Long time sitters-- have you come up with a graceful way to tell an owner that their dog would require additional fees on top of your usual rate?

I have never had occasion to request additional fees from an owner. However, I have had dogs that were taking numerous pills and each meal had different requirements. Half of this, one of these and another half of that one. In your case, though, you should request the raw diet be prepared by the owner and packaged in portions ready to serve. Perhaps at the most all you would have to do is add the raw egg. Many people freeze daily portions of raw food for their dogs. There's no reason why you should have to go to all that trouble. Approaching the owner, you should emphasize that you are happy to dispense the raw food, just as you do dried kibble or wet food (i.e., measure it out) but that you cannot prepare it.

I haven't served any raw diet to dogs, but have fed a wide variety of special canine cuisine. Usually, the owners provide a supply of fresh or frozen that has been prepared for their dog. Like Karen, I've also administered medicine (Rx and holistic), and a variety of other care routines, which can be time consuming. During the meet & greet, I've found that's the best time to ask all the detailed questions that might eliminate surprises. For example, you may choose to ask what the dog eats, which likely will reveal more information. As for asking for additional fees, no I haven't taken that approach. Either I offer to provide care for their dog or if it's not a good match, I don't.

Ditto on the asking what the dog eats and if any special prep is needed. If it is a complicated diet it is perfectly reasonable to ask them to pre package and freeze anything like you mentioned. I do not charge extra for meds. To me, that is a big difference in how home sitting is better than big box care where they nickle and dime for every little thing. Again, ask them to prep doses into individual doses. You can ell them you want to make sure it is right and they know it better than anyone. If they won't it's not a good fit and you shouldn't feel bad about declining. If they spring it on you tell them you'll need their help making up the doses while they are there.

Another company I work with charges a $2 surcharge if medications have to be dispensed, and this is charged for each medication dose. I wouldn't ask my Rover clients for extra for medication unless there are a lot of them, or there's a complicated schedule. I think that having to prepare a complicated meal each time is going above and beyond the regular duties of a pet sitter, so either having them prepare it ahead of time or charging extra seems appropriate. Let it go for this time, but discuss it more fully if they ask to book you again. Tell them how long it took to prepare the meal, and compare that to the usual dishing out of wet/dry dog food.

That could have been seen at the meet and greet. I may have missed it too, but don't be afraid to ask and answer tough questions at the m&g. That is what it is for. I see nothing wrong in asking for more $ because of the 20 ingredient food. Be assured the owner knows it is a pain for you and wondered why you didn't say something.

Additionally, regarding your fear of a bad review, I suggest waiting until the owner has posted his/her review of this stay and then addressing the issue next time you are asked to host their pet.