I just started a 10 day sit. I feel gaslit. The “new” litter boxes and the bedroom in which one is kept, is stinking up most of the house. They dont smell that? Why did I not get a heads up from a previous sitter review? This is a first after 40+ housesits where I actually threw up in my throat. They have this expensive pellet-filled type (3) that “only needs the under pad changed every 4-5 days, the pellets once monthly.” They keep the house closed. So when they leave, I am opening up the windows. I’ve probed with questions even being kindly direct about the smell. I’ve used AI for convo prompts since it’s a delicate topic. And, tgey have tonzzzz of candles that might be worsening it all.
Is this malodorous environment reportable? Thoughts? Thanks for your help!
People get used to their own smells, it’s like smokers houses. Is the airing out helping? I can’t imagine trying to sleep or cook and eat if it’s that bad.
If by ‘reportable’ you mean officially filing some sort of member dispute, I guess technically anything is. But I think that is really meant for more serious ‘transgressions.’
If you mean more about leaving the sit early, and using this as a justifiable reason, then yes I think it would qualify if you truly feel the home is uninhabitable due to the smell and the host has cannot, or is not, willing to do anything that would rectify it.
Also, if by ‘reporting’ you are wondering if THS would intervene directly somehow, I imagine it is more likely they would encourage you to discuss your concerns with the host.
It sounds like you have reached out about it, but it is not clear if they have responded–you mention feeling ‘gaslit’ so perhaps that is in reference to something they said in response to your complaints about it.
No one can force you to stay so leaving is always an option, but if that is something you don’t want to do, or feel you cannot do for financial or any other reason, then the only thing to really do is tough it out and review accordingly.
If there is anything specific you want from them to help with the situation, you should ask–perhaps you already have.
And if they are unwilling to do those things, or you feel uncomfortable asking in the first place, you would either need to take steps on your own if you feel there is anything you can do, such as buying specific cleaning products for example, or live with the smell.
Sorry about that and good luck with whatever you decide to do!
I am slo very sensitive to smells. I turned down a paid sit after a meet and greet because of the smell from the litter box. She did rescue so had several cats at a time. If you are going to be uncomfortable on that sit and are able to leave that may be the best option. Otherwise open all windows and see if that helps.
They cannot believe I smell the urine… “Really?! You shouldn’t!!” Was their response.
They agreed to my request for them to clean (replace pee pads…?) before their departure.
Maybe I’ll burn my fave incense a cpl minutes. #nagchampa
I had a repeat sit for a single cat, no odors the first time, but the smell was overwhelming on my second visit. After a quick visit to the vet, it was determined the cat had become diabetic. The owner hadn’t noticed the odor, but the weather was nice before she left so she would have had doors and windows open
With your prompting I asked a bit about their vet visits. The cats haven’t had one in a few years but the dogs annually. It’s a touchy subject, isn’t it? It’s my business but it’s not…?
This is “such a long strange trip”… it’s been haha
I’m just here to lend support. I have a super sensitive sense of smell. I am a professional pet sitter with my own solo business of almost 25 years and have been on THS with almost 20 sits under my belt. I use pellet litter for my current kitty, as the rescue I adopted her from raved about it. She has been with me for several years now and has a hard time with any changes in routine. I keep her litter box in my bedroom as that’s where I kept her while she adapted to me and her new home. Until last week, I loved the pellet litter for its lack of smell and ease of clean-up. No heavy, stinky clumps to haul out! But just this week I’m smelling a nasty pee smell. She doesn’t seem at all ill, but I may try to get her to the vet to double check no UTI, which can present as extra-smelly urine. It’s just funny that you posted this right when I’m dealing with a sudden horrible odor for the first time! It’s very possible that like me, until now your hosts haven’t noticed a smell because there wasn’t any. If I were you, I would suggest they get the cat(s) checked out at the vet to make sure they’re not dealing with a UTI. Other than that, I would probably just put up with the stench when you need to be near the litter box and otherwise spend your time elsewhere in the house. I’m doing a week-long overnight pet sitting job locally, but when I return home to sleep I will try to pin down where the horrible smell is coming from, in case my cat peed somewhere outside the litter box for the first time ever. Best of luck to you!
Agreed, my situation was not awkward because the cat owner is an old friend. I don’t know that a solution would have happened so quickly or that the owner wouldn’t assume I was over-reacting on a regular sit.
How many cats in this home? Am curious. We avoid sits with more than 2 cats bc I fear this very thing. Am always stunned when I see sits with 4 or 5 or more cats (indoor) that get sitters! Good for them but wow…Can’t imagine.
I sat a cat with the pellet litter and pee pads and was amazed at how easy it was and zero smell! I’ve promoted it ever since sitting there. It was, hands down, the most odor-free cat sit we’ve done out of 18 cat sits. (It was only one cat, however)
That’s where you lost me.