Nobody knows all of the quirks of your beloved pet better than you do, and that can make trusting your furry friend to a new person feel stressful. However, it doesn’t have to be!
If you need a pet sitter to take care of your animal while you’re out of town or away at work, the best place to start is by finding a professional who establishes a real connection with your pet. Doing this takes some experience and a lot of job knowledge, which is why it’s important for you to do research about the pet sitter to trust before you go.
Here are some of the main ways that a trusted pet sitter in Northern Virginia can establish a connection with your furry family members so that you can confidently head out the door, knowing your best friend is in good hands.
They Learn an Animal’s Personality
A pet sitter you can trust will spend the time to get to know your animal on a personal level. Each pet is unique — some are shy, others are outgoing, and still others might have reservations about specific people, situations, or activities.
A good pet sitter will connect with your pet in the way that makes the most sense for them based on their personality. Bursting through the door with excitement works well for outgoing, social pups, but it might be frightening for an older, laid-back cat.
Your pet sitter should adjust their behavior according to what they know of your animal’s personality.
They Act with Respect
A trustworthy pet sitter understands that your animal is precious, and they should act with respect.
It might be easier to simply grab your furry friend and wrangle them into a leash for their walk, but the best sitters will respect an animal that is hesitant about this and take the time necessary to make the interaction positive.
They will give your pet space — even if that means not petting or playing with them, which is one of the most fun parts of the job. Rest assured that experts will respect your animal’s wants and needs; those who want pets will get them, and those who don’t will still be praised and loved.
They Adapt to Body Language
It takes skill and experience to interpret how a pet is feeling, and pet sitters you can trust will connect with your pet based on their body language. Both cats and dogs use their tails, ears, eyes, and general posture to indicate how they are feeling.
Your sitter will connect with your animal’s body language to interpret how to proceed with necessary interactions and when to proceed to a different strategy.
They Remember Your Guidance
As the pet owner, you have a lot more knowledge about your pet than a sitter does when they arrive for the first time. However, a trustworthy sitter will pay attention to your guidance and use it consistently to better connect with your furry friends.
Whether that means avoiding certain words or traveling a specific route on their walk, good sitters learn from owners just as much as the pets themselves.
They are Prepared for Emergencies
Anyone can claim to be a pet sitter, but only the real experts will have the education to support a high quality of care. Trustworthy pet sitters can connect with your animals not just on an emotional and social level but also through their most basic safety needs.
They will be educated in animal CPR and the proper way to give medication so that you can be confident your pet will remain healthy and secure while you’re gone.
Our trained PetTech-certified pet sitters are skilled in addressing immediate health concerns – including what constitutes an emergency and when to go to the vet.
Find a Northern Virginia Pet Sitter You Can Trust
Finding a pet sitter who cares for your animals just as well as you do can feel like a tall order, but there are professionals out there who take this role seriously.
The team at Paw Pals aims to provide the best possible care for your best friend — whether that means dog walks, visitation care, medicine administration, pet transportation, and more.
With an expert on your side who connects with your pets at their level (and yours), you can confidently head out the door knowing that your furry friends will be secure and happy until your return.
Contact Paw Pals to learn more about the wide range of pet supportive services we offer and to schedule a meet and greet so we can get to know your companion!
