What Instructions to Leave for Your Pet Sitter

When you’re going away there are a million and one things to think of and tie up before you head out the door, especially if you have pets. Whether you’re leaving your pets with a friend or a professional sitter, it can still be a stressful time for both you and your pet, so make sure you make it as smooth as possible for everyone involved with some careful forethought and preparation before you go.

Getting a pet sitter

By having a pet sitter and being in familiar surroundings with their usual routine is a great way to reduce your pet’s anxiety levels whilst you’re not there. You may know your pet routines inside and out, but your pet sitter may not be as well acquainted, so making sure you leave instructions is incredibly important.

Essential instructions to leave for your pet sitter

Start with the essentials, such as food and water. Leave details on how much food your pet has each day, including portion size and how many feeds and of course, make sure there is always fresh, clean water available too. Also make sure your pet sitter knows where the food is kept. It is best not to leave food out on worktops; it can be too much of a temptation for some pets, but also can be a sign to alert any burglars you’re not there.

Be sure to leave instructions about comfort breaks and exercise. If your pet sitter isn’t staying at the property, then it’s essential to pop round in the morning and evening to let your pooch out for a necessary toilet break. Also, it’s helpful to know the length of walks and types of activities they like too – playing fetch in the park or swimming in ponds – this means your sitter can make sure they get the right amount of exercise and play the games they like too.
Personality and behaviour instructions

Also, make sure you leave some details about your pet’s personality and behavioural traits too. If they tend to pull on the lead on walks or like to curl up on their favourite armchair when no-ones there, it’s worth letting your sitter know, so they can be aware of your pets behaviour and do everything they can to keep their routine as normal and structured as possible.

When leaving your instructions, it’s important to maintain the usual routine as much as possible to keep your pet’s anxiety to a minimum. Contact Derek at Finchley Stay at Home Pet Services for more information on pet sitting services.