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 your cat can stay somewhere they already feel comfortable: their own home.

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

Instead of moving your cat to unfamiliar surroundings, I visit them at home and follow their normal routine as closely as possible.

Visits can include:

• feeding
• fresh drinking water
• litter-tray care
• quiet companionship
• play and enrichment where wanted
• straightforward medication support where agreed
• general welfare observations
• photographs and updates

Some cats meet me at the door.

Others watch from the stairs, disappear under the bed or wait until I have left before eating.

That is fine.

I do not force interaction or pull a nervous cat out of hiding simply to get a photograph. I work at your cat’s pace and allow them to decide how much contact they want.

I have provided professional pet care in Finchley since 2011, caring for one household at a time.

Check cat-sitting availability

View current prices

Cat sitting at a glance

How to book

First step
An enquiry followed by a meet-and-greet for new clients

Having several cats does not automatically mean a separate charge for each cat.

Additional time may be needed when several feeding routines, litter trays, medications, or other tasks cannot be comfortably completed during a standard visit.

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

Why many cats are happier staying at home

Cats can become strongly attached to familiar territory.

Their home contains the smells, sounds, sleeping places, hiding spots, feeding areas and routines they already understand.

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

Home cat sitting allows your cat to remain in familiar surroundings while still receiving regular care and welfare checks.

This can be particularly useful for:

• shy or nervous cats
• rescue cats
• indoor cats
• senior cats
• cats who dislike travelling
• cats who become stressed by carriers
• multi-cat households
• cats following established medication routines
• homes containing cats alongside other pets

A good cattery can be the right choice for some cats, so I do not believe there is one answer that suits every animal.

Cats Protection also explains that staying at home can be one of the least unsettling holiday-care options for many cats.

Read the independent guidance from Cats Protection about caring for your cat while you are away.

You can also read my guide:

Is Cat Sitting Better Than a Cattery?

What happens during a cat-sitting visit?

Every visit is based around the routine we agree before you leave.

A typical visit may include:

• preparing your cat’s usual food
• refreshing drinking water
• cleaning litter trays
• checking whether eating and toileting appear normal
• straightforward medication support where agreed
• quiet companionship
• play where your cat wants it
• familiar enrichment
• basic grooming if your cat enjoys it
• checking agreed doors, windows and cat flaps
• bringing in post
• managing agreed lights or curtains
• sending an update and photograph where appropriate

I do not arrive with a plan to entertain every cat.

A sociable cat may want play, brushing and company.

Another may be happier if I prepare their food, clean the litter tray, sit quietly for a few minutes and then leave them alone.

Both approaches can be appropriate.

I also avoid introducing unfamiliar food, treats, litter or equipment while you are away unless there is a good reason and we have discussed it.

Keeping things predictable often matters more than trying to make every visit exciting.

One visit or two visits each day?

The right number of visits depends on your individual cat, their routine and their health.

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

Too much can change during 48 hours without somebody physically checking your cat.

One visit a day

A single daily visit may sometimes be suitable for a healthy adult cat with a straightforward routine, no medication and reliable food, water and litter arrangements.

We will discuss whether this is appropriate before I accept the booking.

Two visits a day

For many cats, morning and evening visits allow their routine to remain much closer to normal.

I am particularly likely to recommend two visits for:

• kittens
• senior cats
• cats receiving medication
• cats with health concerns
• very sociable cats
• indoor-only cats needing more interaction
• cats accustomed to morning and evening meals
• outdoor cats with established access routines
• multi-cat households
• cats needing closer observation

Cats Protection recommends that holiday cat sitters visit at least twice daily, with younger, older and medically vulnerable cats potentially requiring more frequent care.

Read more in my guide:

How Often Should a Cat Sitter Visit?

Care tailored to your cat

Indoor cats

Indoor cats depend on their home environment for exercise, exploration, climbing, scratching and opportunities to make choices.

If your cat enjoys interaction, a visit may include supervised play, a food search, brushing or another familiar enrichment activity.

I do not leave string, ribbon or fishing-rod toys unattended.

For more ideas, read:

How to Keep an Indoor Cat Happy, Active and Mentally Stimulated

Outdoor cats

Outdoor access needs to be discussed before your booking.

We will agree arrangements around cat flaps, normal return times, feeding, traffic, weather and what should happen if your cat does not appear when expected.

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

Please make sure their microchip information is current and leave me a recent photograph and clear instructions about anything unusual in their routine.

Shy, nervous and rescue cats

This is an area where taking things slowly really matters.

A nervous cat may hide, avoid eye contact, hiss, freeze or refuse to eat while an unfamiliar person is present.

I do not judge a successful visit by whether I managed to stroke your cat.

I may simply:

• move slowly
• speak quietly
• avoid approaching their hiding place
• prepare their food
• clean the litter tray
• check food, water and toileting
• sit at a comfortable distance
• let them approach if and when they are ready

There are times when I must locate a hidden cat because of a medical or safety concern.

In normal circumstances, however, I will not drag a frightened cat out simply to prove that I have seen them.

Senior cats

Older cats may need a little more time and observation.

Their routine might include:

• medication
• more frequent meals
• easier access to water
• lower-sided litter trays
• quieter companionship
• gentle grooming
• warm resting places
• twice-daily visits

Please tell me about any diagnosed medical conditions, mobility changes or recent changes in eating, drinking, toileting or behaviour.

If your cat has complex medical needs, we can discuss whether ordinary visits are appropriate or whether another form of care would be safer.

Multi-cat households

I am happy to care for several cats from the same household.

There is no automatic charge for each additional cat.

What matters is whether I can complete the routine properly during the booked time.

Extra time may be needed where cats have:

• different diets
• separate feeding areas
• several litter trays
• different medications
• individual access arrangements
• rooms that must remain separated
• more complicated cleaning routines

Any additional time will be agreed before your booking.

Medication and welfare

I may be able to provide straightforward medication support where it has been discussed beforehand and I can provide it safely.

Depending on the individual cat and medication, this might include certain:

• tablets given with food
• oral liquid medication
• topical preparations
• prescribed eye or ear treatments
• routine supplements

Please provide clear written instructions and correctly labelled medication.

I do not diagnose illness, prescribe treatment, alter a veterinary dose or provide procedures outside my competence.

A trial visit may sometimes be sensible where medication is involved.

If your cat needs specialist or invasive medical care, a veterinary professional or another appropriately experienced carer may be more suitable.

If I notice a significant change in your cat’s health or behaviour while you are away, I will follow the emergency arrangements agreed with you and seek veterinary help where necessary.

Photographs and updates

I normally send an update so you know how things are going.

That might include:

• a photograph
• a short video
• confirmation that food has been eaten
• litter-tray observations
• medication confirmation
• behaviour notes
• anything unusual I have noticed

A confident cat may appear in every photograph.

A frightened cat may appear in none.

I will not deliberately distress your cat in order to produce a more impressive WhatsApp update.

Sometimes knowing that they have eaten, used the litter tray and moved between their normal hiding places tells us far more.

Meet-and-greet before your first booking

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

This takes place in your home.

It gives me a chance to understand:

• your cat’s normal routine
• feeding arrangements
• food and water locations
• litter trays
• medication
• outdoor access
• favourite hiding places
• keys and alarms
• emergency arrangements
• cameras or recording equipment
• anything your cat dislikes or finds worrying

Your cat does not have to come and introduce themselves.

For a nervous cat, knowing where they tend to hide and how I can complete their routine without pressuring them may be more useful than trying to force an introduction.

Before going away, I also recommend reading:

What to Leave for Your Cat Sitter

and my:

Finchley Dog Walker Welcome Pack

Cat visits or overnight house sitting?

Daily cat visits work very well for many cats.

For others, overnight care may be more appropriate.

You may want to consider house sitting where:

• your cat needs considerably more human company
• several different pets live in your home
• dogs are also present
• your cat is very young
• your cat is elderly or frail
• medication or health needs require closer support
• the household routine is particularly involved
• you would prefer somebody staying in your property overnight

House sitting provides overnight presence and a broader home-care routine.

Read about:

House Sitting and Overnight Pet Care

Cat-sitting areas

My main cat-sitting areas are:

• North Finchley, N12
• Finchley Central, N3
• East Finchley, N2
• Muswell Hill, N10

Selected nearby addresses may also be possible depending on:

• your postcode
• the dates
• whether you require one or two visits
• medication timings
• the length of each visit
• my existing local bookings

A more distant address might be practical for overnight house sitting but not for two daily cat visits.

Whetstone and Highgate are primarily part of my wider house-sitting area rather than my normal daily cat-visit route.

Please send me your postcode, and I will tell you whether I can realistically help.

Check the Finchley Dog Walker service area

Why choose Finchley Dog Walker for your cat?

Despite the business name, cats have always been an important part of my work.

Before starting Finchley Dog Walker, I spent 18 years working in an office where I also helped care for the resident cats.

Since establishing Finchley Dog Walker in 2011, I have looked after confident, shy, rescue, indoor, outdoor, senior, and kitten cats, as well as multi-cat households.

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

Most importantly, there are no rotating carers.

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

Read more about Del

Cat-sitting prices

Prices are per household rather than per cat automatically.

Additional time may be needed where a routine involves several different feeding areas, litter trays, medications or other agreed tasks.

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

View all current pet-care prices

Frequently asked questions

How much does cat sitting in Finchley cost?

One standard cat-sitting visit costs £15.

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

Additional time can be booked for more involved routines.

How often should my cat be visited?

I offer one or two visits a day depending on the individual cat and the care required.

Many cats benefit from morning and evening visits.

Kittens, senior cats, cats receiving medication and cats with more involved routines generally need closer attention.

Will you visit my cat every other day?

No.

I do not normally accept every-other-day holiday cat-care arrangements.

Food, water, toileting, illness, injury or household problems can change considerably during 48 hours without somebody physically checking your cat.

Can you care for more than one cat?

Yes.

I do not automatically charge separately for each cat.

Extra time may be needed if your household has several diets, litter trays, medications or separation arrangements.

Can you give my cat medication?

Straightforward medication support may be possible if we discuss it beforehand and I can provide it safely.

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

What happens if my cat hides?

That is not a problem.

I will not force a nervous cat to interact.

I can monitor food, water, litter use and other signs of normal activity while giving your cat the space they need.

I will locate them if there is a medical, safety or emergency reason to do so.

Do you send photographs?

Normally, yes.

I send photographs and updates where appropriate, but I will not pull a nervous cat from their hiding place to create one.

Can an automatic feeder or pet camera replace a cat sitter?

They can be useful additional tools, but they cannot provide a complete welfare visit.

A camera cannot refresh water, clean a litter tray, investigate vomit, notice many subtle health changes or take your cat to the vet if something goes wrong.

Read:

Can Automatic Feeders and Pet Cameras Replace a Cat Sitter?

Useful cat-care guides

If you are planning a holiday or simply want to understand your cat a little better, continue with:

Cat Care Advice Hub

How Often Should a Cat Sitter Visit?

What to Leave for Your Cat Sitter

Is Cat Sitting Better Than a Cattery?

Leaving Cats Alone Overnight

How to Keep Cats Cool in Summer

How to Keep an Indoor Cat Happy

Looking for a cat sitter in Finchley?

If you are going away, your cat may not need to leave the home they already know.

I provide calm, individual cat-sitting visits built around your cat’s normal routine.

To check availability, send me:

• your postcode
• your travel dates
• the number and ages of your cats
• whether you need one or two visits each day
• whether they are indoor or outdoor cats
• any medication or important health information
• anything I should know about nervousness or handling

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

WhatsApp: 07707 763344

Email: info@finchleydogwalker.co.uk

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 or alter veterinary medication.

If your cat has a medical condition or develops a significant change in eating, drinking, toileting, movement or behaviour, veterinary advice may be required.

All bookings are subject to location, availability, safe access, suitable visit frequency, complete care information and my assessment that I can provide the required care safely.

Read my Policies and Professional Standards