I’ve seen some posts by sitters about behavioral issues that weren’t addressed in the listing, and I’m trying to find a place to do that. One of our cats is very high-energy, and when she’s in one of her hyper moods, she will beg for pets with the clear intention to nip at your hand as soon as you reach out. She also will reach out a paw with claws extended to grab at you when you’re passing by when she is feeling hyper. It’s not a huge problem for us – she has never actually bit, although she will actually grab the hand in her teeth, but we’ve had cats that do this and we know the signs she’s in this mood. But I still feel like it might be something I should put into my listing, and I can’t figure out where.
Is there a section for behavior issues that I’m just stupidly missing?
There is no section for this I’m aware of. As a sitter I would expect to read this in the “Responsibilities” section of the listing.
Thank you for being willing to disclose this to potential sitters.
Could you video the behaviour to share with potential sitters before they agree to sit for you ?
Are there warning signs before she behaves like this ?
Is she more likely to behave like this more often with strangers ( sitters ) in the house ?
I have sat a shy cat that did this the first few days that I was there, when I walked by too close. And then she would also be hissing at me. It took two weeks to become good friends.
I have seen listings that describe similar cat behavior. I would put it in the Responsibilities section, and ensure that whoever sits for you is very experienced with cats. An inexperienced sitter might get scared and leave the sit, which would be awful. Most cat people can recognize the signs that a cat is getting bored or aggressive, but dog people can misinterpret those signs. My close friend - a dog person - thought that a cat flicking its tail was a sign of friendliness until I explained that it was the opposite!
Make sure to tell sitters that the cat needs lots of play time, and avoid sitters with young children.
Oh, definitely I could video this! I don’t know that she’s more likely to do this with strangers. She’s usually on better behavior when we have houseguests, and I’m not actually sure I’ve ever seen her do this with anyone but me and my husband.
Hi @Val
As an experienced cat person I’ve seen this behaviour before. Sounds like she’s rough playing. As you say cats can nibble on a hand in play but not hurt the person.
I’d make a note of the behaviour in your listing and maybe check applicants are experienced cat people.
As others have said describe this behavior in responsibilities. Also you might want to make sure to have a call, video or voice, with potential sitters to discuss this behavior before you offer them the sit.
There is really no separate section in the listing for animal behavior, but you can put those descriptions in responsibilities. I would keep it short, not too detailed, but definately discuss it in video chats and in more detail in the welcome guide. I’m also cat parent and a cat sitter. To me this is part of normal cat behavior. But stuff like this is why I always look for sitters with cat specific experience whether as pet parents or carers.
Great posts thus far…I will add that even though our kitty is very mello and people oriented, I discuss and put in his care book that if he is napping on your lap, you cannot use your hands to get him up; you have to just stand up and he’ll jump down, otherwise he grabs onto to your arms and nips, as he does not want to be disturbed/get down.
Cats do have behaviors and its good to ask and disclose such for the benefit of all.
I’m glad to know you are addressing this in your listing.
Well done.
We have a lovebitey guy. He really doesn’t hint he’s going to do this. Only with people he loves, not usually with his new friends, and he doesn’t bite hard. I did used to warn sitters. Recently he had dental surgery so now he’s just gumming me! Less to warn about! He does drool like a lab when he’s happy. I still warn sitters about that so they don’t call to tell me out of concern he’s sick.
Mine gives clear signals. Her pupils dilate to the point they look reddish, and she romps around like a wild thing or disembowels the edge of a rug before approaching you to beg for pets, sometimes literally with her lips slightly parted.
People who have had cats will probably recognize the behavior, but a sitter NOT used to cats should be forewarned so add your comment into the posting, under Responsibilities:
“One cat is high-energy & when hyper begs for pets, reaches out a paw claws extended, to grab you when you’re passing by, sometimes grabs a hand with her teeth, but never actually bites. It’s never been a problem for us or our visitors, but want Sitters to know.”
