Going on Vacation? What to Leave for Your Pet Sitter Before You Go
You finally packed the suitcase, found the chargers and remembered that one thing you were absolutely going to forget.
Then, halfway to the airport, you wonder: Did I tell the pet sitter which cabinet has the treats?
A little preparation makes pet sitting dramatically easier. Your sitter does not need a 47-page operations manual, but clear instructions help keep your pet's routine as normal as possible and eliminate unnecessary guesswork.
Here is the checklist we wish every traveling pet parent would run through before leaving town.
1. Leave Clear Feeding Instructions
Write down exactly what your pet eats, how much and when.
"One scoop" is only helpful if there is one obvious scoop. If the measuring cup somehow lives in a drawer three rooms away, point that out.
- Food location
- Amount per meal
- Meal times
- Treat limits
- Any foods the pet absolutely cannot have
- What to do if the pet skips a meal
If you have multiple pets, make it painfully obvious who gets what. The Labrador will happily volunteer to solve any ambiguity.
2. Organize Medications
List the medication name, amount, timing and how your pet normally takes it.
If medication needs refrigeration or must be given with food, include that. If your dog only accepts a pill when hidden in a very specific piece of cheese while facing east, we need that information too.
For complicated medication routines, leave written instructions in one place rather than scattering sticky notes around the kitchen.
3. Write Down the Normal Routine
Pets are creatures of habit. Tell your sitter what a normal day looks like.
- Usual wake-up time
- Walk or potty schedule
- Meal times
- Favorite play routines
- Where the pet sleeps
- Whether the dog is crated
- Any evening routine
- What counts as normal behavior for your pet
A sitter does not need to reproduce your household minute by minute. But knowing that your dog normally refuses breakfast until after a walk prevents an unnecessary 7:15 a.m. panic.
4. Explain the Quirks
This section may be more important than the feeding instructions.
Does your dog bark at delivery trucks? Does the cat hide inside the guest-room closet? Does your pet try to bolt through the garage door? Does the dog refuse to walk past a particular house because there is a statue they deeply distrust?
Tell us.
The weird little things are often what make care safer and easier.
5. Make Home Access Simple
Confirm exactly how the sitter will enter the home and make sure the access method works before you leave.
If there is an alarm system, gate, lockbox or garage code involved, provide clear instructions. If one door sticks unless you pull it toward you while turning the key, that is information worth sharing before 10 p.m.
6. Leave Emergency Contacts
Provide your veterinarian's name and phone number, your preferred emergency veterinary clinic, and at least one local person who can be contacted if needed.
Also make sure your sitter has the best way to reach you while you are traveling.
If you will be on a cruise, international flight or somewhere with limited service, say so.
7. Stock the Things Your Pet Actually Uses
Before leaving, check the glamorous vacation-prep items no one puts on Instagram:
- Enough food for the entire trip plus a little extra
- Medication
- Treats
- Waste bags
- Cat litter
- Cleaning supplies
- Paper towels
- Leashes and harnesses
- Crate supplies
- Favorite toys
- Any special feeding tools
Running out of dog food while you are six states away is avoidable excitement.
8. Tell the Sitter About the House Too
Pet care happens inside your home, so a few household notes are useful.
Where are cleaning supplies? Which lights should be left on? Should mail come in? Are there plants that need water? Is there a room the pet should not enter?
If your thermostat has a personality of its own, instructions are welcome.
9. Do a Final Safety Sweep
Before you leave, look at your home through the eyes of the pet who is about to have slightly less supervision than usual.
Secure trash, medications, food, cleaning products and anything else your pet likes to investigate. Make sure gates latch and doors close properly.
If your dog has ever escaped from the backyard, tell the sitter exactly how it happened.
10. Give Your Sitter Permission to Communicate
Tell your sitter how often you want updates and what method works best.
Some people want every photo. Some want a morning and evening update. Some are trying very hard not to become the person who checks in 14 times from the resort pool.
There is no wrong preference. It just helps to agree on it.
Use This Pet Sitter Checklist Before Your Next Trip
- Food and feeding instructions
- Medication instructions
- Daily routine
- Behavior quirks and triggers
- Leash, harness and walking notes
- Veterinary contact
- Local emergency contact
- Home access instructions
- Alarm/gate information
- Cleaning supplies
- Enough food, litter and medication
- Travel contact information
- Update preferences
Pet Sitting in Columbia, MD and Howard County
Woofie's of Columbia provides pet sitting in Columbia, MD and throughout Ellicott City, Clarksville, Elkridge, Fulton and surrounding Howard County communities.
We can care for your pets in the place they already know best: home. And yes, we want to know exactly where the treats are.
Have a trip coming up? Contact Woofie's of Columbia and let's get your pet's care lined up before the suitcase comes out.