Pet Sitting Responsibilities

You might be thinking about starting a pet-sitting. But wondering what exactly does a pet sitter do?

While every pet-sitting opportunity is different, there are some universal responsibilities. Keep reading to learn what responsibilities your potential clients will expect of you.

What Is A Pet Sitter?

A professional pet sitter will help care for pets when the pet owners need to leave their home. Maybe the pet owners work long hours or are going on vacation. Whatever the reason, they need some extra help providing pet care.

In these situation, owners may hire a sitter to help out with the pets.

What Does A Pet Sitter Do?

Pet sitters take care of pets and ensure they complete all the duties and care the homeowner normally would. To ensure you are covering all the bases when pet sitting I would suggest having a look at our pet sitter instructions document. This has dozens of questions which will ensure you have all the information to care the animals correctly. See the pet sitter instructions document.

Care For The Pet’s Physical Needs

Below are just some of the responsibilities as a pet sitter has. Note this isn’t an exhaustive list but some of the basic needs that need to be attended to.

• Sitters will provide fresh water and food for the pets.
• If the pet needs medication, the sitter will administer it.
• They often will take the dog out to use the restroom.
• For animals that don’t go outside for the restroom, the sitter will clean up after them. They may need to clean a litter box or a cage.
• Sitters may need to do an exercise routine with the pets. Different animals will need different types of exercise.
• Some animals will need to be groomed. 
• In an emergency, a pet sitter may need to bring the pet to the veterinarian’s office.

Care For The Pet’s Mental Needs

Sitters will use their knowledge of animal behavior to determine what the pets need.
Many animals need to be stimulated. Perhaps the sitter will play a game with them or take them for a walk.
Some animals will just need extra love and affection.

Communicate With The Owners

Sitters will also communicate with the owners. This is to ensure that the pets are receiving the care they need.

What Qualifications Does A Pet Sitter Need?

A pet sitter should be an animal lover who has experience with the daily care of animals. They should also be responsible and professional. Anyone providing pet-sitting services should have experience with animals or be willing to work.

If you have a good work ethic and attitude, you’re on the way to being a successful entrepreneur. If you understand how to take care of pets, you should consider becoming a pet sitter.

Experience with a wide range of animals is useful. However, if you only plan to work with dogs and cats, you don’t need experience with horses and lizards.

There are some trainings and certifications that you can participate in. This will show clients that you are trustworthy.

Do Pet Sitters Also Care For The House?

Some people will hire house sitters. House sitters will perform the duties of a pet sitter, but also care for the house. Maybe house sitters will water plants, stay with the pets overnight, or mow the grass.

If you’re interested in caring for more than pets, you may want to consider house-sitting, as well.

If you’re interested in becoming a pet sitter, you should consider it. It’s a fun way to make extra money! And you get to spend so much time with sweet pets!