Do you have trouble finding a reliable pet sitter?
Having a pet should not mean you are not allowed to travel for longer periods!
This is where having a reliable pet sitter comes into play, even if sometimes it can be a challenge to find someone that you are truly going to trust around your pet.
Obviously, your pets are going to love you most and will prefer your company over someone else’s, but in the long run, there are going to be moments when you will not be able to be there, and they will need to be in someone else’s care.
It can be easy to ask a friend to take care of them, but that can end up becoming a burden, and having someone who knows how to take care of them in the event of an emergency is always preferred.
Pet sitters have exploded in popularity lately since they are cheaper than having to pay for a pet hotel when you are out of town.
Not to mention, they offer an array of services, and with some of them, you will not have to stress out your pet by taking them outside of the environment they know and love, aka their home!
It’s less stressful for us as owners too since they will be with someone we know we can trust, who follows certain rules, and with whom your cat or dog will be safe.
If you want to start looking for a pet sitter but do not know where to start, we have your back!
We brought you the most important things to know and follow when you are searching so that you can find the best match for you along with some useful questions to ask them.
Don’t worry; after reading this article, you’re going to have no issues finding a pet sitter! Let’s get into it!
Location
One of the most important things to think about is whether you want someone to come over to your home or if you’re willing to bring your pet to their place.
The location is sometimes dependent on the type of pet you have and their temperament, but also on your comfort levels and situation.
If you have more than one pet, other owners advise that you have the pet sitter come to your place.
However, if you have an anxious pet, you should avoid leaving them with an unknown person in a new environment, as this will stress them even more.
In the end, it is all about personal preferences and what works best for you.
Keep in mind that if you are going to bring the pet to someone else’s home, they may not be the only pet there.
Specialty
Some pet sitters have specialized in certain types of pets, and you should always ask about this.
Some may only be able to watch cats and other types of little animals; others may only deal well with medium to small dogs, and others may prefer only large breeds!
Some may have a knack for dealing with rowdy puppies or can easily bond with the oldest and most pretentious cats out there.
In most cases, this should be mentioned in their online profile, but in case it is not, keep in mind to ask about it.
Space
Keep space in mind when you are selecting a pet sitter where you will take your pet. Their home setting should be similar to yours so as not to have your pet too stressed about the environment.
This does not mean that you should ask for their house layout, but rather that some amenities should be similar.
If you have a yard at home, taking your pups to an apartment may not be in their best interest, and your sitter should also have a fenced yard.
Likewise, if your cat has always been in an apartment, taking her to a house that has a yard may lead to certain complications, especially if it is the type of pet that gets curious and wants to explore.
Services
Consider what you are going to be requiring for your pup or cat.
In the case of your dog, you should also consider your dog’s personality. If they have a harder time trusting others, you should not just surprise them with a pet sitter when the time comes for you to leave on vacation.
Choose someone who offers both overnight supervision and dog-walking services and talk with the sitter so they come over a couple of times to play and walk your dog beforehand.
That way you can see how they get along when they are playing, and the dog will be familiar with the person before it is time for you to leave.
With cats, it is the same situation, even if your pet sitter will not come to stay in your home for the whole duration.
If your cat is a bit more scared of strangers, getting it accustomed to the pet sitter is crucial so that it won’t be hiding away all the time you are away and the sitter can actually play, brush, and interact with the animal while you are away.
Medical Needs
If your pet has medical needs or they are senior, you should make sure that your pet sitter is more qualified.
There are sitters who are veterinary technicians, actual veterinarians, or some who have pet first aid training, and these would be the ones that would be a better fit for you if your pet has any sort of medical needs.
Be it that your pet needs to take pills during the time you are away or they need to get some injections, getting a pet sitter that has medical knowledge and can help them no matter what happens on a medical front is going to be helpful.
Not only that, but you are also going to be more calm and less stressed about the well-being of your furry friend in this scenario!
Communication
This is something you should never forget about. You should be able to have good communication with your pet sitter so that you can have peace of mind and know your pet is having fun and is healthy.
You should discuss this with them up front, whether or not you want daily updates on your pet and if you want photos and videos of them. While some pet sitters will do this by default, it may be something you need to discuss with others.
Establish upfront good communication so that you can both be on the same page and have a smooth collaboration!
Other important questions to ask!
The ones above are just some things to consider, and they are just the most important; however, there are other questions you may want to ask before you sign the deal and hire your new pet sitter.
Here are just a couple of the questions that we think are also important to ask or to clarify if they do not come naturally in the discussion:
1. If you’re taking your pet over to the pet sitter’s house, ask where the pet will be sleeping. If your pet is used to sleeping in a crate, then make sure the same rules will apply. If not, discuss how things will go to ensure things will go smoothly.
2. Is your pet going to be the only one(s) there? It is better to know beforehand if they are going to be taking care of multiple pets at the same time if you take your pet over, in case they are anxious or do not fare well with other pets. This could be a dealbreaker for some pet owners.
3. Ask about the feeding schedule and discuss your pet’s schedule with the sitter. You want to keep the same routine for your pets so they do not get stressed even more while you are gone.
4. Will there be any kids around? If your pet does not fare well with children, you need to communicate this and discuss things with your sitter.
5. Will the sitter’s schedule work with your pet’s schedule? While sitters will do everything they can to accommodate your pet and you, you should try to find a sitter that mimics what your pet is used to.
If you’re at home all the time, you are better off with a sitter that can do the same. Likewise, if you’re not around, get a sitter who also has a job so that they won’t always be present around the pet.
6. What if an emergency arises? This is important on many levels. If something happens to the pet, you need to plan ahead how things will go, even down to the worst-case scenario, so you’re prepared.
What happens if the pet falls ill? Can the sitter take them to the vet that generally treats them? What will the sitter do if they cannot reach you? What happens if you have an emergency and have to extend the pet’s stay with the sitter?
All of these and more are important to discuss, and any sitter who does not feel a need to discuss these with you is probably not one you should go for.
Remember! These are just the basics. You can make your own questions and personalize everything for your pet. Just use these as a guide, and you’re halfway there!
If your pet can get really anxious, you should try to help them calm down by using hemp oil. Vets around the country swear by it, and we have found this one useful! Check with your vet before giving your dogs any sort of medication!
Sometimes you want to be able to befriend any cat out there, but it is hard to win a feline’s heart! If you want to be able to have them purring into your lap in no time, learn to become a cat whisperer here!
