Most indoor-cat escapes don't happen because a cat runs off. They happen because a door was open a beat too long, and curiosity did the rest. For a sitter who's never met your cat, that risk is higher — they don't yet have the instinct to check before they step through a doorway.
The short answer
Brief your sitter on entry technique, secure the exits, and give them a plan for if it happens anyway. Most of this is about habits, not equipment.
Entry and exit technique
- Enter slowly and low-key, rather than walking straight in — a cat that's been waiting by the door has a head start on a fast, casual entry
- Use a body block: open the door only as far as needed and step through immediately, rather than swinging it wide
- Come in the same way you or a regular household member usually would, if possible — an unfamiliar entry point can unsettle a cat and increase door-dashing
- Don't linger in doorways — that's the highest-risk moment of any visit
Securing the house
- Confirm all windows and screens are secure before the sitter's first visit, not after
- Flag any doors that don't latch properly or screens that are less secure than they look
- Note any rooms with balcony or window access that need to stay closed
- Mention if your cat is a known "door dasher" so the sitter's on alert from visit one, not after the first close call
What to leave with your sitter
- A recent photo, for anything that needs sharing quickly
- Your cat's microchip status and registration details
- Confirmation of whether they're strictly indoor, and why (some indoor cats have outdoor access elsewhere and this can confuse a new sitter)
If it happens anyway
Professional pet sitters are trained to expect this and stay calm rather than chase — chasing tends to send a startled cat further, not back inside. The general guidance: stay calm, don't corner or chase, and try food or a familiar sound to encourage them back rather than pursuit. Have your sitter contact you immediately either way, so you can help think through likely hiding spots nearby.
Why this is worth writing down, not just saying
A rushed verbal warning at the door — "oh, and don't let her out" — is easy to forget under pressure the first time it actually matters. Having it written down, checked before the first visit rather than remembered mid-visit, is what actually prevents the problem instead of just reacting to it.
Quirks & All keeps this kind of safety detail on your pet's profile alongside everything else, so it's there before your sitter needs it, not recalled from memory in the moment.
Sources referenced for accuracy: professional pet-sitter guidance on preventing pet escapes and general advice on keeping indoor cats secure. Worth a second look from your own vet or a behaviourist before publishing.