Skip to main content

How to find a good pet sitter you (and your animals) like

Whether you travel a lot for work or you’ve finally booked your dream vacation, having a pet sitter you feel comfortable leaving your fur babies with is as essential as your plane ticket. Knowing how to find a pet sitter is a valuable life skill when you have animal companions. But knowing how to find a good pet sitter can be tougher than it sounds. Thankfully, it doesn’t need to be. We’ve done all the research for you, so you can sit tight, relax, and trust that — thanks to our helpful tips — you’ll know the perfect sitter for your pet when you meet them. 

Cats crowded around a kitchen table.
Arina Krasnikova from Pexels

Why should you hire a pet sitter?

If you’re going to be out of town only for a night or two, asking your friend to fill up your pet’s bowls and take her for a walk is no big deal. After all, you’ve most likely done the same for them. However, if you need to leave town for a weeklong business trip, vacation, or family emergency, a pet sitter is in order. The benefits of using a pet sitter are numerous, and they include:

  • Your pet gets to stay at home with her own food, toys, and bedding. 
  • She won’t get stressed out by traveling to the vet to be boarded, where she’ll be surrounded by strange animals and smells.
  • You can ask your pet sitter to bring in any packages or newspapers, so your home looks occupied even while you’re away. 
  • Many pet sitters will also water any plants you have, take your pet out for a walk if she’s allowed outside, and some will also groom your pets for you in the comfort of your home. 
  • You won’t have to ask friends, neighbors, or family members to look after your pet while you’re away.  
  • You’ll feel much better about leaving your pet in the care of a professional who has a ton of experience with pets. 

As you can see, the benefits of using a pet sitter are extensive. But how do you find a good one? We’ll help you out. 

A woman on a park bench with a white dog.
Samson Katt from Pexels

Finding a good pet sitter

Word-of-mouth recommendations are a great place to start when you’re looking for a pet sitter. If your co-worker has pets and travels frequently, don’t be afraid to ask who they use to look after their pets. It’s okay if you don’t know anyone off the top of your head. You can make inquiries at your groomer or veterinarian’s office. Some groomers, vet techs, nurses, and even veterinarians pet-sit in their spare time to pick up a few extra bucks, so don’t be surprised if someone offers to watch your fur baby on the spot. 

Other options include NAPPS, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, which is the only national nonprofit professional pet sitting organization; Pet Sitters International, which has around 7,000 independent pet sitters available; and Rover, which allows you to see which pet sitters have repeat customers, view their ratings, and read user-written reviews before booking.    

What to look for in a pet sitter

Before you leave for your trip, you should ask your pet sitter to come over and meet your pet in person. Watching them interact is the best way to gauge whether the sitter will be a good fit for your pet. If you have an extremely skittish cat, however, your mileage may vary. Some pets dislike all strangers. Only you know your pet’s typical behavior, so you’ll be the best person to judge whether a sitter is right for your pet. If you can, have the sitter watch your pet for a short duration, like over the weekend, before committing. 

Some questions to ask your pet sitter:

  • Will they make sure you no longer need their services before discontinuing check-ins after you return?
  • Does your pet sitter have an action plan if your pet needs veterinary assistance?
  • Will your pet sitter take notes on your pet’s medical history, any medications needed, and potential issues like fear of thunderstorms?
  • Will they stay in the home with your pet, or will they visit multiple times a day?
  • Do they have prior experience pet sitting? If so, are they willing to share references? 
  • Is your pet sitter insured and bonded?

When choosing a sitter, look for one who has liability insurance in case of accidents. You’ll also want someone who’s bonded in the event of theft or damages to your home. (While this is incredibly rare, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.)

A small white puppy napping under a kitchen table.
Tanya Gorelova from Pexels

How to worry less while you’re away

Leaving your fur baby behind is always stressful, even if you’re leaving her in the care of a trained professional, but there are steps you can take to give yourself peace of mind. Make sure you have plenty of food and any medications your pet will need in case you have to stay gone longer than you anticipated. Ensure your pet sitter has contact information for your veterinarian, confirm your pet’s vaccinations are up to date, and leave detailed instructions for your sitter. Now, you can enjoy your trip knowing your pet is in good hands. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
Do puppies sleep a lot? These are the perfectly normal sleeping habits of a healthy pup
Puppies sleep a lot, but here's when it's normal and when to be concerned
Puppy sleeping on lap of human with mustard yellow sweater

Generally, puppies require abundant sleep — some will snooze up to 20 hours per day. Every pup is different, though and as they get older, the number of sleep hours decreases. By about 16 weeks of age, most dog breeds will be able to sleep through the night.

Sleep is an essential element of human and canine development. As anyone who has had a new puppy can tell you, it can be tough at first to get them into a good sleeping routine. Still, you'll want to make sure you and your new dog are rested and fit for all that life has to offer you. Here is everything you need to know about when your new puppy should be sleeping through the night and the answer to the question, "Do puppies sleep a lot?"

Read more
Best guard dogs: These 7 breeds will protect you with their life
These dog breeds are some of the best personal guards you'll find
An Akita sitting on the bed

Most dogs are loyal and loving animals. That’s why we know them as humans’ best friends. They’d do anything for us. For some dogs, “anything” means protecting us with their lives. And these breeds make the best guard dogs. For many of them, it’s instinctual. They’ve evolved to protect the family they love. You’ll notice these pups keeping a watchful eye on your property. They may bark to alert you when your company arrives or the mail gets delivered.
Remember, guard animals mean well. They aren’t trying to be vicious, but instead, they want to keep you and your home safe and sound. Some prospective pet parents want this quality in a dog. If that’s you, consider these breeds that make the best guard dogs.

What is the easiest guard dog to train?
There's a whole group of beasties that are often referred to as the guardian breeds — many of them make this list. Those animals with a predisposition toward defending and alerting will likely also learn their duties quickly. However, you'll also need a pup who has been properly socialized. Remember, you only want your guard to go into protection mode when there's a serious threat, not every time the mailman stops by.

Read more
This is how long you can expect your new pet rabbit to live
Follow these tips to help your rabbit live a long and healthy life
Multicolored rabbit on carpet

Rabbits are pleasant house pets — a delight to care for when you know how to keep them happy and healthy. Like other beloved animals, a pet rabbit’s life expectancy depends on their breed, diet, and living conditions. What is a pet rabbit's lifespan? Let’s dig a little deeper and answer some important questions, such as how long your adorable pet rabbit lives and how to extend their years.

How long do rabbits live?
Here’s a fun fact: The oldest rabbit that ever lived was 18 years old! By contrast, wild rabbits only live up to about three years, since many die very young. But there's good news. In the absence of predators, pet rabbits have a life expectancy of eight to 12 years. Like dogs, larger breeds tend to have a shorter lifespan while smaller rabbits often live at least 10 years.

Read more