Pet Sitter Instructions (Printable Templates)

Are you leaving your animals with a pet sitter? We’ve created a pet sitter instructions template so everything runs smoothly while you’re gone. Providing comprehensive instructions for your house sitter ensures they can properly care for your pet and show them a good time.

I developed these templates with over seven years of pet-sitting experience. After caring for 70+ homes in 12 countries, I have a good idea of the sort of information you need on a house-sitting assignment. I want to share this with you to ensure you have the best experience, whether you are a house sitter or homeowner.

Pet Sitter Instructions Template (Printable)

Below are the instruction templates you can download and print. We have created one for house sitters and one for homeowners.

If you would prefer to make your own, see your tips below on what you should include.

Dog Sitter Instructions Template – For Home Owners – click here to download

Dog Sitter Instructions Template – For House Sitters – click here to download

What to Include Your Pet Sitter Instructions Template

Below are some of the things you should include in your instructions.

Your Information

Include your contact details, such as your cell phone number, address, and email address. 

Your Choice for Emergency Contact 

You should include an emergency contact list of people who could help if you can’t be reached. For example, an alternate contact might be your neighbor or family member who is familiar with your pet. 

Note: If you’re a homeowner and want to know how to find a housesitter to care for your animals like their own, we have some great tips for you.

Your Veterinarian’s Information

Something could go wrong while you’re away. Perhaps your pet becomes ill or accidentally injures themselves.

Share your veterinarian’s information, including their name, address, and contact info. This ensures your pup can get proper care in case of emergencies.

Outdoor Activity and Play

Your checklist should provide details of your pup’s daily routines, including their daily walk and exercise schedule. 

This includes their daily walk and exercise schedule. 

• How often do you take your dog for a walk, and during what times of the day?
  
• Share their favorite walking spots. Do they like to go to the nearby dog park?
  
• Are there any special instructions for how they walk? For example, you may command your pup to sit at crosswalks or keep them on a tight leash around other dogs. 
  
• Tell your dog sitter all about their favorite games and toys. For example, they might love to play tug-o-war or fetch out in the yard. 

Food and Treats 

Dogs are known for being food-motivated, so they’ll appreciate having their regular eating routine. Provide the proper feeding instructions to your sitter.

List down details about their daily food intake: 

• What brand and type of pet food should you feed your dog? Share the amount of wet food and dry food they receive. 
  
• What times of day do you feed your pup?
  
• Any allergies or food restrictions?
  
• The number of treats your dog gets per day

Medications 

Your pet sitter should know how to administer medicine in the correct dosages to your dog. Include the name of the medication, how to administer it, the dosage amount, frequency, and where you keep it. 

Pet Behavior 

Leave essential details about your pet and its behavior. For example, do they bark whenever someone walks near the house? Or maybe they tend to bite on random objects. Let your dog sitter know any quirks or particular behaviors, so they know what to expect. 

Training Commands 

Energetic dogs can be challenging to deal with, especially for a stranger. Help your dog sitter by providing them with commands to help you’re doggo listen to them. 

You may use commands like “leave it” or “off” to get them to leave something alone. This is a great way to earn their dog’s trust, get their attention away from another dog while walking, or prevent your pooch from eating things off the ground. 

Cleaning Up

In case of accidents, make sure to include where the cleaning supplies, poop bags, and other pet supplies are located. Accidents can happen occasionally, especially if your dog is anxious around strangers. If your pet has an accident, provide proper disposal instructions on how to clean up after it. 

Rules

Every animal has unique behavior. Over time, you may have trained your pet to behave a certain way. However, if you’re away, your pup might be tempted to revert to its bad habits. 

For example, are they banned from the couch or sleeping on your bed? Or maybe they have to sleep in the crate at night. 

House Information 

If you’re going on a vacation, you wouldn’t want to be bombarded with questions about the WiFi password or how to turn on the AC unit. Provide any additional house-related instructions they’ll need, such as: 

• how to turn on the air conditioner
• the WiFi network and password
• trash and recycling details 
• You may give them access to other vital instructions such as bath, kitchen, and laundry appliances. 
• Provide details on how to enter and exit your home. Maybe there is a security code on the lock they would have to enter, or you can tell them how to access the front gate of your house. 

Additional Documentation  

In addition to the instructions document, you may want to include other necessary documentation that your pet sitter may need, such as: 

• pet insurance information
• copies of recent vaccination records
• dog’s microchip information
• A letter to the vet to authorize the sitter to bring your pet in for a visit

Need a PetSitter?

Here is all the information you need to find a housesitter ASAP. This is the list we give to friends and family who are looking for a sitter.

How to Prepare Your Home For a House Sitter.

So you have filled out your handover guide, it is time to prepare your home. I have made a list so you can prepare your home for a house sitter. Making sure you complete all these steps will set them up for success.

You can download your dog sitter template here.

Dog Sitter Instructions Template – For Home Owners – click here to download

Dog Sitter Instructions Template – For House Sitters – click here to download

Now that you’ve received a dog sitter instructions template complete it yourself. Well-written instructions can provide peace of mind, knowing your pooch will be in good hands. So relax and enjoy yourself while you’re out of town!