You've booked an in-home pet sitter — great decision. Now, a bit of thoughtful preparation before you leave will make the experience smoother for your sitter, better for your pets, and far more relaxing for you while you're away.
Write Everything Down
This is the single most important thing you can do. Don't rely on verbal walk-throughs alone. Leave a written document — physical or digital — that covers:
- Each pet's feeding schedule (amounts, food type, any supplements or medications)
- Walk schedule and preferred routes
- Behavioral quirks ("she barks at the mail carrier but is totally harmless")
- Veterinary contact information and your preferred emergency vet
- Any areas pets are not allowed
The more detail, the better. What feels obvious to you may not be obvious to someone new to your household.
Stock Up on Supplies
Make sure you have enough of everything your pets need for the full duration of your trip, plus a buffer. This includes food, treats, medications, litter, poop bags, and any specialty items. Running out mid-stay creates unnecessary stress.
Leave Access Information
Your sitter needs to be able to access your home reliably. Leave a spare key or make sure your code is set and working. Provide information on any alarm systems, including the code and the monitoring company's phone number.
If you have a gate, HOA requirements, parking restrictions, or a building with a buzzer system, brief your sitter on all of it.
Identify Your Vendors
If you have a gardener, pool service, or housekeeper scheduled during your stay, let your sitter know who they are, when they typically come, and what access they need. A good sitter will coordinate with them on your behalf — but only if they know to expect them.
Do a Dry Run
If possible, have your sitter come over for a meet-and-greet before your trip. Let your pets get comfortable with them. Walk through the home together. This reduces everyone's first-day anxiety and gives you confidence as you head to the airport.
Set Up a Communication Plan
Decide in advance how you'd like to receive updates. Daily photos? A quick text each morning? Most sitters will adapt to your preference — just express it clearly so expectations are set from the start.
A little preparation turns a good pet sitting experience into a great one.
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