door.

Others watch from the stairs or remain in a favourite hiding place.

I do not force interaction or pull nervous cats out to take a photograph. I follow the routine we have agreed and allow your cat to decide how much contact they want.

I have provided professional pet care since 2011 and care for one household at a time.

Contact Del about cat sitting

View current cat-sitting prices

Cat sitting at a glance

Service detail	Information
One cat-sitting visit	£15
Two visits in one day	£25
Additional 15 minutes	£6
Additional 30 minutes	£12
Location	Your cat remains in their own home
Visit frequency	At least once daily, with twice-daily visits recommended for many cats
Cats included	One or more cats from the same household
Updates	Photographs and messages where appropriate
Medication	Straightforward medication support may be available by prior agreement
Main areas	Finchley, Muswell Hill and selected nearby areas
First step	Initial enquiry followed by a meet-and-greet

Several cats do not automatically mean a separate charge for each cat.

Additional time may be required where several feeding routines, litter trays, medications or other tasks cannot be completed properly during the standard visit.

Why many cats prefer remaining at home

Cats often build a strong relationship with their territory.

Their home contains familiar:

• Smells
• Sounds
• Resting places
• Feeding areas
• Toileting areas
• Escape routes
• Hiding places
• People and routines

Moving to a cattery or another person’s home changes many of these things at once.

Home cat sitting allows your cat to remain in the environment they already understand while receiving regular care from one consistent person.

This can be particularly helpful for:

• Shy or nervous cats
• Rescue cats
• Indoor cats
• Senior cats
• Cats who dislike travelling
• Cats who become upset in a carrier
• Cats with established medication routines
• Multi-cat households
• Homes containing cats, dogs and small animals

A well-run cattery can be suitable for some cats. The right choice depends on the individual cat, their health, previous experience and normal routine.

Cats Protection explains that remaining at home can be the safest and least unsettling holiday-care option for many cats.

Read Cats Protection guidance about leaving your cat while you travel

You can also read my comparison:

Why Cats Often Prefer Staying at Home Instead of a Cattery

What happens during a cat-sitting visit?

Every visit is based on the routine agreed before you leave.

A typical visit may include:

• Preparing your cat’s normal food
• Refreshing drinking water
• Cleaning litter trays
• Checking for changes in urine or faeces
• Straightforward medication support
• Quiet companionship
• Interactive play where wanted
• Preparing agreed enrichment
• Grooming where welcomed
• Checking agreed doors, windows and cat flaps
• Looking for visible signs that something has changed
• Bringing in post
• Managing agreed lights or curtains
• Sending an update and photograph

I do not introduce new foods, treats, litter or equipment during your holiday unless there is a clear reason and you have agreed to it.

Cats often cope best when their routine remains predictable.

One visit or two visits each day?

Every cat should receive an appropriate welfare visit every day while you are away.

I do not offer every-other-day visits as a normal holiday-care arrangement.

One visit each day

One good daily visit may be suitable for some healthy adult cats with:

• A straightforward feeding routine
• No medication
• Reliable water arrangements
• Clean and accessible litter trays
• No significant health concerns
• A relatively independent personality
• A safe home environment
• A routine that can be completed properly in one visit

One visit costs £15.

Two visits each day

Two visits cost £25 in total for the day.

Twice-daily visits may be more appropriate for:

• Kittens
• Senior cats
• Cats receiving medication
• Cats with medical conditions
• Very sociable cats
• Cats accustomed to morning and evening meals
• Outdoor cats who follow an indoor and outdoor routine
• Multi-cat households
• Cats needing closer observation
• Longer holidays
• Homes with more involved litter or feeding routines

Two visits may help keep the routine closer to normal.

For example:

Morning visit

• Breakfast
• Fresh water
• Litter-tray care
• Medication
• Play or companionship
• General welfare observations

Evening visit

• Evening meal
• Fresh water
• Litter-tray care
• Medication
• Play, grooming or companionship
• Cat-flap or access arrangements
• Home check and secure lock-up

Cats Protection recommends regular daily checks and advises that young, older or medically vulnerable cats may require more frequent care.

I will discuss the most appropriate visit frequency with you rather than automatically recommending the cheapest arrangement.

Read How Often Should a Cat Sitter Visit?

Feeding your cat

Please leave clear written feeding instructions.

These should explain:

• The food your cat normally eats
• Portion sizes
• Feeding times
• Where food is stored
• Whether cats eat separately
• Whether wet and dry food are combined
• Treat allowances
• Allergies
• Veterinary diets
• Supplements
• What to do if your cat does not eat

Please leave enough food for the whole booking plus a reasonable amount in case your return is delayed.

Where several cats eat different diets, clearly label:

• Each cat’s food
• Bowls
• Feeding locations
• Portions
• Medication food
• Any cat who steals from another bowl

I will not change a prescribed or established diet without discussing it with you.

A noticeable reduction in appetite can be significant, particularly in a cat with an existing condition.

Please explain what is normal for your cat and when you would want me to contact your vet.

Fresh drinking water

Your cat should have access to clean drinking water throughout the booking.

Please show me:

• All water-bowl locations
• How often the water should be changed
• Whether a fountain is used
• How the fountain is filled
• Where spare filters are kept
• Whether a veterinary water additive is prescribed

A water fountain should not be the only source of water.

Pumps can stop, power can be interrupted, and filters can become blocked. Leave at least one ordinary bowl as a backup.

During warmer weather, I also pay attention to:

• Changes in drinking
• Reduced appetite
• Unusual hiding
• Restlessness
• Lethargy
• The rooms your cat chooses to use
• Room temperature and ventilation

Read my guide to Keeping Cats Cool in Hot Weather

Litter-tray care

Litter trays provide useful information about your cat’s wellbeing as well as somewhere to toilet.

During visits, I can:

• Remove urine and faeces
• Top up familiar litter where needed
• Clean small accidents
• Check whether the tray appears to be used normally
• Report changes
• Dispose of waste as agreed

Please leave:

• Enough familiar litter
• Waste bags
• A scoop
• Suitable cleaning products
• Instructions for waste disposal
• Spare trays where appropriate

Tell me what is normal for your cat.

Important changes may include:

• Repeated visits to the tray
• Straining
• Crying while toileting
• Blood
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Suddenly avoiding the tray
• Toileting in unusual places
• Producing noticeably more or less urine

A cat that appears unable to pass urine may require urgent veterinary attention.

I observe and report changes, but I do not diagnose medical conditions.

Indoor cats

Indoor cats depend entirely on their home environment for:

• Food
• Water
• Toileting
• Movement
• Play
• Scratching
• Climbing
• Observation
• Companionship
• Choice

A visit for an indoor cat may include:

• Interactive play
• A food search
• A puzzle feeder
• Rotating familiar toys
• Brushing
• Window watching
• Quiet company
• Checking doors and windows
• Cleaning litter trays
• Monitoring food and water

String, ribbon, elastic and fishing-rod toys should not be left unattended.

I use these only during supervised play and put them away afterwards.

Read Indoor Enrichment for Cats While You Are Away

Outdoor cats

Outdoor cats still need regular visits and welfare checks.

A visit may include checking:

• Whether your cat has returned
• Whether they are eating normally
• Paws and visible areas for obvious injuries
• Normal behaviour
• Cat-flap operation
• Indoor toileting arrangements
• Doors and windows
• Food and water
• Whether anything unusual has been brought indoors

Outdoor access while you are away must be discussed before the booking.

Important considerations include:

• Your cat’s normal routine
• Traffic
• Weather
• Fireworks
• Building work
• Night-time access
• Other local cats
• Recent injuries
• Medication
• Whether your cat reliably returns
• What should happen if they do not appear

I cannot guarantee that an outdoor cat will return at a specific time.

Please leave:

• Current microchip details
• A recent photograph
• Information about usual hiding places
• Details of neighbours your cat visits
• Instructions for a missing cat
• Details of any tracker or collar
• A working indoor litter tray

Kittens

Kittens normally require more frequent care and supervision than healthy adult cats.

They may need:

• Several meals
• Twice-daily or more frequent visits
• More litter-tray cleaning
• Supervised play
• Closer monitoring
• A carefully kitten-proofed environment
• Checks for damage or hazards
• More human company

Very young kittens may not be suitable for ordinary once-daily holiday visits.

Depending on their age and routine, overnight care, house sitting or another arrangement may be more suitable.

Read about Kitten Sitting and Feeding Visits in Finchley

Senior cats

Older cats often benefit from a quieter and more predictable routine.

They may need:

• Medication
• More frequent meals
• Easier access to water
• Lower-sided litter trays
• Help with grooming
• Warmer resting areas
• Additional observation
• Twice-daily visits
• More time to move and settle
• Veterinary diets

Please tell me about:

• Arthritis
• Reduced mobility
• Kidney disease
• Hyperthyroidism
• Diabetes
• Changes in sight or hearing
• Confusion
• Toileting changes
• Appetite changes
• Increased drinking
• Medication
• Circumstances requiring veterinary help

I do not rush an older cat or insist that they move from their preferred resting place.

Read my guide to Caring for a Senior Cat

Shy, nervous and rescue cats

Some cats greet visitors immediately.

Others disappear as soon as the door opens.

A nervous cat may:

• Hide
• Freeze
• Avoid eye contact
• Refuse food while somebody is present
• Hiss
• Growl
• Swipe if approached
• Move only after the visitor has left

These behaviours are communication.

I do not judge success by how quickly I can touch or photograph a nervous cat.

During a visit, I may:

• Move slowly
• Speak quietly
• Avoid direct staring
• Prepare food without approaching
• Sit at a distance
• Leave an agreed treat nearby
• Check food, water and litter use
• Look for indirect signs of normal activity
• Allow the cat to approach when ready

There are situations where I must locate a hidden cat because of a medical, safety or emergency concern.

In ordinary circumstances, however, I will not drag a cat from a hiding place merely to prove that they are present.

Read about Choosing a Calm Pet Sitter for a Nervous Cat

Multi-cat households

Multi-cat homes often have more involved routines.

Please explain:

• Whether the cats get along
• Whether any cats must eat separately
• Which cat uses each medication
• Whether one cat steals food
• Where litter trays are located
• Whether any rooms must remain closed
• Which cats go outside
• Where each cat normally sleeps
• Signs of conflict
• Whether any cat hides from another

I can care for several cats from the same household.

There is no automatic per-cat surcharge.

Additional visit time may be required where there are:

• Several feeding areas
• Different diets
• Multiple litter trays
• Several medications
• Cats who must remain separated
• More involved cleaning
• A lengthy routine

Additional time costs:

• 15 minutes: £6
• 30 minutes: £12

Any additional charge will be discussed before the booking is confirmed.

Medication support

I may be able to provide straightforward medication support where:

• It has been discussed before booking
• Written instructions are provided
• The medication is clearly labelled
• The prescribed dose is clear
• The method is within my experience
• Your cat accepts the procedure safely

This may include certain:

• Tablets given in food
• Oral liquid medication
• Topical preparations
• Prescribed ear or eye treatments
• Routine supplements

Please provide:

• The medication name
• The correct dose
• Administration times
• Original packaging where possible
• Written instructions
• Known side effects
• What to do if a dose is refused
• What to do if your cat vomits
• Your veterinary practice details
• Enough medication for a delayed return

Do not crush or alter tablets unless your veterinary practice has confirmed that this is safe.

International Cat Care recommends checking with your vet before changing how a medication is given and contacting the veterinary team if administration causes difficulty or distress.

Read International Cat Care guidance on giving medication to cats

I do not:

• Diagnose illness
• Prescribe treatment
• Change a prescribed dose
• Decide when an unprescribed medicine should be used
• Automatically repeat a partly swallowed dose
• Use restraint that I consider unsafe
• Provide procedures outside my competence

A trial visit may be required before I accept medication support.

More complex medical care may require a veterinary professional or another appropriately experienced carer.

Photographs and updates

I normally provide an update so you know how your cat is doing.

This may include:

• A photograph
• A short video
• Confirmation of food eaten
• Litter-tray observations
• Medication confirmation
• Information about behaviour
• Anything unusual
• A brief home update

I will not force a frightened cat to pose.

Sometimes the most useful update is that:

• Food has been eaten
• Water has been used
• The litter tray appears normal
• The cat has moved between known hiding places
• The home is secure
• Nothing concerning has been observed

A confident cat may follow me around and appear in every photograph.

A shy cat may not.

Both can still receive appropriate care.

Simple household tasks

A few basic household tasks may be included where they take only a short time and do not reduce the care available for your cat.

These may include:

• Bringing in post
• Moving a small delivery indoors
• Managing one household bin
• Opening or closing agreed curtains
• Switching agreed lights on or off
• Watering a few suitable indoor plants
• Carrying out a simple visual check

Pet care always comes first.

More involved tasks may require additional visit time.

I do not provide:

• Professional security inspections
• Property management
• Domestic cleaning
• Gardening
• Repairs
• Maintenance
• Management of contractors
• Guaranteed plant care

Read about Pet Care Add-ons and Holiday Home Help

Cameras and recording equipment

Please disclose every active camera or recording device before the booking begins.

This includes:

• Video doorbells
• Outdoor security cameras
• Indoor pet cameras
• Baby monitors
• Smart displays
• Audio-recording systems
• Cameras that can move or be activated remotely

Disclosed security and pet cameras are normally straightforward.

Secret recording damages trust and may affect whether I can continue with the booking.

Please tell me:

• Where each device is located
• Whether it records sound
• Whether footage is stored
• Whether it is viewed live
• Who has access
• Whether it can be moved remotely

Full details are available in my Welcome Pack and Policies and Professional Standards.

Keys and access

Reliable access is essential.

Before you travel, please check that:

• The key opens the correct door
• It has been tested from outside
• Locks and gates have been explained
• Alarm instructions are accurate
• Key-safe details are correct
• Smart locks are working
• I know about anybody else entering the home
• A backup access plan exists where appropriate

Do not leave an untested key immediately before you travel.

Where a key safe is used, check that:

• It opens reliably
• The code is correct
• The key fits inside
• The mechanism works
• It is accessible

Please tell me if cleaners, relatives, neighbours or tradespeople will enter during the booking.

I cannot take responsibility for the actions or security practices of other people who have access.

Emergency arrangements

Before care begins, I will normally need:

• Your veterinary practice details
• Your preferred emergency veterinary provider
• Your contact details while away
• A local emergency contact
• Relevant medical history
• Medication details
• Pet-insurance information
• Permission relating to emergency treatment
• Veterinary payment arrangements
• Instructions if your return is delayed

Your emergency contact should ideally:

• Remain in the local area
• Not be travelling with you
• Know your cat
• Be able to reach the property
• Have access to a spare key where appropriate
• Understand that they may be contacted

Please obtain their permission before giving me their details.

What happens if your cat becomes unwell?

I will not attempt to diagnose your cat.

If something concerns me, I will:

1. Check the immediate situation.
2. Contact you where reasonably possible.
3. Follow the emergency instructions you have provided.
4. Contact your veterinary practice or emergency provider where necessary.
5. Contact your local emergency person where appropriate.
6. Prioritise your cat’s welfare where urgent action is needed.

Signs that may require prompt action include:

• Failure to eat
• Repeated vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse
• Significant injury
• Marked lethargy
• Repeated straining in the litter tray
• An apparent inability to urinate
• Seizures
• Sudden weakness
• A significant change from normal behaviour

You remain responsible for veterinary fees and related costs.

The meet-and-greet

A meet-and-greet is normally required for a new client.

This takes place in your home so I can:

• Meet you and your cats
• Understand their normal routine
• Discuss feeding
• See water and litter arrangements
• Review medication
• Discuss outdoor access
• Learn about hiding places
• Check keys and security
• Discuss cameras
• Review emergency arrangements
• Identify potential hazards
• Agree the number and timing of visits

Your cat does not need to greet me.

A successful meeting may mean that I learn where your cat normally hides, how the routine works and how to care for them without adding pressure.

A meet-and-greet does not automatically guarantee that I will accept the booking.

I may decline where:

• Care falls outside my competence
• Medication cannot be given safely
• Access is unreliable
• The proposed visit frequency is unsuitable
• Important information has not been disclosed
• The property is outside my practical service area
• The routine cannot be completed properly within the available time

What should you leave for your cat sitter?

Please leave:

• Enough food
• Extra food for a possible delay
• Enough litter
• Waste bags
• Cleaning supplies
• Clearly labelled medication
• Written care instructions
• Veterinary information
• Emergency contact details
• Carrier instructions
• A recent photograph
• Key and alarm details
• Information about cameras
• Details of anybody else entering
• Your travel and return information

Do not assume that a feeding routine, appliance or door system will be obvious.

Write it down and demonstrate anything unusual during the meet-and-greet.

Read What to Leave for Your Cat Sitter

Cat-sitting prices

One visit: £15

A standard visit may include feeding, water, litter care, companionship, enrichment, agreed medication, welfare observations and an update.

Two visits in one day: £25

The £25 price is the total charge for two standard visits on the same day.

Additional time

Where a routine needs longer:

• Additional 15 minutes: £6
• Additional 30 minutes: £12

Additional time may be appropriate for:

• Several cats
• Different diets
• Multiple litter trays
• More involved medication
• Extensive cleaning
• Longer companionship
• Additional agreed household tasks

Any additional charge will be agreed before booking.

View the complete pet-care price list.

Cat visits or overnight house sitting?

Daily visits suit many cats.

However, overnight house sitting may be more appropriate where:

• Your cat needs more human company
• Several pets live in the home
• Dogs are also present
• Medication or health needs require closer support
• Your cat is very young
• Your cat is elderly or frail
• The household routine is particularly involved
• You want someone staying in the property overnight
• Visits alone would not provide sufficient care

House sitting includes overnight presence and a broader household routine.

Read about House Sitting and Overnight Pet Care

Areas covered

Cat-sitting visits are mainly available in:

• North Finchley, N12
• Finchley Central, N3
• East Finchley, N2
• Muswell Hill, N10
• Selected nearby parts of North London

Availability in Whetstone, Highgate, Friern Barnet and other nearby areas depends on the dates, visit frequency and my existing local route.

Please send me your postcode so I can confirm whether I can help.

Check the complete Finchley Dog Walker service area

Availability and booking

Cat-sitting dates can become busy during:

• School holidays
• Bank holidays
• Easter
• Summer
• Christmas
• New Year
• Popular travel weekends

Please enquire as soon as you know your dates.

To check availability, send:

• Your name
• Your postcode
• Your travel dates
• The number and ages of your cats
• Whether you need one or two visits each day
• Feeding information
• Medication details
• Indoor or outdoor access
• Any nervousness or handling concerns
• Other pets in the household

An enquiry does not automatically reserve the dates.

The booking is confirmed only after I have accepted the arrangement, received the necessary information and confirmed it with you.

Check how pet-care availability works.

Why choose Finchley Dog Walker?

Although the business is called Finchley Dog Walker, cats have always formed an important part of my work.

Before establishing the business, I spent 18 years working in an office where I also helped care for resident cats, including Devon Rex, Siamese and Sphynx cats.

Since starting Finchley Dog Walker in 2011, I have cared for:

• Confident cats
• Shy and nervous cats
• Rescue cats
• Indoor cats
• Outdoor cats
• Kittens
• Senior cats
• Cats receiving medication
• Multi-cat households
• Homes containing cats, dogs and small animals

I am:

• Fully insured
• Enhanced DBS checked through my Scouting role
• Experienced with nervous and rescue pets
• Committed to calm, low-pressure handling
• Focused on one household at a time

There are no rotating carers.

You know that it is me, Del, entering your home and following the routine we have agreed.

Read more about Del

Frequently asked questions

How much does cat sitting cost?

One visit costs £15.

Two standard visits on the same day cost £25 in total.

Additional time can be added where the routine needs longer.

How often should my cat be visited?

Every cat should receive an appropriate visit every day.

Some healthy adult cats may be suitable for one visit daily. Kittens, senior cats, sociable cats, cats needing medication and those with more involved routines may need two visits.

Will you visit every other day?

No.

I do not offer every-other-day visits as a normal holiday cat-care arrangement.

Too many things can change or go wrong during 48 hours without a physical welfare check.

Can you care for more than one cat?

Yes.

There is no automatic charge for each additional cat, although additional visit time may be needed for a more involved routine.

Can you administer medication?

Straightforward medication support may be possible where it has been discussed in advance and can be given safely.

Complex or invasive care may require a veterinary professional or another appropriately experienced carer.

What happens if my cat hides?

I do not force a hiding cat to interact.

I follow the agreed routine and look for signs that they are eating, drinking, toileting and moving around normally.

I will locate them where a medical, safety or emergency concern makes this necessary.

Will you send photographs?

I normally provide an update and photograph where appropriate.

I will not pull a frightened cat from a hiding place merely to create a picture.

Can you care for an outdoor cat?

Possibly.

We must discuss normal outdoor access, cat-flap arrangements, curfews, local risks and what should happen if the cat does not return.

Can you clean litter trays?

Yes.

Please leave enough familiar litter, waste bags, a scoop and suitable cleaning supplies.

Can you care for kittens?

Yes, depending on their age and needs.

Kittens normally require more frequent care than healthy adult cats. Very young kittens may need an alternative arrangement.

Can you care for a senior cat?

Yes, where their routine and medical needs fall within my competence.

Twice-daily visits or house sitting may be more appropriate for some older cats.

Can you water plants and bring in post?

A reasonable number of small agreed tasks may be included where they do not reduce the time available for your cat.

More involved tasks may require additional booked time.

Do I need to disclose cameras?

Yes.

All active cameras and audio-recording devices must be disclosed before the booking.

Do I need a meet-and-greet?

Yes, a suitable meet-and-greet is normally required for a new client.

Can an automatic feeder replace a cat sitter?

No.

An automatic feeder may provide an additional meal, but it cannot check your cat, refresh all water sources, clean litter trays, recognise illness, deal with an accident or secure the home.

Read Can Automatic Feeders and Pet Cameras Replace a Cat Sitter?

Can my cat be left alone overnight?

Many cats remain at home overnight between professional visits.

However, they still need appropriate daily checks, and visits alone may not suit kittens, elderly cats, medically vulnerable cats or cats needing more companionship.

Read Leaving Cats Alone Overnight

Useful cat-care guides

Continue with:

• Cat Care Advice Hub
• How Often Should a Cat Sitter Visit?
• What to Leave for Your Cat Sitter
• Why Cats Often Prefer Staying at Home
• Leaving Cats Alone Overnight
• Summer Cat-Sitting Checklist

Looking for a cat sitter in Finchley?

Your cat can remain in the home they know while receiving regular feeding, fresh water, litter care, companionship and welfare checks.

Send me:

• Your postcode
• Your travel dates
• The number of cats
• Whether you need one or two visits daily
• A little about their routine
• Medication or health information
• Whether they are indoor or outdoor cats

I will tell you honestly whether I cover your location and whether the proposed arrangement is suitable.

Contact Del about cat sitting

WhatsApp: 07707 763344

Email: info@finchleydogwalker.co.uk

View cat-sitting prices

Explore the Cat Care Advice Hub

Important information

I provide routine cat care, medication support within my competence and general welfare observations.

I am not a veterinary surgeon and do not diagnose illness, prescribe treatment, alter medication or replace veterinary care.

Cats with medical conditions or significant changes in eating, drinking, toileting, movement or behaviour should receive advice from their veterinary practice.

All bookings are subject to location, availability, safe access, appropriate visit frequency, complete care instructions and my assessment that the required care can be provided safely.

Read my Policies and Professional Standards