Kitten Sitting and Feeding in Finchley

Calm, practical care for your kitten at home

A kitten is not simply a smaller adult cat.

Kittens are curious, active and often surprisingly good at reaching places you thought were inaccessible.

They may also need:

• More frequent meals
• More regular litter checks
• Closer supervision
• Safe play
• Calm companionship
• Help following their normal routine
• More frequent visits than an adult cat

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

Your kitten remains in their familiar home with their usual:

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

Visits may include feeding, fresh water, litter care, safe play, gentle companionship, general welfare observations and straightforward medication support where appropriate.

I have provided professional pet care since 2011 and look after 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.

Contact Del about kitten sitting

View current kitten-care prices

Kitten sitting at a glance

Service detail	Information
One standard visit	£15
Two standard visits in one day	£25
Additional 15 minutes	£6
Additional 30 minutes	£12
Location	Your kitten remains in their own home
Visit frequency	Based on age, feeding, health and how long the kitten will be alone
Care may include	Feeding, water, litter care, play, companionship and welfare checks
Medication	Straightforward support may be possible by prior agreement
Updates	Photographs and messages where appropriate
Main areas	Finchley, Muswell Hill and selected nearby areas
First step	Initial discussion and meet-and-greet
Hand-rearing	Not provided

The standard £15 and £25 prices apply to ordinary kitten home visits.

Very young kittens or kittens needing several visits, prolonged supervision or specialist care may require a different arrangement.

What is a kitten-sitting visit?

A kitten-sitting visit means I come to your home at an agreed time and follow your kitten’s normal care routine.

Depending on their age and needs, a visit may include:

• Preparing their usual food
• Refreshing drinking water
• Cleaning the litter tray
• Cleaning a small accident
• Calm interactive play
• Offering appropriate enrichment
• Checking their sleeping and hiding areas
• Checking the room for obvious hazards
• Straightforward medication support
• Observing their movement and behaviour
• Sending a photograph and update
• Settling the kitten before I leave

The visit is adjusted to the individual kitten.

One kitten may want to play as soon as I arrive.

Another may watch me from behind a chair before deciding whether to come closer.

Both responses are normal.

I do not force a kitten to be held, photographed or encouraged into continuous play.

Why kittens can need more care than adult cats

Kittens are still developing physically, socially and emotionally.

Compared with a healthy adult cat, they may:

• Eat smaller meals more frequently
• Need closer observation
• Get into unsafe spaces
• Become tangled in unsuitable toys
• Spill water
• Have litter-tray accidents
• Chew or swallow small objects
• Need more human contact
• Become overtired or overexcited
• Show signs of illness more quickly

The younger the kitten, the less suitable it is to assume that one brief daily visit will provide enough care.

The correct arrangement depends on:

• Age
• Whether the kitten is fully weaned
• Feeding schedule
• Health
• Medication
• Whether another cat is present
• How long you will be away
• How well the home has been kitten-proofed
• Whether someone else is sharing the care
• How the kitten normally responds when alone

I will ask about these details before accepting the booking.

How often should a kitten sitter visit?

There is no single schedule suitable for every kitten.

One visit each day

One daily visit may only be considered for an older, healthy kitten where:

• The feeding routine allows it
• Another suitable carer is also attending
• The kitten is not being left for an excessive period
• Water and litter arrangements are reliable
• There are no significant health concerns
• The home is secure and properly kitten-proofed

One brief daily visit is unlikely to be appropriate for many young kittens if nobody else is providing care.

Two visits each day

Two visits cost £25 in total for the day.

Twice-daily care may suit an older kitten who needs:

• Morning and evening meals
• Fresh water
• Litter care
• Play and company
• Regular physical welfare checks
• Medication at agreed times
• A more familiar daily pattern

More frequent support

A younger kitten may need more than two visits or an arrangement involving:

• A household member
• A trusted friend or relative
• Longer visits
• Overnight house sitting
• A veterinary professional
• A specialist kitten carer

I will not recommend an insufficient visit schedule simply to secure the booking.

Tell me your kitten’s age, feeding routine and how long you expect them to be alone.

I will tell you honestly whether I believe ordinary home visits are suitable.

Kittens I do not provide routine visits for

I do not provide hand-rearing or neonatal kitten care.

This includes kittens who:

• Have not been weaned
• Need bottle feeding every few hours
• Need stimulation to urinate or defecate
• Cannot regulate their body temperature
• Have been rejected by their mother
• Require round-the-clock monitoring
• Are medically unstable
• Need veterinary or veterinary-nursing care

Newborn and hand-reared kittens need an intensive feeding, hygiene, warmth and monitoring routine throughout the day and night.

This is outside the scope of my ordinary home-visit service.

Contact your veterinary practice or an appropriately experienced rescue or neonatal kitten carer if this level of support is required.

Read Cats Protection guidance on hand-rearing kittens

Feeding your kitten

Kittens may require smaller, more frequent meals than adult cats.

Please leave clear written instructions covering:

• The food your kitten normally eats
• Portion sizes
• Feeding times
• Where the food is stored
• Whether food should be refrigerated
• Whether it should be warmed
• Treat allowances
• Allergies
• Veterinary diets
• Supplements
• What to do if food is refused

Please leave enough food for the complete booking and additional supplies in case your return is delayed.

I will not introduce a new food or change the feeding routine while you are away unless there is an urgent reason and this has been discussed with you or your veterinary practice.

Cats Protection explains that kitten feeding needs change considerably during early development and that young kittens require an appropriate kitten diet and feeding routine.

Read Cats Protection guidance on kitten care and feeding

Multi-kitten and multi-cat feeding

Please tell me if:

• More than one kitten lives in the home
• An adult cat shares the household
• The animals eat different food
• One cat steals food
• Feeding must take place in separate rooms
• One kitten eats much more slowly
• Food must be removed after a set time
• Medication is hidden in food

Clear labelling helps prevent mistakes.

Where several feeding areas or separate routines require longer, additional visit time may be needed.

Fresh drinking water

Kittens should have reliable access to fresh drinking water.

Please show me:

• Every water-bowl location
• Whether a fountain is used
• How the fountain should be filled
• Where spare filters are kept
• Whether bowls are regularly tipped over
• Whether an additional backup bowl is needed

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

A pump can stop, a filter can block or the electricity supply can fail.

An ordinary bowl provides useful backup.

Tell me what is normal for your kitten.

A noticeable change in drinking, appetite or behaviour may need veterinary advice.

Litter-tray care

Litter trays can provide useful information about a kitten’s health and routine.

During a visit, I can:

• Remove urine and faeces
• Top up familiar litter
• Clean a small accident
• Check whether the tray appears to be used
• Report anything unusual
• Dispose of waste as agreed

Please leave:

• Enough familiar litter
• Waste bags
• A litter scoop
• Pet-safe cleaning supplies
• Paper towels
• Disposal instructions
• A spare tray where appropriate

Avoid changing the type of litter immediately before travelling.

The RSPCA recommends making changes gradually because familiar scent and texture can help a kitten continue using the tray reliably.

Read the RSPCA’s litter-tray guidance

Tell me if your kitten has recently shown:

• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Straining
• Blood
• Repeated tray visits
• Toileting outside the tray
• Crying while toileting
• A sudden change in urine output

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

Safe play

Play helps kittens practise movement, coordination, stalking and pouncing.

A visit may include:

• Wand-toy play
• Tossing a suitable lightweight toy
• A small treat search
• A food puzzle
• Chasing an appropriate toy
• Exploring a cardboard box
• Climbing an established safe cat tree
• Quiet interaction after active play

I do not use hands, fingers or feet as toys.

This can encourage biting and scratching of people as the kitten grows.

Toys that require supervision

Some toys should be put away after use, including:

• String
• Ribbon
• Wool
• Elastic
• Hair bands
• Fishing-rod toys
• Feather toys with loose parts
• Small items that could be swallowed
• Damaged toys

I will not leave an item unsupervised if I believe it creates an entanglement or swallowing risk.

Please remove damaged toys before travelling and leave enough safe alternatives.

Avoiding overstimulation

A kitten who wants to play does not necessarily need continuous high-energy activity throughout the visit.

Kittens also need:

• Sleep
• Quiet
• Rest
• Time to eat
• Time to use the litter tray
• A chance to disengage

Signs that play should pause may include:

• Tail lashing
• Flattened ears
• Frantic movement
• Biting harder
• Repeated grabbing
• Hiding
• Moving away
• Becoming unable to settle

I follow the kitten in front of me rather than trying to fill the entire visit with activity.

A calm ending can make it easier for the kitten to rest after I leave.

Kitten-proofing the home

Kittens explore by climbing, squeezing, pawing and chewing.

Before leaving them with a sitter, consider:

• Electrical wires
• Blind cords
• Open windows
• Tilt-and-turn windows
• Washing machines
• Tumble dryers
• Dishwashers
• Reclining furniture
• Toilets
• Bins
• Cleaning products
• Human medicines
• Houseplants
• Food left on surfaces
• String and ribbon
• Small toys
• Sewing equipment
• Plastic bags
• Fragile ornaments
• Open fireplaces
• Gaps behind appliances
• Unstable furniture

Please check rooms at kitten height rather than only from an adult’s viewpoint.

Keep potentially harmful items securely stored.

Close off rooms that the kitten does not need to access.

My separate Pet and Home Readiness Visit can help you organise the home, routine, supplies and emergency information before a kitten arrives or before you travel.

Read about the Pet and Home Readiness Visit

Windows, balconies and doors

Kittens can squeeze through small gaps and may not understand the danger of an open window or balcony.

Before travelling, check:

• Window catches
• Screens
• Balcony access
• Shared entrances
• Internal doors
• Front-door routines
• Cat flaps
• Side gates
• Tradespeople or cleaners entering
• Deliveries

Please tell me:

• Which windows may be opened
• Which doors must remain shut
• Whether a balcony is accessible
• Whether the kitten waits near the front door
• Whether another person will enter the home
• Whether the kitten has escaped previously

I will not intentionally allow an indoor kitten outside.

Indoor and outdoor access

Young kittens should not automatically be given outdoor access while their owner is away.

Outdoor arrangements depend on:

• Age
• Vaccination status
• Microchipping
• Neutering
• Familiarity with the area
• Veterinary advice
• Normal routine
• Traffic
• Local risks
• Whether the kitten reliably returns

I will not begin a new outdoor routine during a pet-sitting booking.

If your kitten has not previously used a cat flap or spent time outside independently, your holiday is not the right time to introduce it.

Follow your vet’s advice about vaccination, neutering, microchipping and safe outdoor access.

Shy or nervous kittens

Not every kitten greets an unfamiliar person enthusiastically.

A nervous kitten may:

• Hide
• Freeze
• Remain at a distance
• Refuse food while I am nearby
• Watch from a high place
• Hiss
• Move away when approached

I do not force interaction.

During the visit, I may:

• Move quietly
• Avoid direct staring
• Prepare food without approaching
• Sit at a comfortable distance
• Use a gentle toy if the kitten shows interest
• Leave an agreed treat nearby
• Check indirect signs of eating and toileting
• Allow the kitten to approach when ready

The aim is to provide care without creating unnecessary pressure.

A photograph is not more important than the kitten feeling safe.

Kittens living with adult cats

An adult cat and kitten may have different needs.

Please explain:

• Whether they are comfortable together
• Whether they eat separately
• Whether the adult cat avoids the kitten
• Whether play becomes too rough
• Whether either cat guards food
• Where each cat sleeps
• Which litter trays they use
• Whether doors should separate them during part of the day
• Signs that one cat needs space

I will follow the routine you have already established.

I will not force the cats to interact or attempt to resolve serious conflict during a routine visit.

Where there are signs of sustained tension or aggression, seek advice from your vet or an appropriately qualified feline behaviour professional.

Medication support

I may be able to provide straightforward medication support where:

• It has been discussed before booking
• Written instructions are supplied
• The medication is clearly labelled
• The prescribed dose and timing are clear
• The method is within my competence
• The kitten accepts the procedure safely

This may include certain:

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

Please provide:

• The medication name
• Prescribed dose
• Administration time
• Original packaging where possible
• Written instructions
• Known side effects
• Instructions for a refused or vomited dose
• Enough medication for a delayed return
• Your veterinary details

Do not crush, split or alter tablets unless your vet has confirmed that this is safe.

International Cat Care advises checking with a vet before changing how medication is administered because some tablets must remain whole or have particular handling requirements.

Read International Cat Care guidance on giving medication to cats

I do not:

• Diagnose illness
• Prescribe treatment
• Change a dose
• Decide whether a missed dose should be repeated
• Give human medication
• Use restraint I consider unsafe
• Provide procedures outside my experience
• Replace veterinary care

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

What happens if a kitten appears unwell?

Kittens can become unwell and deteriorate quickly.

Please explain:

• What normal eating looks like
• Normal toileting
• Normal energy levels
• Recent health concerns
• Current veterinary treatment
• When you would want your vet contacted
• Which emergency practice should be used

I will contact you or follow the agreed emergency plan if I notice concerns such as:

• Refusing food
• Repeated vomiting
• Significant diarrhoea
• Breathing difficulty
• Collapse
• Marked weakness
• Severe lethargy
• Repeated straining
• An apparent inability to urinate
• Significant injury
• Seizures
• A substantial change in normal behaviour

I will not attempt to diagnose the cause.

Where urgent veterinary care appears necessary, the kitten’s welfare takes priority.

You remain responsible for veterinary and related costs.

Photographs and updates

I normally send an update following a visit.

This may include:

• A photograph
• Confirmation of food eaten
• Litter information
• Play and behaviour
• Medication confirmation
• Anything unusual
• A brief home update

A confident kitten may appear in every photograph.

A shy kitten may not.

I will not pull a kitten out from beneath furniture or disturb them simply to create a picture.

Indirect information can also be useful, including:

• Food has been eaten
• Water has been used
• The litter tray is normal
• Toys have moved
• The kitten has changed sleeping locations
• Nothing concerning has been observed

Cameras and recording equipment

Please disclose all active cameras or recording devices before the booking begins.

This includes:

• Video doorbells
• Indoor pet cameras
• Baby monitors
• Smart displays
• Audio-recording systems
• Remotely controlled cameras

Please tell me:

• Where each device is located
• Whether it records sound
• Whether footage is stored
• Who can view it
• Whether it can be moved remotely

Disclosed pet cameras are normally straightforward.

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

Read my Welcome Pack

Keys and home access

Reliable access is essential.

Before travelling, please confirm that:

• The key opens the correct door
• It has been tested from outside
• Alarm instructions are accurate
• Key-safe details are correct
• Smart locks are working
• Shared-entrance arrangements are clear
• I know about anybody else entering
• A backup access plan exists where appropriate

Do not leave an untested key immediately before you travel.

Please tell me if family members, neighbours, cleaners, tradespeople or another sitter will also enter the home.

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

Meet-and-greet process

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

This allows me to:

• Meet you and your kitten
• Learn their feeding routine
• See food and water locations
• Review litter arrangements
• Discuss play and enrichment
• Check access
• Discuss medication
• Learn hiding places
• Identify hazards
• Discuss other cats
• Review cameras
• Discuss emergency arrangements
• Agree visit frequency

Your kitten does not need to approach me.

The purpose is to understand the routine and decide whether the proposed arrangement is suitable.

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

I may decline where:

• The kitten is too young for the proposed visit schedule
• Hand-rearing is required
• The kitten is medically unstable
• Safe access cannot be arranged
• Medication falls outside my experience
• The home presents unresolved hazards
• The routine cannot be completed in the booked time
• The property is outside my practical service area

What should you leave for the kitten sitter?

Please leave:

• Enough kitten food
• Additional food for a possible delay
• Fresh litter
• Waste bags
• A litter scoop
• Cleaning supplies
• Safe toys
• Clearly labelled medication
• Written instructions
• Veterinary information
• Emergency contact details
• An accessible cat carrier
• A recent photograph
• Key and alarm information
• Camera details
• Information about anybody else entering
• Your travel and return details

Do not assume that appliances, feeding routines or door systems will be obvious.

Demonstrate anything unusual during the meet-and-greet and include it in the written instructions.

Kitten-sitting prices

One standard visit: £15

A standard visit may include:

• Feeding
• Fresh water
• Litter care
• Calm play
• Enrichment
• Companionship
• General welfare observations
• An update

Two standard visits in one day: £25

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

Additional time

Where the routine requires longer:

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

Additional time may be appropriate for:

• Several kittens
• Several cats
• Different diets
• Multiple litter trays
• More involved medication
• Longer play or companionship
• Additional cleaning
• Separate feeding routines

Any additional cost will be agreed before booking.

View the complete pet-care price list

Kitten visits or house sitting?

Timed visits may suit an older kitten with an appropriate routine.

House sitting may be more suitable where:

• The kitten needs more frequent human presence
• Several pets live in the home
• A dog is also present
• Medication requires closer support
• The kitten is particularly young
• The kitten cannot cope with longer periods alone
• The household routine is more involved
• You want someone staying overnight

House sitting includes overnight presence and a broader household routine.

Read about House Sitting and Overnight Pet Care

Areas covered

Kitten-sitting visits are mainly available in:

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

Coverage depends on:

• Your postcode
• Required visit frequency
• Visit times
• Travel time
• My existing local route

Please send your postcode when enquiring.

Check the Finchley Dog Walker service area

Availability and booking

Kitten-sitting dates can become busy during:

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

Please enquire as soon as you know your dates.

Include:

• Your postcode
• Travel dates
• Kitten’s age
• Number of kittens
• Other cats or pets in the home
• Feeding schedule
• Proposed visit frequency
• Medication
• Health information
• How long the kitten will be alone
• Whether another person is sharing the care
• Any nervousness or handling concerns

An enquiry does not automatically reserve the dates.

The booking is confirmed only when I have accepted the arrangement and confirmed it with you.

Check how pet-care availability works

Frequently asked questions

How much does kitten sitting cost?

One standard visit costs £15.

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

Additional time can be added where necessary.

How many visits does my kitten need?

That depends on age, feeding, health, routine and how long the kitten will be alone.

Many young kittens need more support than one daily visit.

Is one visit a day enough for a kitten?

It may not be.

One visit is unlikely to be sufficient for many young kittens where nobody else is providing care.

Tell me the kitten’s age and full routine so I can assess whether the proposed arrangement appears suitable.

Will you visit every other day?

No.

I do not offer every-other-day care for kittens.

Can you feed my kitten while I am at work?

Yes, subject to location and availability.

A visit can include feeding, water, litter care, safe play and an update.

Can you bottle-feed a newborn kitten?

No.

I do not provide hand-rearing or neonatal kitten care.

Can you look after an unweaned kitten?

No.

Unweaned kittens require specialist, frequent care throughout the day and night.

Will you play with my kitten?

Yes, where the kitten wants to engage.

I use safe, age-appropriate play and put away toys that present an entanglement or swallowing risk.

Can you give medication?

Straightforward medication support may be possible where it has been agreed beforehand and can be given safely.

Complex care may require a veterinary professional.

Can you care for two kittens?

Yes.

There is no automatic charge per kitten, although additional time may be needed for several animals or a more involved routine.

Can you care for a kitten and an adult cat together?

Yes, where their feeding, litter and household routine can be managed safely.

Will you let my kitten outside?

I will follow an established and agreed routine where appropriate.

I will not begin outdoor access for an indoor or inexperienced kitten while you are away.

Will you send photographs?

I normally send an update and photograph where appropriate.

I will not force a frightened kitten to pose.

Can you stay overnight?

Overnight care is available through the separate House Sitting service, subject to availability.

Do I need a meet-and-greet?

Yes.

A suitable initial meeting is normally required for a new client.

Do you also care for adult cats?

Yes.

Adult cat care is covered by my main Cat Sitting service.

Read about Cat Sitting in Finchley

Related kitten and cat-care guides

Continue with:

• Cat Sitting in Finchley
• Cat Care Advice Hub
• How Often Should a Cat Sitter Visit?
• What to Leave for Your Cat Sitter
• Leaving Cats Alone Overnight
• Indoor Enrichment for Cats While You Are Away
• Keeping Cats Cool in Hot Weather
• Choosing the Best Cat Food
• Can Cats Get Lonely?
• Why Cats Often Prefer Staying at Home
• Pet and Home Readiness Visit
• Dog and Cat Care Guides Hub

Looking for kitten sitting in Finchley?

Tell me:

• Your postcode
• Your kitten’s age
• Your dates
• Their feeding schedule
• How long they will be alone
• How many visits you think you need
• Whether anybody else will share the care
• Other cats or pets in the home
• Medication or health concerns

You do not need to design the perfect care plan before contacting me.

Give me the details, and I will tell you honestly whether ordinary kitten visits, longer visits, shared care or overnight house sitting appears most appropriate.

Contact Del about kitten sitting

WhatsApp: 07707 763344

Email: info@finchleydogwalker.co.uk

View kitten-sitting prices

Check current availability

Important information

I provide routine kitten care, agreed 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.

I do not provide hand-rearing, neonatal kitten care or round-the-clock medical supervision.

Young kittens can require frequent feeding and close monitoring. Contact your veterinary practice if you have concerns about your kitten’s age, development, feeding, vaccination, health or suitability for being left.

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

Read my Policies and Professional Standards