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Even if you want your pet to accompany you on all your adventures, it is not always possible. That’s why it’s important to have a trusted pet sitter who can look after your pets while you’re away. For new pet parents, this process can seem daunting – how do you find the best pet sitter for your furry family member? To help you, we’ve put together a list of things you should look for when interviewing potential sitters.
They are happy to provide customer references
Professional pet sitters are always happy to share referrals from other clients. In fact, they’ll probably already have them available on their website, social media, or profile on a pet sitting app. If a pet sitter you’re considering has only a handful of references, consider how long they’ve been caring for those pets. Some sitters prefer to have only a few long-term clients so they can build a close relationship with the animals they care for.
They have a flexible schedule and are clear about their capacity
A great pet sitter can work around your pet and their needs. This is especially important if your pet needs medication or other care at specific times of the day – you want to make sure the pet sitter will always be able to get around that specific time. Not only do you want their schedule to be flexible, but you also want them to be honest about their capacity and how many clients they can handle at any given time. If they accept too many clients, they may not be able to devote enough time to each animal.
They get to know your pet and ask you to complete a detailed intake form
When choosing a pet sitter, it’s just as important for them to ask you questions as it is for you. The most common way sitters do this is to ask you to complete a detailed intake form for each animal they will be supervising. This form should include questions such as:
- Does your pet take medication?
- Do they have allergies?
- What are their favorite toys or games?
- Who can he contact in an emergency if you are not available?
After you complete the form, they should review the responses with you and ask any additional or clarifying questions. Most sitters will ask for this to be done in person, so they can also meet before their first visit.
They do more than just the “essentials” when visiting your pet
A professional pet sitter will do more than just feed your pet, refresh their water, and quickly scoop up their litter or take them for a walk around the block when they visit. In addition to these basic tasks, they will take the time to give your pet individual attention and enrich their day. What this will look like will depend on your pet’s preferences and the details you shared about them in the intake form. For example, if your cat loves chasing a feathered wand, your sitter might be looking for new activities to do with your cat that involve the wand. Good pet sitters will even come prepared with activities and toys they think your pet will enjoy, bringing a new level of excitement to the visit.
They know what to do in an emergency
Accidents can happen, so you need to find a pet sitter who has the knowledge and experience to handle any situation that arises. The best pet sitters are those who have taken a pet first aid course and do regular updates to ensure their knowledge is up to date. During this training, they will learn basic first aid skills such as:
- Respiratory and cardiac emergencies
- Wound care
- Seizures
In addition to basic first aid, pet custodians should be comfortable administering different types of medications, including injections and subcutaneous fluids. Bonus points if they know all the answers to these first aid tips, our Freshpet vet Dr. Aziza wants pet parents to know!
Do they provide updates while you’re away or a report after you return?
A good pet sitter knows it’s never easy being away from your furry baby, which is why they’re happy to share daily updates during their visits. Before leaving, your sitter should ask you what is the best way to reach you while you are away and if you would like them to send you photos, videos or messages informing you of your pet’s condition that day . At the end of their visit, they often write a longer and more detailed account for each visit. In this report, they can also recommend activities or toys that your pet particularly enjoyed so that you can try them for yourself when you return.
Knowing that your pet is in good hands can give you peace of mind to truly enjoy your stay. We hope this list has given you a good starting point for your search or even confirmed that your babysitter is, in fact, one of the best!
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