As exciting as counting down the days until your next trip can be, the thought of leaving your furry best friend behind can be unsettling. Maybe you feel that sad tug at your heartstrings, or you’re having trouble sleeping at night, anxious about whether the person taking care of your pet is well-equipped. Any loving and experienced pet sitter can give your four-legged family member the love and attention they deserve while you’re taking some time away from home. From making sure they have all the pet grooming tools they need to writing down your pet’s daily routine schedule, check out our ultimate pre-travel pet sitter checklist!
- Pet Food and Supplies — Stock up on both pet food and supplies for the pet sitter to have on hand. Supplies can include grooming tools like a deshedder to help remove excess fur from your pet. Providing your pet sitter with necessary supplies can eliminate last-minute confusion and stress, allowing your pet sitter to focus better on your pet’s needs while you’re away. Stocking up on those supplies demonstrates your responsibility as a pet parent, helping to make a positive and lasting impression on your sitter for any future needs.
- Detailed Pet Care Instructions — AKC Pet Insurance advises how important it is to provide your pet sitter with complete information. Detailed pet care instructions should include general pet information like their name, breed, size, appearance, official registration number (if registered) and their general temperament description. Providing them with any necessary information will reduce stress and anxiety for you and the pet sitter during your travels. Having all the information at hand will offer a seamless experience between your pet and your return. Clear and easy-to-understand instructions enable your pet sitter to act quickly in the case of an emergency like a medical issue or unexpected situation. It’s better to be prepared to ensure a worry-free vacation.
- Grooming Tools — For a little quality bonding time, leave behind a pet grooming kit for your pet sitter. A handy, multipurpose grooming kit will help your pet sitter look after your furry friend as they bond together and remove excess fur from their coat. In general, providing your pet sitter with grooming tools in advance helps them maintain your pet’s overall well-being and hygiene. Regular grooming will promote their health while ensuring their coat remains free of mats. It can also help them detect potential health problems like fleas or ticks early on.
- Daily Routine Schedule — While you may know your pet’s daily routine, like the back of their paw, your pet sitter may not be familiar with the finer details of your pet’s likes, dislikes and what their daily schedule looks like. Pets thrive on consistency, and providing your pet sitter with an idea of their structure, including playtime, exercise and feeding, can reduce everyone’s anxiety while you’re traveling. Having that schedule available to your pet sitter will help them integrate seamlessly into your pet’s life while building familiarity and trust.
- Contact Information for a Backup Sitter — Emergencies happen, and while we like to think we can always depend on our go-to pet sitter, it’s better to have a backup. Supply the contact information of a backup pet sitter or your primary pet sitter as a prudent precaution. Sharing an interactive contact prioritizes your pet’s well-being, so you won’t have to worry about suddenly leaving your trip to attend to your pet. It’s peace of mind for both you and the primary pet sitter.
- Vet Information — It’s also a smart idea to provide the contact information for your vet. In the event your pet sitter is worried that your pet is sick or hurt, they’ll be able to contact your vet on your behalf immediately. Provide your pet sitter with your vet’s name, phone number and their usual veterinarian, if applicable. Write down the contact information for a 24/7 veterinary hospital in your area for them to know as well.
- Payment and Compensation — It’s best to discuss your pet sitter’s payment and compensation in advance. Does your sitter charge per day, per hour or per visit? Does your sitter have any particular needs? They can let you know the methods of payment they accept and if they prefer to receive the money upfront or after services are rendered. Transparency around the cost of pet sitting is helpful for everyone to know and to agree to prior to your pet sitter looking after your pet.
The well-being of your pet is paramount. After all, they’re not just a pet. They’re your best friend and loyal companion, and you want to make sure they’re well taken care of in your absence. By meticulously planning ahead and providing your pet sitter with everything they need, including the best pet hair remover to brush and groom your pet with love and care, you can rest easy knowing that your pet is in good hands while you’re enjoying your trip.