5 Things Your Pet Sitter Needs to Know About Your Pet

May 13, 2016

You’ve been on vacation for a week. You’re prepared to continue exploring the city you’re visiting when you receive a call in your hotel room. The hotel staff has connected you to your pet sitter and they explain that your dog is extremely sick. They sitter says your furry best friend is vomiting uncontrollably and that she won’t stop growling. The dog sitter is upset and doesn’t know what to do. You momentarily panic, and then ask the sitter what they fed the dog within the last several hours.

A brief conversation reveals that they fed her something they were allergic too. You remember a similar incident years ago, when you did the same thing. You advise the sitter to contact the veterinarian, but you forgot to provide that information as well. Your dog is sick, your pet sitter is frustrated and you’re miles away, scrolling through your email account for the name of the emergency veterinarian.

All of this could have been avoided had your provided your pet sitter with an emergency list. Incidents like these can be avoided when the pet sitter is provided adequate information pertaining to your pet’s history. Let’s take a look at a the crucial information your pet sitter should know about your pet.

1. Mental Health

Does your pet have a history of mental illness or display any stress when you’re gone for extended periods of time. The last thing you want to do is leave a stressed out pet with someone they don’t know. If at all possible, consider having your pet examined before you take your vacation and ask your veterinarian their advice before you go away.

2. General Health and Exercise

What about your pet’s heath? Your pet sitter should also be aware of ways to keep your pet physically fit. What games or activities do you normally engage in to keep your pet fit or entertained? Keep in mind that you need to be detailed, your pet sitter’s idea of fun and fitness may not coincide with your vision for your pet’s health.

3. Medical History

Your pet sitter should definitely have complete knowledge about your pet’s medical history. This includes information pertaining to recent veterinarian visits. Your pet sitter should definitely know about any medicine or supplements needed for their health and well-being. In addition, contact your veterinarian and let them know that you’re going out of town, they shouldn’t be caught off guard in the event your pet sitter needs to contact them.

4. Diet

There is pet food and then there is your pet’s food. Your sitter needs to know exactly what to feed your beloved animal. This is one area you don’t want to be vague about. You need to be detailed as possible and advise them not to give your animal anything you haven’t suggested. There are too many cases of pet sitters feeding animals seemingly harmless food, only to find out that the animal had an allergic reaction before it died.

5. Attitude Problems?

Your pet may be cool as they come, but certain things may trigger irrational behavior. Does certain music turn your beloved animal into Mr. or Mrs. Hyde? Can your sitter’s behavior accidentally excite and provoke your animal? If so, you definitely should advise your sitter before hand and suggest proper behavior in order to avoid any problems.

Hopefully this helps. The most important thing is the selection of the right person to care for your pet. PetSitter.com is your connection to qualified pet sitters in your area. We have an easy to use website that matches you to great pet sitters in your area. Need a Pet Sitter? Start your Pet Sitter Search or Post your Job Today!

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