Leaving a much-loved pet with a sitter can make even the calmest of pet parents feel a bit anxious. Of course, you can check in, but how often is too often? And will the sitter mind?
Navigating communication with a sitter before your pet’s stay is key to a smooth visit. And having a conversation upfront doesn’t have to be awkward. In fact, discussing your expectations helps avoid stress and confusion on both sides.
“Since pet sitters don’t know your pet as well as you do, they don’t know what is ‘normal’ or not for your pet,” says Dr. Hyun Hee Han, DVM, a veterinarian with Telavets. “Give them permission to trust their gut. If something seems off, it’s always better to send a text, picture, or a quick call.”
Read on to discover the best practices for communicating with a pet sitter during their visit.
Tip #1: Set a Time for Standard Updates
As you set things up with your new sitter, discuss how often you want updates and what you want them to look like. For example, will a quick text message with a photo suffice? Or do you want a more comprehensive summary of your pet’s day?
For healthy, well-adjusted pets, a once-daily update should be just fine. However, there are situations when more frequent updates may be necessary, such as if your pets are young or have health issues. Ultimately, how often you want to hear from your sitter is up to you. Here are some suggestions.
| Type of dog | Update frequency |
| Healthy adult dog | Daily |
| Puppies | 2 times per day (morning and night) |
| Seniors | 2 times per day (morning and night) |
| Dogs left for the first time with a new sitter | 2-3 times per day |
| Dogs with health issues | 2-3 times per day, plus confirmations that medications were given |
| Dogs with anxiety | 2-3 times per day, plus updates when your pet shows signs of stress |
| Type of cat | Update frequency |
| Healthy adult cat | Daily |
| Kittens | 2 times per day (morning and night) |
| Seniors | Daily (2+ times per day if there are any health issues) |
| Cats left for the first time with a new sitter | 2-3 times per day for the first few days, and then daily following that |
| Cats with health issues | 2+ times per day, plus confirmations that medications were given |
| Cats with anxiety | 2+ times per day, plus updates when your pet shows signs of stress |
Tip #2: Establish Other Events You Want To Know About
Outside of regular check-ins, Dr. Han says your pet sitter should contact you if they notice any of the following:
- Not eating or drinking
- Vomiting or diarrhoea, especially if it contains blood
- Lethargy (this might show up as a pet hiding, being quiet, or not engaging in their usual manner)
- Coughing
- Gagging
- Heavy or laboured breathing
- Wheezing (a high-pitched sound when the pet exhales)
- Limping
- Excessive thirst or urination
Germanovich via iStock
Tip #3: Review How You’d Like To Be Contacted
Along with discussing how often you’d like to be contacted, let your pet sitter know your preferred method for getting in touch. Do you want updates via in-app messages, emails, texts, voice memos, or phone calls? Also, let them know your preferred time of day. Would you like to be contacted first thing in the morning, or would you rather get a recap at the end of the day?
Additionally, it’s a good idea to include your preferred check-in details in your written instructions to your sitter. That way, they can refer back to them and ensure no step is missed when it comes to your dog or cat’s care.
What if your sitter can’t reach you?
Things happen when you least expect them, so it’s essential to have a plan in place in case something goes wrong and your sitter is unable to get in touch with you.
Give your sitter a list of emergency contacts, which can include nearby family members, friends, or even a neighbour who knows your pet and can help out in a pinch. You’ll also want to provide the contact information for your vet’s office, as well as the location and number of the nearest 24-hour urgent care or animal hospital.
Talk with your sitter about what types of situations warrant different reactions. For example, when can they wait until they’ve heard back from you before contacting an emergency contact, and what types of situations require taking your pet to the vet? Having everything nailed down ahead of time can help your sitter better handle both big and small emergencies as they arise.
Tip #4: Know When You Should Reach Out To Your Sitter
While some sitters may send updates proactively, feel free to reach out whenever you’re thinking about your pet or are curious how they’re doing while you’re away. Receiving a daily, general check-in is ideal for peace of mind, but you may also want to reach out in the following situations:
- If there have been any concerns or issues that you haven’t had a chance to discuss
- If your pet takes medication and you want to confirm they’ve received their regular dose
- If you know you’re going to be offline or without cell service for a period of time
Now that you know the best practices for communicating with a pet sitter during their visit, it’s time to put them in place. Establishing expectations ahead of time is the best way to ensure a stress-free experience for you, your pet, and your sitter.
