If you are planning a vacation or business trip and cannot take your beloved pets along, make sure to prepare your pet sitter. As a pet owner, you want to leave them with everything they could need to care for your four-legged family members while you’re away.
When Marion and I started pet and home-sitting several years ago, we still remember one of our first assignments. It involved two Basset Hounds. Every morning, we would pull a chair up to their food bowls, sit, and wait. One sniff, raised heads, and sad eyes, but no eating!
We WhatsApped our client. Her response was, “Oh yes, sorry, I forgot to tell you, they always have a tablespoon of plain, unsweetened yogurt mixed into their breakfast!”
All that wasted time and worry, and these pups were just waiting for us to give them yogurt! To help your pet sitter do the best job possible, provide them with a checklist before you leave. This list should include:
- Name, telephone number, physical address, and opening times of your vet. Let your vet know you will be away and the name of your pet sitter.
- Type/brand of food, quantity, and feeding times.
- If your sitter needs to purchase more food, let them know where to buy it—whether at a store, pet shop, or vet.
- Are your pets allowed treats? If so, tell your sitter what treats, when, and in what quantity.
- If any of your pets are on medication, show your pet sitter how to administer it. Specify dosage, timing, and method.
- Confirm both indoor and outdoor activities and sleeping arrangements.
- Explain your pet’s sleeping habits. Where and when do they sleep?
- If you have dogs that need walking, show your sitter where, how long, and how often to walk them.
In conclusion, as a pet owner, it’s important to provide detailed information to ensure your pets are well cared for. This simple step offers peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your time away without worry.