We love our pets, but it’s not always possible for them to be with us. Traveling without your pets takes a significant amount of planning before you leave. It starts with finding someone you can trust to take care of your animal. These tips for hiring a pet sitter from will help you with the process so you can create a safe and healthy environment for your furry family.
1. Understand the Stress Relief Benefits
Having someone to care for your pets while you are away is a significant stress reliever for you and the animal. A pet sitter will drop by to visit your pet while you’re away, keeping them from feeling isolated or without human interaction for too long. It also allows you to maintain the same meal times you’ve kept up in the past.
Pets, especially dogs, can have serious physical reactions to stress. For example, dogs are known to experience seizures when placed in stressful situations. But more common signs of stress include excessive urination, sudden change in mood or temperament, and constant scratching. Just a couple of visits from someone each day can drastically reduce their risks of becoming too anxious.
2. Set Up Clear Protocols for the Sitter
To ensure everything runs smoothly, you should set up clear protocols for the sitter. For example, you can create a written plan that contains the outdoor and feeding schedule, where all the items they will need are located in the house, who to contact in case of an emergency, and phone numbers for veterinarians in the area. If your home requires security, you should set that up in advance to ensure your sitter can access the house at necessary times. If you have certain rules for the animal, you should also include that information as well. Keep a list of medications, the proper dosages, and schedule for administration if your pet has an illness.
While you should definitely have all the necessary information written down for your sitter, here’s an option to create a PDF copy as well. With online tools you can easily convert an image or Word file into a PDF. Then you can email it to the sitter so they don’t have to keep track of the paper copy.
3. Create a Fool-Proof Communication Plan
Communication is very important during the process of hiring a pet sitter. If you have any reason to believe you may be out of touch during your vacation, go over a plan with the sitter to ensure they know who to contact when they cannot reach you. For example, The Humane Society suggests that you might speak with a neighbor or family member about being available in your absence. Provide the sitter with a list of all your contact points, including phone number, email, hotel phone and room number, and the contact information for everyone on the trip.
4. Vet Your Sitter Properly
One of the most important tips for hiring a pet sitter is to do your research to make sure you find the right pet sitter for you. According to Petsitter, some important characteristics to look for in a pet sitter include availability, no criminal background, training, insurance, and references. Your pet sitter should have a clean record. Remember, they will also be spending time in your home while no one is there. They should also provide valid references from people they pet sit for before. Your best option is to use a sitter service that fully vets sitters for you.
5. Stock Up on Supplies
Have everything the pet sitter will need ready before they arrive and keep them in the same place. You could purchase a large plastic container to hold food, cleaning supplies, and a leash. To be sure nothing runs out before you come home, hide a small amount of cash for the sitter to access in case of an emergency.
In addition to plenty of food, be sure to have all the necessary supplies to walk your dog. Depending on where you live, there may be muzzling requirements. If you need to buy a new one before your trip, be sure to consult veterinarian reviews first to make the best decision.
Travel with Peace of Mind
Finding the right sitter is crucial to managing your and your pet’s stress while you are away. The experience can be enjoyable for both of you. With these simple tips for hiring a pet sitter, you can carry out your business trip or vacation successfully and come home to a happy pet.
