I have done many sits, yet this is the first time I have seen such obvious, clear and simple instructions for feeding - just written right on the packet.
What you guys think?
2 Likes
I’ve had a host who stuck such directions on Post-It notes on canisters. Helpful. Also handy when hosts make a one-pager for the day’s pet routines. I usually make one for myself.
I can remember only one sit where the food came in small bags like yours (also a cat). Usually, they’re in giant bags, so they’ve had to separate out some food from the main bag.
Of course, some folks use auto-feeders, so no need. But I worry that auto feeders or auto litter boxes will become jammed and I’ll be left to fix what might be a pain.
I had one sit where the owner had put the required amount of food for each meal into individual poo bags for the two weeks of my stay.
I simply emptied it into the feeding bowl then put the poo bag in my pocket for the next walk…
4 Likes
I had one sit where the cats were on dry only automatic feeders AND a water fountain, so there was literally no feeding or changing the water the entire sit. Just litter, keeping the home tidy, and making sure there were no disasters.
As a host, however, I’ll admit I wish my feeding instructions were less complicated. However, with a multiple cat home juggling different needs it just isn’t that simple. Nobody wants to have complex instructions that they themselves have to follow, sometimes it can’t be helped. Each of my cats is “healthy” but 2 are on different special diets owing to conditions, and one is picky and will probably be on a kidney diet at some point in the future. They all have to separated when they eat. This is just the way it is.
I had a cat sit once that was fully automated - auto feeder, water fountain, litter robot. Best sit ever!
1 Like
I had one with those, plus robo-vacuum. Those cats were living large on dried minnows as treats, with glorious high-rise views. Plenty of toys and perches, too. I want to be reincarnated as such cats. 
2 Likes
I had the robo vacuum too LOL. The home was absolutely stunning as well.
1 Like
I am a fan of the robo vacuum. I’ll get one in my place once I have one.
1 Like
We had simpler than that at our last sit, it was brilliant, a simple big plastic cereal box with the dry food in with a scoop inside, and a simple label with “level scoop AM”, “raised scoop PM” or words to that affect, I forget the details as soon as I move on to the next sit. So simple, no looking for markers, perfect!
1 Like
We have this in one sit in Turkey 
- by his own admission he’s a little OCD but it’s sooooo useful especially with 4 pups! Measurement cups and everything. #gottaloveanorganisedho 
1 Like
I think this is supposed to be humorous? 
It’s fine to mark the bags with the cats’ names, but instructions should be written out clearly on paper.
If the instructions are not very clear, I get a sheet of paper and write it out clearly for myself—
AM: Do A, B, and C.
PM: Do X, Y, and Z.
It is easy to send a photo of instructions to the Owner for review. And I leave the instructions on the counter so that the Owner can use them for the next Sitter!
No, it’s not supposed to be humorous. I was impressed with the incredibly simple and practical method of writing the details on the relevant bag of food - pet’s name, how much to feed in the morning, lunch and evening.
The instructions were also written on the house notes, on paper, but for me it is much simpler just to see it right there on the bag.
4 Likes
I guess some people don’t like to read instructions!
I would have to study the Hill’s cup measure. I guess it is marked in ml or grams? 20, 25, 30?
I imagine an in-person handoff. Then the notes on the bag would just be a reminder. Most feedings are pretty simple. Even with cats I had to weigh food or stagger courses for, nothing was that complicated. (The staggering was to avoid barfing with one big meal.)
1 Like
Measurements to the T are my thing too. We use a scale and clear one page instructions of amounts and times to feed our dog. And post it’s on the treats with limits per day. Maybe we are a little OCD too but with the air dried food we feed him, we have to be careful not to overfeed.
2 Likes