IN HOME PETSITTING

ADVANTAGES OF HIRING A PET SITTER

HIRING A PET SITTER

No pet owner would like to leave their pets at home without any companion when they go out of town. However, these situations cannot be avoided since taking your pet along with you sometimes cannot be possible. In such cases, hiring a pet sitter is the best option for you and your pets.

ADVANTAGES OF CHOOSING A PET SITTER

PETS STAY AT HOME

The first-ever advantage of choosing a pet sitter is that your pets can stay in their own home and can stick to their own routine. No need to change something. Depending on your pets’ characters, they might find staying in a boarding facility really stressful. Hiring a pet sitter can avoid this instance and you will be able to relax while you are away and your pets won’t get stressed and nervous.

REDUCED RISK OF GETTING SICK

If you choose to leave your pets in a boarding facility, they are more likely to get sick due to exposure to other animals who probably are infected. This is usually called “bordetella” which is common for dogs since they come back with highly contagious symptoms that include fever, lethargy, and cough. This is an upper respiratory infection that will require you to visit a veterinarian and would prescribe you antibiotics for your dogs. If you leave your pets with a sitter, you will be able to avoid this risk.

STRESS-FREE EXPERIENCE

Like us, human beings, our dear pets can experience separation anxiety too when they are away from us. This is more likely to happen when they are left in a boarding facility and separation anxiety is commonly experienced by rescued pets. Even though most boarding facilities have quality playtime for your pets that can relieve anxiety, a pet sitter can provide them with more attention since they are only focused on your pet. With this, they will feel less stressed out.

MINIMAL-FREE EXPERIENCE

Pets can feel stress whenever their atmosphere and schedule change. When you leave them in a boarding facility, they will feed and care for your pets according to their schedule. When you hire a pet sitter instead, you can inform them of your pet’s own schedule and they will follow it accordingly. Then can feed your pets, and take them for walks and other activities based on their own schedule. Doing this and keeping them on their own schedule will help them feel calmer.

INCREASED COMMUNICATION

One more advantage of hiring a pet sitter is increased communication. Hiring a pet sitter will provide you with updates through emails, text messages, or personal calls. You can have peace of mind and will help you relax while you are away.

PET SITTERS CAN MULTITASK

When you hire a pet sitter, they will be able to do other household chores while you are away. Then can, of course, take care of your pets while they also take care of your house. Leaving your home with a pet sitter can also avoid thefts. They can also check the mail, water the lawn and do small household tasks if needed. This is for an added fee of course. But, this is another good option for you when you hire a pet sitter. We suggest discussing this with your pet sitter if you decide to let her/him do other things like household chores.

YOUR PET IS IN GOOD HANDS

When you hire a professional pet sitter, we assure you that your pets are in good hands. Professional pet sitters are certified by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. This means that they have complete knowledge of the health and behavior of pets and have received first aid training. The first aid training they have received would help them know the difference between emergency and non-emergency situations and they would also know how to react. The complete attention they would provide for your pets would let them notice your pets’ unusual behavior and will be able to act on it immediately.

CUSTOMIZABLE SERVICE

Hiring a professional pet sitter can help you determine the level of service that would suit the needs of your pets. If the health of your dog only permits a few walks per day or if he is more comfortable having someone stay with him the whole night, the pet sitter can measure their services to you and your pet’s needs.

FLEXIBILITY

You can hire your pet sitter anytime. In instances like you’re having a busy work week, your hired professional pet sitter can come by in the afternoon to give your dog a walk. Another thing is that if you’re going out of town for a long time, you can absolutely rely on them and that you are sure that your pets are well taken care of.

IT'S CONVENIENT!

Hiring a professional pet sitter would not require you to transport your pets to a facility, dropping them off and picking them up at a specific time. Also, it would not require you to have your neighbor, friend, or relative check in on your house while you are away.

PET SITTER VS. TRAVEL

Many of our dear pets fear traveling so it is not ideal to take them on vacation with you. They are not used to new surroundings, also fear change and experience anxiety. Leaving them with a pet sitter is a better solution than bringing them to travel with you.

PET SITTER VS. FRIEND OR RELATIVE

Remember that a friend or a relative would not be a good choice to leave your pets with since they probably are not as experienced as a pet sitter. If they insist on taking care of your pets while you are away, ask them questions such as: Will you remember to care for them, walk them and feed them on schedule? Do you have experience in taking care of pets when they are sick? Even if they are offering to take care of your pets for free, it is still much better to hire a professional so that you will have peace of mind and can also relax while you are away.

THINGS TO ASK YOUR PET SITTER:

• Ask them if will they come to your home before your departure to meet you and your pets.
• Ask them how they will communicate with you during your absence. Will it be through email, text, or call?
• Ask them why the pet sitter does this for a living.
• Lastly, ask them what other services do they offer such as mail and package retrieval, light rotation, or even plant watering.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A PET SITTER'S SKILLSET

A professional pet sitter will meet with you at your home to discuss all your pet care and home care needs. During the free consultation, your sitter will ask questions about feeding, medicine, and exercise schedules. In addition, the pet care professional will want to learn about any behavioral issues your pet may have (food or leash aggression, shyness, fear, reactivity), behavior habits, potty habits, and any other aspects that make your pet a unique being. The sitter will also provide you with peace of mind by taking the time to answer your questions, providing you with a service contract that clearly explains the pet sitter/client relationship, and being detail-oriented.

Of course, not every pet sitter is reliable and you should do a background check on them through references.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GREAT PET SITTER

Here are some characteristics that you should look for when you choose the best pet sitter for your furry friends:

KNOWLEDGEABLE, SKILLED, AND CALMNESS

You should hire a pet care professional with a calm demeanor since pets will act in different and unexpected ways that can make them impatient or angry. If you hire a pet sitter who is calm, can maintain composure in this kind of situation and does not lose their temper, it would make the situation a better experience for both you and your pets.

RESPONSIBLE AND TRUSTWORTHY

If you hire a pet sitter, the person would likely be alone in your home. It is essential to hire someone you can absolutely trust so we greatly suggest running background checks on the person before you hire them. Another thing to consider is that they should also be responsible. Professional pet sitters can be reliable and will take responsibility for their work. This is their career or their small business so they take it very seriously and with all their dedication. You can be in great hands since they will take care of your pets to the best of their abilities. You cannot find this dedication when you are hiring an amateur pet sitter so we suggest hiring a professional one.

TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED

Keep in mind that you should hire a professional pet sitter who also has the right kind of experience. It is better if you hire someone who has experience with pets who are sick in case your pets have illnesses or have a current medical condition. You would want to hire someone who has dealt with pets in the same situation. Furthermore, professional pet sitters understand the different personalities, needs, and quirks of your pets and they will know how to gauge and measure their services based on their experiences.

MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

If you hired a professional pet sitter, you chose someone who can properly administer medication to your dogs or cats and they would also know how to look for signs of illness. If you hire an amateur pet sitter, they will more likely miss the warning signs.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HIRING A LONG-TERM PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER?

Of course, you want to make sure that your pets would be just as comfortable and happy as you are while you’re away and you can’t take your pets with you. You may ask a favor from your friend or your neighbor to look after your pet. Although they are your friends, they may be unreliable in taking care of your pets.

YOU WILL HAVE A VALUABLE RELATIONSHIP BASED ON TRUST AND CARE

You don’t want to trust an unreliable stranger and leave your pets to them. We know that trust is developed over time. This is the same trust you give to your hairstylist and your mechanic. They know your own taste and your car. You would also want a pet sitter who would know your pet’s needs and comforts. When you work with a long-term pet sitter, it can create a connection and friendship who can care for your pet as enthusiastically as you do. They can become one of your family too.

YOUR PETS WILL BE MORE COMFORTABLE AND HAPPIER AROUND THE SAME SITTER OR TEAM OF SITTERS

Both cats and gods live based on their habits. They are used to being around their family and their owners and some can be wary around new people and strangers. They can be unpredictable even to you when they are exposed to new people. If you hire the same professional pet sitter, your beloved pets can see them as friends who are paying a visit. They won’t have a hard time adjusting to each person when you hire a long-term professional pet sitter. The good outcome of this is they will be even excited to play with them and receive treats from the same person.

YOUR PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER KNOWS YOUR PETS AND YOUR HOMES BY HEART

A professional pet sitter and when they enter through your door, they will immediately ask questions about your pets. They would also ask for your service preferences in taking care of your furry friends, and your home.

They will offer time to learn your pet’s personalities, their likes, dislikes, fears, and the best ways to comfort them while you are away. Your pet care professional will make sure that treatments are done in the right way and they will administer proper attention if your pet has medical issues.

They will also ensure that they closely follow their feeding and medication schedules. You can also relax while your sitter watches over your home. They can take care of small problems and can alert you if there are any huge issues that need your attention. Both your pet and your home will be taken care of by someone with who you can be comfortable.

SAVE TIME AND MONEY

A professional pet sitter will of course charge you more than a friend or a stranger from an app. However, you will be saving money as time passes by. This can be a good investment. Hiring a long-term professional sitter will not require you to browse the internet, call businesses, and schedule meetings to find a new pet sitter every time you leave. You won’t have to worry anymore while you are gone when you have a trusted professional. You also don’t have to come home to any surprises that may add up to more charges for you.

RESULTS AND BENEFITS FOR THE PET OWNERS

• Hiring a professional pet sitter can also help you have peace of mind knowing that your pets are well taken care of with a schedule designed by you.
• You do not have the worry and trouble of getting your pets and supplies to a boarding facility.
• If you hire a professional pet sitter, you are confident that they will be able to handle all situations that may take place.
• The professional sitter will take your pets to a veterinarian when they need medical care.
• Your home will also be taken care of.
• Your home will be free from possible thefts since your professional pet sitter will regularly visit your home.
• You do not have to ask your neighbor, friend, or relative for a favor.
• You will be welcomed by healthy pets and well taken care of home when you come back.