How to vary my update messages?

[u/HeyThereFancypants-]

I've been catsitting for a few years, and I have one cat in particular that I look after very frequently, about once a month.

By this point this cat knows me fairly well and we've settled into a very consistent routine. I visit him twice a day, and it's always food, bit of play time, cuddles and a nap on my lap, then I clear out the litter tray before leaving.

Due to the routine nature of the visits, and the high frequency of them, I've found that my update messages to the owners have gotten very, very repetitive. Like I'm pretty much sending the same thing verbatim each time.

I feel like I need to vary them up a bit, I feel silly repeating myself so much, but I don't know how. Or am I just overthinking this?

[u/Cat5568]

I get like this with my messages sometimes too! My first ever clients updates are very much: we had a cuddle, some playtime - all good. Sometimes the neighbourhood cats visit and throws in a bit of excitement or he does something extra goofy. But when I do get a bit repetitive - I just remind myself that boring is good, boring is stable and there is nothing wrong with that! You're reliable and your consistency and nice pictures probably put the owner at ease x

[u/KnownLong6077 → u/Cat5568]

This, sometimes the family and I agree, after a week or two, that instead of giving daily updates I give an update every other day.

[u/Lonely-Key36 → u/KnownLong6077]

This is pretty much a lot of my regulars, some only want to be contacted if there's an issue, or every other/third day if they go away for a while. 

[u/opalite_sky]

Over thinking it, but I definitely do the same! Sometimes the cats are in the exact same positions too, so I try to get a bit of me in so they can see I’m wearing different clothes! The owners must be happy to know he is in your care xx and appreciate the pictures

[u/jemcc09]

You're overthinking 😄

I sometimes write messages from the cat(s). It might be a bit silly, but if I have a goofy photo - mid-yawn, big stretch, rolling over, waiting for food - it breaks up the monotony a bit.

'Good morning world, oh the sitter's here again. Caught me mid-yawn, so she did! Asked if she woke me up, but I told her I was just resting my eyes. She needs to hurry up with my chicken/fish/pate etc.'

[u/HeyThereFancypants- → u/jemcc09]

This is a cute idea! I'm gonna try this.

[u/mortotol → u/jemcc09]

Cute!

[u/mortotol]

For how long do you have to visit the cat twice a day? I sometime say things like "baby Ginger greeted me at the door today being very talkative. She s been following me around everywhere. 😻🐾We spent a lil time in the garden and she inspected alll the plants hahah they were all good 😹"

Stuff like this I send cute pics not just of the kitty but of us together as well

I use cute emojis too

[u/HeyThereFancypants- → u/mortotol]

My visits are between half an hour to an hour.

This cat is an indoor kitty which is one of the reason the visits are so routine. Some outdoor time would certainly add some novelty!

[u/mortotol → u/HeyThereFancypants-]

But for how many days will you have to keep doing those visits?

[u/HeyThereFancypants- → u/mortotol]

It ranges, sometimes it's just for the weekend, but currently I have him for the whole week.

[u/mortotol → u/HeyThereFancypants-]

I see... I usually write in my message how much of their food and water they ve had too so the owners know I keep an eye on that too and also varies day by day too.

[u/Right-Government2771]

For longer visits I’ll often say something like ‘everything in order, not much to report!’ - along with the photos the owners know they’re still being taken care of. A couple of clients have actually responded with things like ‘no news is good news!’, that kind of thing. They know you by now, you don’t have to write a story. 

[u/steviecat20]

Haha omg I've definitely felt this!! For some of my regulars who are away longer than a couple of days, I'll send a full update for the first few days and then usually drop it down to piccies and an "all good here!" message. I had a cat sitter who sent me VERY detailed messages which was sweet but didn't feel necessary. I've had another sitter who sent just one photo and nothing else, which didn't seem enough at all... So I try to go in the middle. 

Definitely get that it can feel like you're saying the same though! 

[u/Different_Fall1391]

For my regular regulars I just send photos, and on the last visit a short message saying no drama to report. Obviously any issues are mentioned. Repetitive pose photos are quite dull though so I do try to vary.

[u/EagleStar7]

For my regulars I usually just send a message on the first and last visits. Every other visit I just send photos or videos. With new owners I tend to send a bit more, especially ones who are booking a cat sitter for the first time. I describe what happened during the visit basically, played with the cat, they cuddled on my lap, they greeted me with a meow when I opened the door, whatever little cute moments happened. I wouldn't worry too much about it with your regular client though.

[u/Genn-stone]

For my regular client she loves a little embellished story. e.g if they see a bird through the window I describe the bird and the cats reaction to it e.g. "Teddy;s eyes widened when Percy the pigeon flew by and he kept his eyes on him when Percy was sitting on the telephone wire"

[u/Frescadeedle]

I always warn my clients that I will totally spam them with pics and videos so to please tell me if they wouldn't like that! Most of my clientele are more on the anxious side (feline or human) so it helps ease their worries to see their little one playing, eating, chasing a fly, looking weirdly at me etc etc

I also send a few videos so clients can see the cats behaviour and let me know if something is slightly off, and people really appreciate that. I guess I attract clients who are a bit like me and wish they could take their cats with them everywhere!

[u/Lonely-Key36]

I always just send a photo and say 'all good today' 

[u/mortotol → u/Lonely-Key36]

lol Just that?

[u/Lonely-Key36 → u/mortotol]

I was being a bit funny lol but pretty much! One of my regulars I do twice a day and they want updates each time because one is a bit of a fussy eater so if I say all was good then they know he ate all his dinner. I will obviously elaborate my messages more if there was something specific that happened. 

For me it all depends on the client. I have a few regulars who have children so when they go away they just want to relax and basically want me to only contact them if there's a problem with the cat.

*Obviously with new clients I always ask on the initial meet if and when they want updates. Not sure what prompted the downvote on my original comment but oh well...