The time has come for you to go on vacation or a work trip and you have to leave your pet for an extended amount of time. Don’t fret: Peak City Puppy can help with all of your pet sitting needs! The biggest key to leaving your pet successfully is preparation. Make sure you have detailed instructions for your pet’s needs and meet with your pet sitter before you go. Keep your pet’s routine consistent in the time leading up to the trip.
Below are some tips specific to your type of pet.
Prepare Your Dog for Pet Sitting
Dogs are generally the pet most invested in you and therefore the most anxious about you leaving. In the time leading up to your trip, keep your dog’s routine consistent. Plan their walks/potty breaks, their feeding schedule, and what areas of the house will be accessible. Make sure you schedule visits that are long enough and often enough to cover their needs. Schedule visits around their normal routine. You may need a 30-minute visit at dinner time so there is time for food and a walk. Maybe in the afternoon, you only need a 15-minute potty break.
Make sure your dog is stocked up on food, treats, toys, and beds so that all of their stuff is available and accessible. If anything will be different while you are out, practice those changes. Will any rooms be off limits? Shut those doors. Will they be walked every day between 12 and 2? Go on a walk at that time in the days leading up to the visits. Will they be using a different collar or leash? Try those out beforehand. Does it normally take three of you to wrangle them for a medication? Practice doing it alone and provide tips to your sitter.
Have your dog meet the pet sitter and give them a chance to bond. No one likes a stranger coming into the house at a random time. Scheduling a routine visit around their needs with a person they know will make them much more comfortable.
Prepare Your Cat for Pet Sitting
It is a good idea for your cat to meet the pet sitter in advance, even though they may not be as interested. It will still give them a chance to meet the person and become familiar with them.
Make sure you have litterbox(es) ready to go with scooper, bags, and extra litter available. Have a supply of wet and dry food available and specify how and where to feed, and when. Minimize hiding spots to a few so your cat can be found if they like to hide. Keep your cat’s diet and routine steady beforehand to minimize stress and disruptions. If your cat is prone to vomiting, or behavior changes when stressed, let your sitter know.
Prepare Your Furry Critters for Pet Sitting
Although your smaller pet may not be interested in meeting a pet sitter, it is still worth having them in your home so their sound, sight, and smell are familiar. Keep your pet’s feeding and routine consistent and avoid any big changes before the trip. You can spot clean their enclosure, but avoid any major cleaning, rearranging, or changes to their environment.
Pay attention to their habits and routines and make sure your sitter is familiar with their behavior and needs. Provide extra bedding and make sure their enclosure is secure. If there are any escape artists or naughty behaviors to be aware of, make sure to share those with the sitter.
Prepare Your Reptiles for Pet Sitting
Reptiles require specialty care that you will want to be very clear about. Make sure you are completely familiar with your pet’s needs and communicate those clearly in written instructions. Be consistent with your routine up to the trip, and don’t make any major changes to your pet’s environment beforehand.
You may want to automate timers for heating and lighting and include information on correct settings for heat, light, and humidity. Document the correct settings and changes for your sitter, even if you have it automated. Have backup equipment or solutions available as well in case something malfunctions.
Make sure the enclosure is correctly secured and the sitter knows how to open and close it properly. Teach them about handling for your specific pet and any special care routines. You may want to leave food and any supplements pre-portioned. If your sitter will need to do live feeds, make sure to go over that and ensure they are comfortable with the process.
Prepare All Pets
For all of your pets, make sure they are at their normal health and in good shape to be left at home. Always leave an emergency contact and veterinarian contact so your pet sitter has the information ready in case of any unexpected problems or new issues. With some care and preparation, your pet will do great!
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Pet sitters: https://peakcitypuppy.com/plans-pricing/
