Are you planning a vacation, work travel, or extended time away from your home, and you do not know what to do with your pets in the interim? Travel pet care planning can be one of the biggest time commitments before your departure, but if you work with a pet sitter, you can make the process simpler. Sitters come directly to your home and keep your pet on their familiar schedule, which reduces stress for everyone involved.
However, preparing for a pet sitter is an essential stage of the process. From providing instructions for routines to setting out emergency contacts, the effort you put into preparation can support a more positive and organized pet-sitting experience for everyone involved. Here are some professional pet sitter tips as you prepare for your travels.
Key Takeaways
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Why Preparation Matters for Your Pet (and Pet Sitter)
You could hire a pet sitter, tell them when to show up, and leave your instructions at that. However, doing so reduces the quality of care your pet may receive. Preparation matters for both your pet and their sitter. By spending some time in advance, you can communicate with your sitter more effectively, keep your pet safe, and improve the care they receive.
For instance, taking the time to write down meal instructions helps your sitter stick to your pet’s preferred schedule and food. This communication can help your pet stay more comfortable (less hungry) and safer (they will not be eating things they should not).
How to Prepare for a Pet Sitter: Your Pet Sitting Checklist
As you prepare for a pet sitter, it can be helpful to have a checklist of the elements you should plan for in advance. The most efficient home preparation for a pet sitter will vary based on the household, but here are some helpful places to start:
Determine your routine
Pets need routine, and sticking to their usual schedule will help to reduce stress and confusion while you are gone. Jot down your animal’s usual daily habits so your sitter can understand how their visits fit into the overarching scheme. Pet routine management during of your travels keeps things organized and leaves your pet feeling secure.
Leave feeding instructions
One of the most important pet care instructions you can leave for your sitter is about your pet’s food. How often do they eat? How much? Which food? How should they be fed (e.g., a slow-feeder bowl, a typical bowl, etc.)? Providing this information equips your sitter with the basics necessary to make a plan.
Choose emergency contacts
While you hope your sitter never needs to use it, you should place emergency pet information in an easily accessible place. If you have your pet’s microchip number or other valuable details, include those, but be sure to add the contact information for your preferred vet, an after-hours vet (if yours does not offer emergency services), and at least one other person who can answer calls if you are not available.
Educate on medications
Not all pets take medications, but those who do will need to stick to their regular schedule. Write down dosage, frequency, and how the pet responds best (e.g., wrapping a pill in cheese). Be sure to note what to do if the pet fails to take their medicine, such as if they spit it out half-chewed. The most qualified pet sitters have experience giving medications and caring for special needs.
Plan for home access
Your pet sitter will need to access your home in order to attend to your pet, so plan this detail ahead of time. This means determining which door(s) they enter through, how they lock the home, whether they leave lights on, and more. It is best to communicate this with the sitter directly, as well as to leave notes for their reference.
Rely on Stress-Free Pet Sitting While You Are Away
While you will likely miss your pet while you are away, a trustworthy pet sitter can put your mind at ease. By investing some time in preparation before your departure, you can set both your sitter and your pet up for success.
Contact Paw Pals to schedule a meet-and-greet with a sitter you can trust, so you can begin planning before your trip!
