Living as an expat in Singapore often means a lifestyle of movement: family trips abroad, work travel, or even quick weekend escapes. But if you’ve got a cat at home, you know the challenge: how do you manage reliable, low-stress care while you're away?
Cats are creatures of territory and routine. That means uprooting them, even briefly, can be deeply unsettling.
“For cats, security comes from familiarity. Travelling owners must consider not just who cares for the cat, but where.”
— International Cat Care (iCatCare)
Here’s how many expat cat parents in Singapore approach the challenge and why in-home cat sitting is becoming the preferred option.
The Travel Dilemma
Most expats travel more than the average local resident. A 2023 survey by HSBC Expat Explorer found that 79% of Singapore-based expats travel internationally at least 3 times a year.
That’s a lot of time away from home—and from pets.
Add in irregular schedules and time zone differences, and it becomes harder to rely on casual neighbours or pet-loving friends.
“We used to ask a friend to drop in, but the inconsistency was stressful. Now we book the same sitter every time.”
— Claire M., British expat in Tiong Bahru
Boarding vs Home Care
Some expats start with pet hotels or boarding facilities—but quickly learn that cats often don’t adjust well.
Common issues include:
- Reduced appetite or toileting problems
- Hiding or vocalising from stress
- Risk of illness from exposure to other animals
Cats associate safety with their environment, not their carrier or a hotel.
That’s why in-home sitting is so valued: it lets cats remain in their own space, with their own smells and routines.
“We tried boarding once—our cat didn’t eat for two days. Now we only do at-home visits.”
— Lars N., German expat in Bukit Timah
What Expats Prioritise in a Sitter
From our experience at Club Lumo, expat clients look for:
- Clear communication – Updates that bridge time zones and ease anxiety
- Flexibility – The ability to accommodate sudden work trips or flight delays
- Trustworthiness – Someone reliable, insured, and ideally recommended
- Consistency – Sitters who learn the cat’s preferences and personality over time
The In-Home Advantage
In-home cat sitting gives your pet:
- Their regular food, litter, sleeping and play space
- Quiet, uninterrupted routines
- Interaction from someone who understands feline body language and stress signals
And it gives you:
- Daily updates with photos and reports
- Peace of mind that someone is checking the home
- No transportation stress before or after the trip
“It’s such a relief to land and know the house is fine, the cat is fine, and I don’t have to make a detour to a kennel.”
— Tanya S., Australian expat in Orchard
🐾 At Club Lumo
Many of our clients are expats juggling travel with care for a beloved cat. That’s why we offer:
- Custom sitter matching based on personality & logistics
- Backup plans in case of changes or emergencies
- Options to water plants, check mail, and keep the home feeling ‘lived in’
Because being away shouldn’t mean worrying about what’s happening at home.
Final Thought
Cats don’t need constant attention but they do need the right kind. If you're an expat in Singapore planning your next trip, an in-home sitter can keep both your feline and your focus calm.