Should You Really Leave Your Dog With Your Pet Sitter

BY | October 12 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY
Should You Really Leave Your Dog With Your Pet Sitter

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Leaving your dog behind while going away on vacation can be a difficult ordeal. Especially when itโ€™s a business trip and thereโ€™s absolutely no way of bringing him along. When you leave him with a pet sitter, heโ€™s in an environment that heโ€™s comfortable with and that tends to put him more at ease. Here are a few pros and cons for pet sitters so you can decide for yourself whether leaving your dog with one is a good idea.

Pros For A Pet Sitter

  1. Your dog remains in his own environment and this relieves some of his stress.
  2. Your dog will have his regular routine and eat his own regular food. A sudden change in diet (change of dog food brands, or an addition of new treats) can often lead to gastrointestinal problems.
  3. You have someone to take care of the house. He can get your mail and even make your home look occupied. That tends to confuse robbers.
  4. You can sometimes even find someone that can stay at your home while taking care of your pet. By finding an in-house pet sitter, youโ€™re giving your dog someone to play with while youโ€™re away. There are various levels of service that are available.
  5. Pet sitters are trained in emergency medical procedures so your dog is in good hands even if something needing medical attention happens.

Cons For A Pet Sitter

  1. Your pet sitter will be at your house, invading your privacy. Some people arenโ€™t comfortable with this.
  2. The price can get pretty hefty. Professional pet sitting agencies charge extra for their services. If youโ€™re looking for a low-budget pet sitter, try talking to a trusted family member or friend.
  3. Some pet sitters prefer to bring your dog to their place for care. They have to take care of your dog, and still complete family and work commitments. A whole new environment without you in it might be uncomfortable and stressful for your dog.
  4. When your family pet sits for you, they arenโ€™t doing it because itโ€™s their job, they are doing it as a favor to you. That means they wonโ€™t be as thorough with your dogโ€™s care as a professional sitter.
  5. If you choose the wrong person to pet sit, they might bring other people to your house and exploit your trust.

Regardless of whether you choose a pet sitter, a friend, or a kennel agency, remember to give them clear instructions on what food to feed him, any medications to be mindful of, and what you expect as physical activity for your dog. Make sure you also provide them with clear contact information in case of an emergency. Dogs are pretty adaptable creatures. So they will cope, even in your absence.

Tips To Select A Good Pet Sitter

The main job of a pet sitter is to look after your pet when youโ€™re not at home. A qualified pet sitter should know the feeding, grooming, and lifestyle habits of your pet and also what to do during an emergency. Selecting a good pet sitter should be important for you because animals donโ€™t often show the same behavior towards strangers as humans do. If youโ€™re looking for a good pet sitter, then you should consider the following tips before choosing the right one.

#1 Friendly behavior

A good pet sitter should be able to exhibit friendly behavior towards your pet. Your pet should also be comfortable around that person. Some pets are fussy and apart from their owner they donโ€™t mix well with others. If you think someone is a good candidate for a pet sitter, then have your pet mix with that person in your presence. See how things work out and then you can decide.

#2 Fun personality

No one likes being around a dull person. Then why should your pet? Look for someone who is fun to be around and someone who can have fun with your pet. Ardent animal lovers are usually the best candidate for the job because they enjoy being around animals and know how to have fun with them.

#3 legal documents

If you are planning to hire a pet sitter from a professional company, then make sure they have proper documents like insurance and bonding. Also, inquire around to confirm that the company is legit and has been in business for some time.

#4 Reputation

Itโ€™s a good idea to hire someone who has some amount of experience doing this job. Handling animals can be difficult and even irritating but true professionals know their job and they know when to do what.

#5 Veterinary background

Having a background in veterinary is not mandatory but is a plus. It comes in handy when your pet falls sick or when he requires emergency medical care. Of course, a good pet sitter will rush your pet to a vet if a medical emergency arises but itโ€™s to know that your pet is constantly under the care of someone who knows how to handle pet health issues.

Conclusion

If you stay away from your pet for long hours, then finding a good pet sitter should be of importance. A good pet sitter should be friendly and should know your petโ€™s lifestyle like eating habits, playing time, pooping, and sleeping. If youโ€™re planning to hire a professional pet sitter, then make sure he/she is reputed and has done this before. Having a veterinary background is not must but itโ€™s a good thing if the pet sitter has one.

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