A calm, confident pet sitter who has everything they need provides a genuinely better experience for your dog. A sitter scrambling to find the food, unsure about medication timing, and without an emergency vet contact is a stressed sitter, and dogs detect that stress reliably. This complete checklist covers everything you need to prepare and communicate before leaving your dog in someone else's care.
Before the Sitter Arrives: Preparation Checklist
- Arrange a meet-and-greet visit before your first absence so your dog knows the sitter before you leave
- Print a care sheet (see below) and leave it in a visible location
- Stock enough food and treats for the full stay plus two extra days
- Confirm medication supply is adequate and refill prescriptions in advance if needed
- Walk the sitter through the house personally on their first day
- Test all keys, gates, and access codes in advance
- Check all fences and gates for gaps, damage, or latches that a dog could work open
- Remove or secure any hazardous items (toxic plants, cleaning products, human medications)
- Leave adequate cleaning supplies and poo bags in obvious locations
- Confirm your return date, approximate time, and how to reach you if delayed
The Care Sheet: What to Include
Print this as a single page and leave it somewhere the sitter will see it every day.
Feeding and Water
- Food brand, type (wet, dry, raw), and exact amount per meal
- Feeding times and number of meals per day
- Any foods that are strictly off-limits or that cause adverse reactions
- Treat allowances and any treat restrictions
- Whether your dog drinks from a bowl only or uses a fountain
- Whether water should be filtered or tap
Medications and Health
- Medication name, dose, and exact timing (with food or without, morning or evening)
- How to administer each medication (hidden in food, given directly, applied topically)
- Any known allergies with specific reaction description
- Recent health issues or conditions the sitter should monitor
- Signs that should trigger a vet call (pre-agreed with your vet for your dog's specific conditions)
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Primary Vet
Name, address, phone, and your account/patient reference number. Opening hours included.
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Emergency Vet
Nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital address and phone. Pre-researched, not googled in a crisis.
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Your Contact
Cell phone, destination phone if applicable, and a second emergency contact who can make decisions.
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Pet ID
Microchip number, insurance provider and policy number, and a recent photo of your dog.
Exercise and Routine
- Number and approximate length of walks per day
- Preferred walking routes or areas to avoid (traffic, other dogs, etc.)
- Whether your dog is reliable off-lead or should always be on a lead
- Play preferences and favorite toys
- Usual bedtime and morning wake-up time
- Where your dog sleeps and whether this should be maintained
Behavior and House Rules
- Furniture access: which rooms and furniture the dog is allowed on
- Areas that are strictly off-limits
- Known behavioral quirks: resource guarding, reactivity triggers, fearful stimuli
- How your dog behaves with strangers at the door
- Words or cues your dog knows and responds to
- Any commands specifically used to prevent unwanted behavior
- What to do if your dog has an accident indoors
House and Access Information
- Wi-Fi network and password
- Alarm codes and any special entry instructions
- Bin day and any household tasks you are asking the sitter to maintain
- Neighbor contacts in case of need
- Location of fuse box, stopcock, and first aid kit
- Any appliances with quirks the sitter needs to know about
Tip: Do a Test Run Before Your First Long Trip
Before your first overnight absence, arrange a 4 to 6 hour daytime trial where the sitter looks after your dog while you are nearby but not home. This exposes any gaps in the care sheet, gives your dog a positive first experience with the sitter without the full stress of an overnight absence, and gives you confidence in the arrangement before committing to a longer trip.
Related Guides on PetSymptoms
What information should I leave for my pet sitter?
Your sitter needs: feeding schedule with exact amounts and food type, water requirements, medication instructions with doses and timing, daily exercise routine, house rules (allowed on furniture, areas that are off-limits), behavioral quirks and how to handle them, primary vet contact, nearest emergency vet address and phone number, your contact details and a backup contact, Wi-Fi password and any access codes they need, and your return date and arrival time.
Should I leave written instructions for my dog sitter?
Yes, always in writing, not just verbally. Verbal instructions are forgotten, misremembered, or partially passed on if your sitter is working with a colleague. A printed one-page care sheet that lives in an obvious place (kitchen counter, fridge door) is far more reliable than a text message conversation. Update it each time you leave rather than reusing an outdated version.
How do I prepare my house for a pet sitter?
Before your sitter's first visit: walk them through the house personally, show them where food, medications, leads, poo bags, and cleaning supplies are stored. Ensure hazardous items (cleaning chemicals, certain houseplants, medications) are inaccessible to your dog. Leave fresh food and supplies sufficient for the full stay plus a day's buffer. Check that all locks, gates, and escape routes are secure. Leave cash or a card for emergency supplies if needed.
What should I do if my dog does not like the pet sitter?
Arrange at least one introductory meeting between your sitter and your dog before your first absence. Anxiety about a stranger is common and usually resolves with consistent, positive contact over one to two visits. Ask the sitter to let your dog approach on its own terms rather than reaching in or looming over the dog. If after two or three visits your dog remains clearly distressed in the sitter's presence, that sitter is not the right match for your dog, and finding a better-suited alternative is genuinely in your dog's interest.