What Is Pet Sitting – Everything You Need To Know
Sharing all we know about what is pet sitting
We previously covered plenty on this topic as in this blogpost. We have over seven years of experience in pet sitting, both as pet parent and pet sitter. If you want to know what pet sitting is, you’re in the right place.
Definition and meaning of pet sitting
So, what exactly is pet sitting? Pet sitting is looking after other people’s pets (usually in their own homes) while the owners are away. You’ll care for pets or if you’re a pet parent/ owner, it means you entrust your pets to a sitter. Both parties will agree to a specific time frame as well as responsibilities and duties.
What does pet sitting involve?
It involves sitters, pets and their owners, and a great deal of responsibility and trust. Pet owners usually communicate their needs on how to care for their pets or their house. Sitters communicate their experience, which animals they prefer or know how to handle, and their preferences.
Now let’s get a better understanding at what is pet sitting from the different positions: sitter or pet parent.
Pet sitting – as a sitter
We’ve been travelling the world as digital nomads and pet sitters for over seven years with nothing but praise. Let’s tackle the most common questions.
What qualifications do I need to be a pet sitter?
Unless you’re looking to be a professional pet sitter, none. You can have basic experience with pets you owned or have cared for. Or be an animal lover. You do not need any qualifications to get started as a pet sitter.
Is pet sitting stressful?
It can be if you take on more than you can chew. Some pet sitting come with multiple pets to care for at once or with ‘difficult pets’. Those that might have specific quirks, diets, challenging behaviours. Sometimes, the pets can be stressed with new people or having their routines disrupted by sitters. It’s important to choose wisely.
What are the risks of being a pet sitter?
There are no major risks if you choose a reputable pet sitting platform. You can also be covered by insurance. Pets are living creatures and anything can happen that might need a trip to the vet. You need to be careful whose house you accept to sit at – the neighbourhood, your safety, and your comfort. If you sense something is off, do not agree to the sit!
What are the duties of a pet sitter?
The duties of a pet sitter will largely depend on what the pet parents/ owners require from you. You will care for pets but also the house, the garden, and other smaller chores or tasks. This varies based on the pets and owners.
Let’s explore some of the responsibilities of what pet sitting is for cats and dogs respectively.
Dog sitting: responsibilities and duties
Let’s answer the question of “how to look after someone else’s dog?”.
Dogs generally need a good walk (or more), their poop picked up, cuddles and playtime. Dogs need some stimulation otherwise they can feel unhappy (or worse: get destructive!). Some dogs might have extra needs: grooming, bathing, administering medication if they have health issues.
Cat sitting: responsibilities and duties
Now let’s see what does cat sitting entail, shall we? Cats are generally independent and self-sufficient. You’ll need to feed them, brush them, play with them, and of course clean their litter regularly.
Outdoor cats often use the litter tray less (or not at all) but may need to be called back in. Some cats are allowed to roam freely day and night while other cat owners have a curfew for their cats.
Cats can be quite particular as well. Some cats don’t use their cat flap and want you to be their doorman. Other cats need supervision not to scratch sofas or bring back dead mice into the bedroom!
Pet sitting – as a pet owner
Before our cat passed away, we’ve used sitters when we went on holiday or were relocating. It’s not fun to leave behind a beloved pet. You feel guilty, sad, anxious, or like you’re cheating with other pets you meet on your travels. But once you know what is pet sitting and its benefits, it gets easier.
Are pet sitters a good idea?
Short answer, yes! Getting help from pet sitters is a good idea.
Who can look after my dog when I go on holiday? What are some options for pet care when going on vacation? Pet sitters are the answer. They love pets and would be happy to travel to your home to do so.
That’s what pet sitting is. You get to travel but also ensure your pets are well taken care of. Using pet sitters can be a game-changer! The sitters look after your pets and get a home to stay in, and you have peace of mind.
How do you find someone to house sit while you’re away
Maybe you don’t like the idea of putting your beloved furry baby at a kennel or cattery. Perhaps you deal with the challenge of not having friends or family available to help. So how about inviting someone to come stay at your house, house sit and look after your pet(s)? There are several Facebook groups, and pet sitting platforms and apps.
How do I set up pet sitting?
We’ve written an extensive blogpost sharing how pet sitting enabled us to travel the world. In it, we detail how to set up a profile, create an account in simple steps. The most important thing is to choose a reputable platform like the one we recommend. Head to our blogpost to learn more here.
Recap: what is pet sitting
It doesn’t matter how much you know about what is pet sitting but it’s essential to have trust and integrity. This is imperative for a positive experience. Pet sitting can be a win-win-win for the pets, the sitters, and the pet parents. It’s being open, being ready to trust, and communicating needs clearly.
We have loved our experience over many years and still do. We had fun with the pets, made friends from various countries, and met like-minded people who like pets and travel! Now that you know what is pet sitting, we hope you try it.
