Pet sitting is a great way to earn some extra money, and it’s also a great way to lend your services to friends and acquaintances who might need some occasional help.
Thankfully, with most pet sitting jobs, the requirements are pretty straightforward: ensure that the animal(s) is well-fed, happy, and has gotten exercise or playtime during the day.
You’ll also be expected to keep an eye on them while they’re alone in their home so that you can keep them safe and secure.
The job itself isn’t very complicated—but make sure you bring your attention to detail along with you!
Making yourself welcome
When you’re a pet sitter, you must make yourself welcome. There are plenty of ways to do this:
- Be friendly and respectful when greeting other people in the home (whether they have pets or not). If you’ll be meeting any family members or roommates, introduce yourself and ask them what activities they’d like you to do with their pet throughout your stay. This is especially important if you care for someone else’s dog or cat—you don’t want them feeling neglected!
- If there’s a dog present, make sure that he knows who you are by saying hello (or some other pleasantry) as soon as he sees you enter his home; this will help him feel more comfortable around strangers in his territory later on down the line! You don’t need any special training skills either—just be yourself! That being said…
- Do not try making friends with every single animal at once unless asked beforehand by one of their owners first because this could potentially lead them into danger (both physically and emotionally). When interacting with dogs especially, remember that some breeds may be territorial, so make sure nothing gets broken during playtime sessions
A good pet sitter will leave their ego and judgment at the door!
A good pet sitter will always put the needs of the pet first. They will respect your home and belongings, but they also won’t let their ego get in the way.
If you ask them to do something that may seem offbeat or unusual, a good pet sitter will not make fun of or judge you for it—they’ll simply do as you ask because they want their job to be as enjoyable for both parties involved.
A great example is when we were asked to feed one dog three different types of food (two diets were prescription). The owners had gone out of town for two weeks and wanted us to fill in until they returned.
We did just that! It was a bit time-consuming at first while we learned what each diet was and how much to feed each mealtime, but after that initial learning curve passed, everything went smoothly without any issues whatsoever!
Keep the lines of communication open
When you are a pet sitter, be sure to ask the owner how they want to be contacted. Make sure you have both email and a phone number so you can reach out if there’s an emergency.
Petsitters need to keep in touch with their clients to update them on how things are going at home while they’re away.
Staying organized
Keep a notebook of pets’ medical information. This is a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget things like the name and dosage of a dog’s heartworm medication or the cat’s thyroid medicine. Keeping a notebook with this information handy will help you stay organized and give you peace of mind if something goes wrong.
Keep track of medications and dosages, food and feeding schedule, daily routine, and favorite toys/treats at home in case of any emergencies with a pet.
Pet sitting is a job that carries an incredible amount of responsibility
As a pet sitter, you are now responsible for caring for another person’s pet. This is a solemn responsibility and should never be taken lightly.
A pet sitting client trusts you not only with their pet but also with their property, so it’s essential to keep the house clean and tidy and ensure the safety and well-being of their beloved animals.
You’ll want to ensure that your clients know that you take this job seriously so they can trust you with everything related to their home or business–and most importantly, their pets!
Conclusion
Pet sitting is one of the most rewarding types of jobs, but it can also be very challenging. This is why it’s important to pay attention to the animals’ needs and welcome yourself when you enter someone’s home. The best way for a pet sitter to succeed in their job is by taking care of pets first and foremost, then ensuring everything else is taken care of for them.