Pet Sitters: Options for When You Can't Take Your Pet with You

By Beverly Eschberger

In my last article, I discussed some of the concerns and benefits of boarding your pet in a kennel if you are not able to take him with you on your travels. Another option you might consider is a pet sitter, this is best for dogs if you will only be away for a short time.

There are three basic types of pet sitter: a pet sitter who stays in your house, a pet sitter who comes to your house once or twice a day, and a pet sitter who keeps your pet at their house. A pet sitter who stays in your house is a good idea if you have multiple pets, older/sick pets, or if you have a pet with special needs, such as a horse or other livestock. A pet sitter who stops by once or twice a day is generally only a good idea for dogs if you will be away for a short time. If you are leaving your healthy cat with a sitter, it will usually be sufficient for the sitter to stop by every other day. If you have a dog and will be away for only a short time, you might consider leaving him with a sitter who keeps him in their house. This is an especially good option if the sitter has a dog of their own that your dog can play with.

The first thing you will want to decide is whether to use a professional pet sitter or a friend or family member. If your pet is young and healthy and does not have any medical conditions that need to be treated or special dietary concerns, having a friend or family member pet sit is a good option. If your pet will require a lot of special care, a professional pet sitter will ease your worries, and save your friends and family from a lot of stress.

If you are considering having a friend or family member pet sit, first ask yourself if they are reliable. You may have heard horror stories from other pet owners about their pets becoming ill or making a mess of the house because the pet sitter forgot to come by or there was a miscommunication about when the owner was returning. If you are leaving your dog with a pet sitter, you need someone who will not forget to walk him. A friend or family member as a sitter is a good option if you want someone who will stay in your house while you are away.

Next, does your pet like the person who will be sitting him? If you are leaving your dog with a sitter, he needs to feel comfortable with the person who will be walking him, otherwise he may become frightened or territorial. Even though we have two people who regularly pet sit our cats, our female cat Motley always hides from them. If she required any sort of daily medication, this would be a problem. If you have decided that you want a professional pet sitter, you can check your local yellow pages for sitters. A better option would be to ask friends, family, and your veterinarian for recommendations for a reliable, professional sitter.

Before you leave on your trip, introduce your pet to the person who will be sitting him. Explain the sitter’s duties before you leave, how often and how much to feed your pet, and any medications they will be responsible for. If the sitter will be cleaning a litter-box, let them know whether the litter is flushable, or if it needs to go into the garbage. Give the sitter a set of keys, and leave plenty of food and treats for your pet.

Be sure to leave your emergency contact information with the sitter; leave the telephone number of your hotel or the number of a friend or family member who knows how to reach you. I recommend always leaving the number of someone who can contact you, as well as your travel number, just in case the sitter has trouble reaching you. Leave your veterinarian’s contact information, as well as the name that your pet’s medical records are listed under if you and your spouse/partner have different last names. Leave your travel information, when you leave and when you will return. I recommend leaving your flight numbers, in case your sitter wants to make certain that you have arrived safely. Lastly, be sure to take the sitter’s contact information with you, so you can contact them in case you have been delayed, or if you suddenly remembered that you forgot a vital piece of information about your pet, or if you just miss your pet and want to make certain that he is okay.

No matter which option you choose, I know you will miss your pet, but if you have chosen a good sitter you will feel a lot more comfortable about leaving him behind.

About the Author:

I live with my husband, Everyday Geology editor Geoff Habiger, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. We have three children of the furry variety--two cats, Motley and Nero, and an Irish Setter named Clancy Marie. By day I am a chemist with Abbott Laboratories.

When I am not writing about Paleontology or Travelling with Pets, I like to spend as much time as possible outside, I enjoy hiking, bird-watching, and gardening. I am an avid reader of "just about everything," and I love to visit museums of all types, especially those that feature science and natural history.

My husband and I enjoy travelling to all sorts of different places whenever we get the opportunity, and we like to take Clancy with us.

In addition to writing about science and travelling, I enjoy writing fiction and poetry, and I enjoy combining my love of science education with my love of the literary.

Beverly may be contacted by email at paleoartisans@hotmail.com.

Article courtesy of Suite101.com.