Since it’s National Professional Pet Sitters Week, pet safety is necessary for pet owners.
Leaving your pet in someone else’s care can be challenging for you and your dog or cat. Luckily, there are a few easy things you can do to ensure everything goes as smoothly. In honor of National Professional Pet Sitters Week, the Mt. Carmel Animal Hospital team wants to help you and your pet sitter collaborates to keep your pet happy, safe, and healthy while you’re away.
Keep Your Pet Healthy and Well Fed
Ensure your dog or cat has plenty of food. You don’t want them running out while you’re away! If you have several pets on different diets, label the food containers. Also, leave detailed feeding instructions, including portion size, how many times to feed your pet a day, and other special considerations like the feeding order of several pets. In addition, confirm that your pet has sufficient medication and write out instructions for its location and administration.
Moreover, leave your veterinarian’s name, contact number, and location. Notify them that you have a pet sitter authorized to take care of your pet on your behalf. If applicable, leave your pet sitter a list of vaccinations and dates received. Most importantly, provide your itinerary and multiple contact forms for your pet sitter, including your cell phone, local emergency contacts like a neighbor or family, and the names and phone numbers for the places you’ll be staying.
Ensuring Your Pet is Safe
Since it’s National Professional Pet Sitters Week, pet safety is necessary for pet owners. Make sure your pet’s microchip information is up to date in the event they get loose while you are away. Put ID tags on your pet’s collars if you have several pets. If you have different breeds, include your pets’ breeds with their names in your instructions to avoid any confusion. In addition, leave the following in a place that your pet sitter can easily access:
- Your pet’s leash
- Poop bags
- Food, bowls, and other supplies
- Pet first aid kit
Ensure your backyard is secured or prevent an escape by instructing your pet sitter to keep your dogs on a leash when outside. Put away toys that can pose a choking hazard.
Include Directions About Your Home
Having a pet sitter isn’t just about your pets! Always include instructions about your home, like water turn-off location, alarm codes, circuit breakers, internet access information, and the names of anyone else who might be in your home during your absence. Also, let your neighbor or landlord, if you have one know that you’ll have a sitter, and provide them with your sitter’s contact number (with your sitter’s permission) in case of an emergency.
Sometimes keypad batteries die, so leave a set of keys even if you have a keypad. Eliminate any possible harmful objects from your pet’s reach, such as trash, cleaning supplies, or plants. Keep cleaning supplies in a prominent location but out of your pet’s reach if your pet makes a mess or has an accident.
Prepping your home for a pet sitter helps to ensure that your dog or cat will receive the best possible care. It’s also a great way to make your pet sitter feel appreciated. Happy National Professional Pet Sitters Week!
HERE AT MOUNT CARMEL ANIMAL HOSPITAL, WE’LL TREAT YOUR PETS LIKE FAMILY!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook!