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Most people love to spend time with their pets, but it's not always possible to take them everywhere. When it's time for a vacation or an extended period away from home, a pet sitter can be a big help. Finding the right person to care for a pet gives owners flexibility while keeping their furry family members comfortable. Check out this guide to working with a pet sitter to learn how to have a great experience.
Preparing To Work With a Pet Sitter
Leaving a pet with someone else can be nerve-wracking, but there are ways to make the process easier. It just takes a bit of research and planning.
Research Your Pet Sitter Options
To begin, you'll want to make sure you hire a qualified pet sitter. Research their background to check that there are no red flags. If available, check out reviews and comments from other clients who have worked with that pet sitter. When working with an agency or company that offers pet sitting services, ask how they vet their pet sitters.
Have a Meeting
Once you have a few candidates in mind, arrange meetings with them and bring your pet along. This gives you a chance to see how your dog or cat reacts to this new person, and how the pet sitter handles your animal. It's also an opportunity for you to ask more questions about the candidate's experience and services.
Set Expectations and Guidelines
When you are ready to hire a pet sitter, talk with them about your expectations for their service. Provide your sitter with detailed instructions about feeding, medications, and exercise requirements. You may want to write it all down and prepare a list to make sure nothing is missed.
This is also a time to decide on a communication plan. Would you like text message updates about your pet or photos? If you have a camera in your home to monitor your pet, let the sitter know as well so they are aware.
Emergency Preparedness
Before you leave, create an emergency plan for the pet sitter to follow. This should include your veterinarian's contact info as well as the location of the nearest emergency vet. Your plan should also account for paying for emergency expenses since your pet sitter may not be able to pay for a big vet bill and wait for reimbursement.
Prepare Your Household
Keeping a pet at home while you're away can be more comfortable for them, but it also means you need to prepare your home for the pet sitter to come into your space. Tidy up and lock private areas. It's a good idea to organize all of your pet's items in one or two spaces so they're easy to find. Stock up on food, treats, and any other supplies that may be needed.
By starting with these steps, you can find a pet sitter and build a relationship with them, making it easier to leave your pet at home when you need to.
Supplies for Pet Sitting Sessions
To make the pet-sitting experience even better, you can get a few simple supplies that offer a lot of convenience. Consider grabbing some of these items for your pet and pet sitter.
1. Pet Storage Tower
To get organized before leaving your dog or cat, get this storage tower that can hold all of their items in one place. You can store dry food, treats, toys, towels, and more in one place. There are two storage bins that have secure lids so it's simple to sort everything. Hooks on the side are perfect for hanging leashes and harnesses.
2. Feed Scoops
If you don't already have a clearly marked food scoop for your pet's kibble, now is the time to get one. When working with a pet sitter, you don't want them to have to guess which scoop or spoon to use for each pet or type of food. Measured scoops also help control the amount of food served, an important consideration if your pet is on a restricted diet.
Distinctive collars can be a big help to pet sitters, especially when they are still getting to know your pets. If you have multiple dogs or cats who look similar, get them different collars so the pet sitter can easily distinguish them. When a pet sitter takes your dog to a park or play area, a bright or unique collar will also help them find your pet in a crowd.
Don't forget to stock up on basics for your pet such as waste bags. Make it easy for your pet sitter to take your dog on fun walks by having a fresh supply of waste bags ready. Place them next to your dog's leash or harness so all of the walking supplies are in one place.
Your pet and the new sitter will need to bond, and what's a better bonding aid than treats? Leave some of your pet's favorite treats on hand (with guidance on how often treats are allowed) to help build trust between your pet and their temporary guardian.
Let a Pet Sitter Be Your Backup
While it would be fun to bring your pet on all of your adventures, it's not always an option. In those moments, a pet sitter can be the perfect partner to make sure your pet is safe and happy. With a bit of planning and the right supplies, you can build a great relationship.
