Everyone knows the basic information to leave for a pet sitter: Emergency contacts (Vet, preferred hospital, your cell phone/email address), a typical schedule for the pet, any allergies or injuries, etc. But what else might your sitter need to know? Below is a list of questions I’ve found myself wondering about on pet sitting jobs:
Is this an emergency?
Does your pet have any illnesses or injuries that come and go? Are they prone to ear infections? Do they have arthritis that acts up in certain weather conditions? Does mucous from seasonal allergies cause them occasional stomach upset? Even if it hasn’t happened in a while, let your sitter know. You know your pet better than anyone else, so sharing with your sitter what pet behaviors are something to make note of and keep an eye on and what pet behaviors merit a trip to the doctor will save you both from unnecessary stressed-out phone calls and frantic drives to the emergency room.
How should I clean up this mess?
Even the most well-behaved pets have accidents once in a while. Let your pet sitter know where you keep your cleaning supplies and if you have any preferences as to which product to use on which surfaces. It will be less stressful for you and your pet sitter to know that they are not ruining your nice new carpet (Even though your pet may have other ideas).
Where is the toilet paper?
It may sound silly, but I can’t count how many times I’ve found myself weighing the benefits of searching the house I’m pet sitting at for toilet paper versus just driving to a nearby Starbucks. Tell your sitter where you keep the TP, or leave a roll or two out for them. Odds are, they feel as weird about them going through your cabinets as you do.
While no one can guarantee a perfect pet sit, leaving this information for your sitter will definitely make for a less stressful sit for them, your pet, and you.
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