What to Look for in a Pet Sitter

Leaving your furry friend behind sometimes causes stress and anxiety on your part. Worrying about whether or not she’s taken care of can ruin any vacation or time away. So rather than spend any more time concerned about it, do what’s best for you—and your pet—and hire a pet sitter.

Pet sitters do a lot more than just keep your pet’s food bowls filled. They also provide exercise, attention, and love. You’ll find boundless benefits when it comes to hiring one of these professionals. These include your pet getting to stay in the environment she knows best while maintaining her daily schedule. Not only does your pet reap the benefits, but you do, too. No more asking friends, family, or neighbors to pet sit. Instead, you’ll have the help of a trusted professional.

But how do you know when you’ve found the right one? Here’s how to choose the best in-home pet sitter.

Experience with handling pets

Being able to handle your pet and her needs should be a chief requirement when looking at pet sitters. If your pet needs medications like shots or pills, a professional should be able to administer these without a problem. Or perhaps your dog just likes someone to sit with him while he eats dinner—or has a favorite walk around the block that he likes to take in the morning. A professional dog sitter will treat your dog the same as you do when you’re home and all schedules can remain the same. Maybe your cat stresses when you leave and refuses to eat. A pet professional understands these needs and will have tricks up their sleeves to help. Whatever your pet needs, the pet sitter will know what to do.

Experience with basic animal behavior

Not only will an experienced pet sitter be able to handle your pet, but they will also have a greater understanding of basic animal behavior than the neighbor’s son you may have used in the past. While out on walks or in the dog park, it’s not only your pet that the sitter needs to be aware of, but also the other animals in the vicinity. An experienced pet sitter will recognize signs of fear and anxiety in a dog—both yours and others—and can prevent an unfortunate incident before it even starts.

Prepared for anything

Certified pet sitters will know what to do in an emergency. And if you’re not sure, give a potential sitter a hypothetical scenario to walk through: Ask them what they would do if your pet stops breathing, and see if you like their solution. A professional sitter will also have the name of your veterinarian in your file—and also know the nearest emergency clinic to call should this unexpected need arise.

Communication

Regular updates while you’re gone will make you feel more comfortable. Some pet sitters record notes throughout the day with details about an animal’s activities, eating, and moods, while others will send owners pictures and texts to show happy and healthy pets during the day. Just let your sitter know how you’d like to receive communication and they’ll be happy to let you know how your pet is doing.

Services and fees

Understand everything involved in the day to day of your pet sitter. In-home pet-care services come in many shapes, sizes, and prices. Know what the fees include, such as grooming, walking, overnight care, and how many visits in a day. Maybe you’d prefer someone who can also water your plants, check the mailbox, and clean up any accidents.

It might be hard to find a pet sitter that suits you and your furry friend’s needs. However, once you find the right one, your pet will be well taken care of when you need it the most—not to mention the peace of mind you’ll get knowing that love still surrounds your best friend even when you’re not there. If you’d like to learn more about the pet sitters at Trusty Tails, contact us today.