How to Prepare Your Pet and Home for a Pet Sitter

Elizabeth
6 days ago
4 min read

The Ultimate Checklist for a Stress-Free Vacation

You have booked your flights, packed your bags, and successfully hired a professional pet sitter from The Pet Nanny Company. You are almost ready for your vacation! But before you walk out the door, there is one final, crucial step: preparing your pet and your home for your sitter's arrival.

Even the most experienced, highly trained pet sitters rely on the information you leave behind. Every dog and cat has their own unique quirks, routines, and hiding spots. By taking 15 minutes to organize your instructions and pet supplies, you set your sitter up for success and guarantee your pet stays happy and comfortable while you are away.

If you are wondering exactly what to leave out and what instructions to write down, we have you covered. Here is our comprehensive checklist on how to prepare for a pet sitter.

1. Prepare the Essential Pet Supplies

When your pet sitter arrives, they should not have to dig through your cupboards to find the leash or the treats. Gather all of your pet's daily essentials and leave them in one highly visible, easily accessible location (like the kitchen counter or the entryway table).

Supply Checklist:

Food and Treats: Leave out enough food for the entire trip, plus a few extra days' worth in case your travel is delayed.
Walking Gear: Place the leash, harness, and a full roll of poop bags near the door .
Medications: If your pet takes medication, leave it out with the exact dosage instructions clearly written.
Cleaning Supplies: Accidents happen! Leave out paper towels, pet-safe carpet cleaner, and extra litter or potty pads.
Comfort Items: Leave out a few of your pet's favorite toys, as well as a t-shirt or blanket that smells like you to help reduce separation anxiety.

2. Write Down Detailed Instructions for the Pet Sitter

Never assume your sitter will intuitively know your pet's routine. Cats and dogs thrive on consistency, and maintaining their normal schedule is the best way to prevent stress while you are away.

Leave a printed document and/or filled in info through our TimetoPet app that covers the following details:

The Feeding Routine: What time do they eat? Exactly how much food do they get? (e.g., "1 level scoop of dry food, mixed with 1 spoonful of wet food"). Are there any foods they are absolutely not allowed to have?
The Potty Schedule: How often does your dog need to go out? Do they have a specific spot in the yard they prefer?
House Rules: Is your dog allowed on the couch? Do they sleep in a crate at night, or in the bed? Let your sitter know what commands your pet understands so they can enforce the same rules.
Behavioral Quirks: Does your dog bark at the mailman? Is your cat terrified of the vacuum? Does your dog resource-guard their food bowl? Sharing these behavioral quirks prevents surprises and keeps everyone safe.

3. Update Safety and Emergency Information

In the rare event of an emergency, your pet sitter needs immediate access to vital information. Do not rely solely on text messages, write this information down and leave it with your feeding instructions.

Safety Checklist:

Vet Information: Leave the name, address, and phone number of your primary veterinarian, as well as the nearest 24/7 emergency animal hospital.
Vet Authorization: Call your vet before you leave and authorize your pet sitter to seek medical treatment in your absence.
Emergency Contacts: Provide your own cell phone number, the phone number of the hotel where you are staying, and the number of a trusted local friend or family member who can make decisions if you cannot be reached.
ID Tags and Microchips: Ensure your pet is wearing a secure collar with an updated ID tag . If your pet is microchipped, double-check that your contact information is current in the registry database.

4. Prepare Your Home

Your pet sitter is not just caring for your animals; they are also keeping an eye on your house. Make sure your home is safe, secure, and easy to navigate.

Home Prep Checklist:

Pet-Proof the House: Put away any toxic houseplants, secure all trash cans, and close the doors to any rooms where the pets are not allowed.
Access Instructions: Ensure your sitter has a working key or the correct garage keypad code. If you live in a gated community, make sure the sitter's name is on the approved guest list.
Home Quirks: Does the back gate stick? Do you have to jiggle the handle to flush the toilet? Write down any home maintenance quirks your sitter might need to know.
Climate Control: Leave the AC or heat on a comfortable setting for your pets. Do not turn the HVAC system completely off just because you are leaving town!

Download Your Free Pet Sitter Checklist

Preparing for a pet sitter doesn't have to be overwhelming. By communicating clearly and leaving your home organized, you are ensuring that your furry family members receive the absolute best care possible.

At The Pet Nanny Company, our professional, bonded, and insured pet sitters are trained to handle all the details so you don't have to worry. We conduct a thorough meet-and-greet before every new booking to go over this exact checklist in person.

How to Prepare Your Pet and Home for a Pet Sitter

The Ultimate Checklist for a Stress-Free Vacation

You have booked your flights, packed your bags, and successfully hired a professional pet sitter from The Pet Nanny Company. You are almost ready for your vacation! But before you walk out the door, there is one final, crucial step: preparing your pet and your home for your sitter's arrival.

If you are wondering exactly what to leave out and what instructions to write down, we have you covered. Here is our comprehensive checklist on how to prepare for a pet sitter.

1. Prepare the Essential Pet Supplies

When your pet sitter arrives, they should not have to dig through your cupboards to find the leash or the treats. Gather all of your pet's daily essentials and leave them in one highly visible, easily accessible location (like the kitchen counter or the entryway table).

Supply Checklist:

Food and Treats: Leave out enough food for the entire trip, plus a few extra days' worth in case your travel is delayed.

Walking Gear: Place the leash, harness, and a full roll of poop bags near the door .

Medications: If your pet takes medication, leave it out with the exact dosage instructions clearly written.

Cleaning Supplies: Accidents happen! Leave out paper towels, pet-safe carpet cleaner, and extra litter or potty pads.

Comfort Items: Leave out a few of your pet's favorite toys, as well as a t-shirt or blanket that smells like you to help reduce separation anxiety.

2. Write Down Detailed Instructions for the Pet Sitter

Never assume your sitter will intuitively know your pet's routine. Cats and dogs thrive on consistency, and maintaining their normal schedule is the best way to prevent stress while you are away.

Leave a printed document and/or filled in info through our TimetoPet app that covers the following details:

The Feeding Routine: What time do they eat? Exactly how much food do they get? (e.g., "1 level scoop of dry food, mixed with 1 spoonful of wet food"). Are there any foods they are absolutely not allowed to have?

The Potty Schedule: How often does your dog need to go out? Do they have a specific spot in the yard they prefer?

House Rules: Is your dog allowed on the couch? Do they sleep in a crate at night, or in the bed? Let your sitter know what commands your pet understands so they can enforce the same rules.

Behavioral Quirks: Does your dog bark at the mailman? Is your cat terrified of the vacuum? Does your dog resource-guard their food bowl? Sharing these behavioral quirks prevents surprises and keeps everyone safe.

3. Update Safety and Emergency Information

In the rare event of an emergency, your pet sitter needs immediate access to vital information. Do not rely solely on text messages, write this information down and leave it with your feeding instructions.

Safety Checklist:

Vet Information: Leave the name, address, and phone number of your primary veterinarian, as well as the nearest 24/7 emergency animal hospital.

Vet Authorization: Call your vet before you leave and authorize your pet sitter to seek medical treatment in your absence.

Emergency Contacts: Provide your own cell phone number, the phone number of the hotel where you are staying, and the number of a trusted local friend or family member who can make decisions if you cannot be reached.

ID Tags and Microchips: Ensure your pet is wearing a secure collar with an updated ID tag . If your pet is microchipped, double-check that your contact information is current in the registry database.

4. Prepare Your Home

Your pet sitter is not just caring for your animals; they are also keeping an eye on your house. Make sure your home is safe, secure, and easy to navigate.

Home Prep Checklist:

Pet-Proof the House: Put away any toxic houseplants, secure all trash cans, and close the doors to any rooms where the pets are not allowed.

Access Instructions: Ensure your sitter has a working key or the correct garage keypad code. If you live in a gated community, make sure the sitter's name is on the approved guest list.

Home Quirks: Does the back gate stick? Do you have to jiggle the handle to flush the toilet? Write down any home maintenance quirks your sitter might need to know.

Climate Control: Leave the AC or heat on a comfortable setting for your pets. Do not turn the HVAC system completely off just because you are leaving town!

Download Your Free Pet Sitter Checklist

Preparing for a pet sitter doesn't have to be overwhelming. By communicating clearly and leaving your home organized, you are ensuring that your furry family members receive the absolute best care possible.

At The Pet Nanny Company, our professional, bonded, and insured pet sitters are trained to handle all the details so you don't have to worry. We conduct a thorough meet-and-greet before every new booking to go over this exact checklist in person.

Ready to book your next stress-free vacation? Contact us today to schedule your pet sitter!

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