You can’t always see the forest through the trees. Sometimes people miss things because we are so used to the way things are or how slowly they change. A prime example is a child’s height. A parent sees the kid everyday and each day the kid is only a tiny bit taller… but anyone who sees the child periodically or just yearly might exclaim: “oh my, he has grown so tall!” This same phenomenon can happen with our pets. We might not notice a change or issue until it grows much larger. Luckily, pet sitters are coming to visit your pet with a fresh set of eyes, and they are primed to notice something you might not have noticed just yet.
Pet sitters also spend time with a lot of different pets, so they learn to spot patterns and understand behavior that is expected and normal versus behavior that is concerning.
Anxiety and Stress
Has your pet been making small changes in their behavior? Maybe they are getting clingier over time. Maybe they are suddenly anxious or nervous when someone comes to the house. How does your pet do when you are away? How do they react to the pet sitter? How do they react to novel situations? Are they overly anxious? Are certain sounds, smells, or experiences triggering them? Are they vocalizing more or less than usual?
Guarding or Aggression
How does your pet do with food? Treats? Toys? Are they playful? Do they guard resources in the home? Are they destroying things in the home? Are they becoming more aggressive to other dogs, pets, or people?
Withdrawal
Is your pet hiding or avoiding contact? Are they staying away from normal lounging places? Are they avoiding favorite toys or food or treats? Are they avoiding play where they were once engaged?
Digestive Issues
Is your pet relieving themselves appropriately: in correct places at correct times? Has a regular pet started to become irregular? Has your pet had an accident when they normally never do? Is your pet’s poop overly hard or runny or a strange color? Are they excessively thirsty or hungry? Or, are they not eating or drinking enough? Are they suddenly eating very quickly or very slowly?
Limb Issues
Is your pet limping? Is your pet favoring a certain leg or struggling to jump on a piece of furniture? Are they less likely to chase or fetch than before? Do they seem stiff or have difficulty getting up? Are they struggling to go down a set of stairs?
Skin Issues
Are there patches of red skin? Is any of their skin irritated? Is your pet licking excessively or licking specific areas more than usual? Are they scratching their paws? Do they seem to be struggling to get comfortable?
Pain
Is your pet showing signs of pain? Are they scratching certain areas or favoring a side? Have they lost enjoyment in their once favorite activities? Are they whining more often? Are they growling when someone gets near a certain part of their body? Are they spending more time in a crate or private place?
Pet Sitters Notice
Walks and regular visits are great times for many of these issues to be seen before they become larger problems. A pet sitter has fresh eyes and familiarity with pets; they can help make sure your pet’s concerns are voiced.
Pet sitters will send you regular updates from their visits, and they will be sure to communicate any concerns. On the flip side, if there is something special you want the pet sitter to keep an eye on, don’t hesitate to mention it. Together, we can work to notice issues earlier and get your pet the attention they need. The only thing better than a pet is for that pet to have a long, healthy life.
Whatever visit or walking needs you have for your pet, Peak City Puppy can help.
Peak City Puppy: https://peakcitypuppy.com/
Pet sitters: https://peakcitypuppy.com/plans-pricing/
