Can I Only Get Pet Sitting for Dogs and Cats?
Your bearded dragon goes by the name of Steve. And Steve can only live his best life if he’s kept in a place with specific temperatures and daily salads, made with love. Or maybe you’ve got a pair of rabbits who need fresh hay and a clean litter box. Or you could even have a senior parrot who's been in the family longer than some of your relatives and has very particular opinions about his evening routine.
Any time you want to take a vacation, you always have to start with the same question. “Who will take care of them?”
Most pet sitters advertise dogs and cats. And that makes sense in terms of marketing since they're the most common pets. But if you share your home with something that doesn't bark or meow, you might be wondering whether professional pet sitting is even an option for you.
Good news: it usually is.
Professional pet sitters work with a much wider range of animals than most people realize. The specific species vary by company and individual sitter experience, but many pet sitting services—including Woofie's of Greendale-Waukesha—care for small mammals, birds, reptiles, and other companion animals alongside the usual dogs and cats.
Small Mammals
Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, ferrets, chinchillas. These are all animals that have dedicated owners who know exactly how particular their care requirements can be.
Rabbits need hay available constantly, fresh greens daily, and litter boxes cleaned regularly. They also need time outside their enclosure to hop around and stretch their legs. Guinea pigs require vitamin C in their diet since they can't produce it themselves. Ferrets need supervised play time and have a talent for getting into spaces you didn't know existed.
Any pet sitter you hire to handle small mammals should have a good grasp of these basics, and should be able to follow your instructions for your pet. That means following the feeding schedule you’ve established, giving out treats as you direct them to, and watching for any signs of distress.
Birds
Birds are social creatures, and many of them don't do well when left alone for extended periods. After all, that’s why they tend to be seen in flocks out in the wild. A pet sitter can provide the interaction and routine they need while you're away.
Finding a good pet sitter for a bird comes down to understanding care requirements by species. There are subtle differences between types of birds that make a big difference in how they need to be taken care of.
A pair of finches needs fresh food, clean water, and cage maintenance. A cockatiel wants interaction and might appreciate some out-of-cage time. A parrot who's been part of the family for decades has likely developed specific preferences about everything from food placement to evening conversation topics.
The biggest thing with birds is making sure the sitter understands any behavioral quirks. Does your bird bite strangers? Do they scream at certain times of day? Are there phrases they shouldn't be encouraged to repeat? A good pet sitter takes notes on all of this.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Bearded dragons, leopard geckos, corn snakes, ball pythons, turtles, and frogs all make for good pets. But anyone who has a reptile or amphibian knows their pets require precise environmental conditions. And these just can't be ignored just because someone's out of town.
Temperature, humidity, and UVB lighting all matter a ton to these pets. And this is also true of feeding schedules, especially for animals who eat live or frozen prey. You’ll want someone comfortable with that process.
Not every pet sitter has reptile experience, and that's an important question to ask upfront. But sitters who do work with reptiles understand that these animals have needs just as specific as any dog or cat. They're just different needs.
Fish and Aquariums
Ask someone “what’s a low maintenance pet?” There’s a really good chance they’ll say fish.
But, of course, anyone who's kept an aquarium knows better. You have to keep up water quality and feeding schedules, and you need to do regular equipment checks and monitor for signs of illness. Harder than it looks.
For short trips, automatic feeders sometimes handle the basics. But for longer absences, having someone check on the tank, make sure equipment is running properly, and watch for problems can prevent the kind of disaster that ruins a vacation and devastates a carefully balanced ecosystem you've spent months establishing.
What to Tell Your Pet Sitter
Whatever type of pet you have, the consultation before service starts is where you cover everything the sitter needs to know. For dogs and cats, this process is pretty standard. For less common pets, it's even more important.
Come prepared to explain:
- Daily care routines, including feeding amounts, schedules, and any dietary restrictions
- Environmental requirements like temperature, humidity, or lighting
- Normal behavior versus signs that something's wrong
- Emergency contacts, including your exotic vet if you have one
- Handling instructions, including whether the animal should be handled at all
A good pet sitter will ask questions and take notes. They want to get this right as much as you want them to.
Need Pet Sitting Near You?
The most important thing is matching your pet with a sitter who has relevant experience and feels comfortable providing the care your animal needs. That might mean asking specifically about experience with your type of pet before booking.
At Woofie's of Greendale-Waukesha, we work with cats, dogs, and other companion animals. So if you have a beloved pet that’s not a cat or a dog, let us know and we’ll talk about them in the complimentary consultation. We'll tell you whether we’re able to take care of them, and if we're not, we'll be upfront about it.
No matter the specifics of your pet, one thing is for sure: they deserve someone who knows what they're doing. And there’s a very good chance you can find them the pet sitter they need.
Have questions about Waukesha pet sitting for your specific animal? Call Woofie's of Greendale-Waukesha at (414) 377-5832 or book a consultation online to talk through your pet's needs.