Are you considering an overnight pet sitter? If so, then it is important to properly prepare your pet and home before they arrive. In this guide, we provide a step-by-step guide for when you have an overnight pet sitter.
Your Overnight Pet Sitter Preparation Guide
How to Prepare Your Pet
Preparing your pet may help limit the amount of separation anxiety they experience. Here’s what to do:
- Ensure your pet has plenty of food and water available and prepare a list of instructions of how much and when to feed them.
- Ensure your pet has all medications they need (if applicable). You should also leave a list of clear instructions on how to administer the medications for the pet sitter.
- Groom your pet thoroughly. This can help them feel more comfortable and sleep better while you are gone. You can also prepare grooming instructions for the pet sitter as well.
- Prepare a comfortable place for your pet to rest. This may include collecting their favorite bed and toys and placing them in their favorite spot.
- You can also prepare a list of instructions for the pet sitter as to how to best comfort your furry loved one.
Expert tip: Your pet(s) may not be entirely comfortable with the pet sitter at first. To avoid separation anxiety and ensure they are familiar with the pet sitter beforehand, have the pet sitter take the pet for a walk or come over to play with them a few times before you leave.
How to Prepare Your Home
You should also prepare your home for your pet sitter’s arrival. This helps ensure there are no complications and your pet does not get into anything that could harm them (i.e. a pantry of which the pet sitter was not aware). The easiest tip is to simply keep your home clean and ensure everything that your pet needs is easily accessible. In particular, you should ensure the area where your pet spends most of their time is clean.
You may need to also go shopping beforehand to ensure they have all of the food and supplies they need. This may include cleaning supplies (for the pet sitter) and pet litter (if you own a cat). To ensure there are no dietary changes, you should also prepare plenty of their regular food. Lastly, you should ensure your pet sitter has full access to everything they need. This may involve providing them with keys, access codes, etc.
How to Prepare Your Pet Sitter
Lastly, you should help the pet sitter prepare before they arrive. As mentioned, one of the best ways to help the pet sitter prepare is by simply having the sitter meet with your beloved pets before they arrive. This could be a simple meet and greet, or you could request for the pet sitter to take them for a walk. It may also help to provide them with a tour of your home as well.
Additionally, written instructions are your best friend. They are a great way to tell the pet sitter everything they should know in a manner they can remember, and it can save you the hassle of answering questions while you are away. Specifically, you should provide notes and instructions about your pet’s routine, behavior, medical needs, diet, and other special needs. You can also create an emergency plan. Your pet sitter may already be trained in how to deal with pet emergencies, but reviewing a specific procedure with them can certainly help ensure everything goes well if a medical (or anxiety) emergency occurs.
Last but not least, devise a plan to communicate with your pet sitter. This should, of course, include exchanging contact information and having a talk beforehand so that both you and the pet sitter can address any concerns or ask any questions before you leave.
Need a Pet Sitter? Contact Paw Pals Pet Sitting Today
Paw Pals offers pet sitting services for residents in Centreville, VA and the surrounding cities. It is our passion to ensure your pets are comfortable and content when you travel. If you need a sitter for your furry friend while you are away and/or if you need a pet walker, then give our pet-friendly team a call to make arrangements.
