Leaving your pet in someone else’s care can be stressful for you and your pet. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Whether you are at work or traveling, this checklist will help you and Top Dog Pet Sitters work together to keep your pets happy, healthy, and safe while you’re away.
SUPPLIES
Make sure that you have plenty of pet food. If you have multiple pets with different diets, it is helpful to label food containers with your pet’s name.
Leave several rolls of paper towels. These are needed for pet accidents and for your pet sitter to dry their hands. Speaking of pet accidents, be sure and leave cleaning supplies (out of a pet’s reach).
Double check your pet’s medication. Do you have enough for the length of time you will be away?
Make sure you leave poop bags if we are walking your dog.
If we will be caring for a cat, leave bags for litter scooping and a scoop.
We try not to use your restroom, but sometimes, we have no other choice. Please make sure there is toilet paper.
SAFETY
Be sure you have pet-proofed your home. Pick up anything an anxious dog could destroy. Put away anything that could harm your pet. This would include small toys, plants, broken toys, and anything toxic.
Does your fence need repair work? You don’t want your pup to escape from your backyard.
Do not leave bully sticks, chew sticks, etc. for your pet sitter to leave with your pet. These are choking hazards.
Provide your vet with a treatment authorization and a credit card.
Please do not schedule repair work for your home while you are away. Doing so poses a safety concern for our employees.
HOME CLEANILINESS
Clean your home before you leave. No one wants to be in a smelly home or a home with old food lying around. Also, do not leave days’ worth of kitty litter for your pet sitter to scoop. That’s just rude.
INSTRUCTIONS
Top Dog Pet Sitters collects all dog walking, pet sitting, and home care details and instructions in our pet sitting software. Be sure these instructions are up to date. Instructions and details include:
Feeding instructions (how much, where is food stored, what time of day does your pet eat)
Administering medication and where it is stored
How will we enter your home (door code or lock box), and what is the code?
Watering plants
If we are walking your pup, where is the leash?
Where are your cleaning supplies located?
What is your pet’s personality, including behavioral notes?
What training commands does your pet understand?
Who is your vet?
What is your itinerary?
Who is your emergency contact, and where do they live?
Is your contact information up to date?
Who has access to your home?
Where are your city trash cans stored? What is your trash day?
Do you have an alarm? If so, what is the code?
Preparing your house for Top Dog Pet Sitters is one of the most important things you can do to make sure everything goes smoothly. You don’t want to leave things until the last minute. Otherwise, you’ll be boarding your flight or on your way to the office, realizing you forgot to refill your cat’s insulin medication.
Susan Gary owns Top Dog Pet Sitters along with her husband, Erick. She has been a professional pet care provider since 2015. She is a founding member of the Texas Pet Sitters Association and a member of Pet Sitters International. TDPS provides award-winning and professional dog walking and pet sitting services in McKinney and Melissa.
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