The ultimate pet sitter checklist: essentials and to-dos

Updated 28 Aug 2024

If your vacation’s booked and you’ve secured your pet sitter, you’re in the right place, fellow pet parent. Here we present to you the ultimate pet sitter checklist, covering everything you’ll need to consider, prepare and organize before the arrival of your sitter - the ultimate guide on how to prepare for a house sitter. 

From the main supplies to key information, find everything you need to get organized before your pets and home are cared for by the sitter you’ve chosen. 

And if you’re simply here to get organized but you haven’t quite secured your pet sitter yet, take a look below to find out how welcoming a sitter with TrustedHousesitters works.

Pet sitter checklist

• Complete your welcome guide
• Gather your important documents
• Make an emergency plan
• Stock up on essential pet supplies
• Sort your pet’s medication
• Make a feeding schedule
• Make a daily schedule for your pet
• Provide your pet’s information
• Make a list of house rules
• Stock up on cleaning supplies
• Make a list of house must-knows
• Leave pet potty instructions
• Prepare your pets for a sitter
• Prepare your home

Complete your welcome guide

First things first, as an owner member with TrustedHousesitters, sharing the right information your sitter needs is simple. 

The welcome guide you’ll complete via your dashboard acts as a pet sitter information sheet and can be filled out at any time, and shared with your sitter once you’ve confirmed one. 

It’s one way to ensure your sitter has all the information they need, including: 

• Essential documents;
• Emergency details;
• Feeding schedules;
• Toys;
• Pet habits;
• And more!

If you’re curious for more detail on what you’ll need to prepare for your sit handover, check out our pet sitter checklist below before filling out your welcome guide.

Gather your important documents

One of the most important things to note in this pet sitter checklist is to make sure you’ve got all your pets’ important documents to hand. Put them in a folder or take photos and send them to your sitter. The must-have documents to check off your pet sitter checklist are below.

• Immunization records
• Any other medical records
• Microchip information and contact details
• Insurance card and any pet insurance paperwork
• An up-to-date photo of your pet, clearly showing what they look like
• Your contact details and back-up contact details in case you can’t be reached

Make an emergency plan

Another vital element of your pet sitter checklist is to make an emergency plan. See below for the key information your sitter will need in case of an emergency.

• Your vet’s contact information
• Emergency vet details 
• Insurance information and/or insurance card
• Where your animal carrier is located (along with tips to settle your pet in this)
• Contact details and cell phone number of a trusted neighbor as an emergency contact
• Another copy of the microchip information, along with that clear photo of your pet 
• Warn your vet you’ll be having a sitter
• Leave your payment details with your vet so that your sitter doesn’t have to pay anything upfront
• Decide what you’d like to happen should your pet go missing or have an accident
• Provide information about where your furry friend might be if suspected missing

Stock up on essential pet sitting supplies

In this checklist for a dog sitter or cat sitter (or other!), consider storing the pet supplies in a central location so that everything is easy to find.

• Food
• Treats
• Poop bags
• Spare litter
• Medication
• Pet health
• Leash
• Collar
• Harnesses
• Bed and bedding
• Grooming equipment, such as a brush, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste
• Favorite toys and comforters
• Cleaning products 
• Items for outdoor adventures, from car harnesses to leads to favorite throwing toys
• Pet carrier
• ID tags

Pet medication

If your pet is on any kind of medication, you’ll need to tick off this section of our pet sitter checklist. Along with the medication itself, you’ll need to provide additional information on administering it, so check out this pet care checklist if your pet is on any medication at the moment.

• Medication name
• What it treats
• Dosage
• How to administer the medication
• Instructions on where to find them (as they’ll be hidden from your pet)
• Tips on comforting the pet 
• How to top up on medication if needed

Our members also have access to TrustedHousesitters' 24/7 Vet Advice Line while on a sit. Your sitter will be able to get expert advice, whenever it’s needed.

Pet health

• Does your pet have any allergies?
• Does your pet suffer from any medical conditions?
• Prepare any medical records that would be helpful for your sitter
• Does your pet suffer from anxiety?
• What tends to settle your pet’s anxiety?

Your pet’s feeding schedule

Whether it’s a dog sitter info sheet, dog care checklist or you’re filling out your welcome guide, your sitter will need to know your pet’s feeding schedule.

• Do they have breakfast, lunch and dinner?
• What time do they eat?
• How much to feed at each meal?
• Where is their food located?
• Where are the treats kept? 
• How many treats are they allowed each day?
• Is your pet allowed any human foods?
• Which foods are forbidden?
• Is there any extra information about feeding your sitter should know?

Your pet’s daily schedule

Any pet sitter instructions template should include your pet’s daily schedule. Explore below for a cat and dog sitter checklist to make sure your furry family member is getting the pet care they need, and your sitter is sticking to your cat and dog’s daily routines.

• When should they be walked?
• How long should walks be?
• How long should they play during the day?
• What time should they be woken up?
• When is their bed time?
• What is their training schedule?
• Do they need alone time throughout the day?
• When does the cat go out during the day?
• When should they expect the cat to return home?

Pet information

Along with the essential information covered so far in this pet sitter checklist, explore extra pet information your sitter will benefit from knowing.

• Does your pet have any behavioral issues?
• What tends to calm your pet down?
• What is your pet like with other animals?
• Can your dog be let off the leash?
• Is your cat likely to bring home prey?
• What are your pets’ favorite toys?
• Does your pet like listening to music?
• Is there anything your pet dislikes?
• What is your dog’s recall like? Leave instructions for your dog sitter if they’re allowed off the leash.
• Are there any household objects that trigger unwanted behavior?
• Is your pet friendly towards other people and children?
• Are there any other pet quirks your sitter should know about?

Make a list of house rules

• Where are your pets allowed in the house?
• When is your dog allowed outside?
• Are your pets allowed on the beds and couch?
• Is your cat allowed outside?
• Can your rabbit roam the house?
• Is your sitter allowed visitors?
• Are there any other house rules your sitter should know about?

Stock up on cleaning supplies

Tick off this section of our pet sitter checklist to make sure your home and pets are kept clean while you’re away.

For your pets…

• Dog shampoo
• Dog soap
• Towels
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush

For your home…

• Bleach
• Toilet cleaning equipment
• Disinfectant sprays
• Antibacterial sprays
• Washing up liquid
• Dishwasher tablets
• Duster
• Vacuum cleaner

Make a list of house must-knows

Follow this pet sitter instructions template to make sure your home is looked after while you’re away.

• When are the bins collected?
• How are items recycled?
• Is there a food waste bin?
• Where is the wifi router?
• What’s the wifi password?
• Are there any alarm systems in place? How does it work?
• Is there parking available?
• Will any of your vehicles be used by your sitter?
• How will the cost of topping up essentials be covered?
• Where is the electrical panel?
• Leave instructions on how to use appliances. 
• Where are the appliance manuals kept?
• Are there any spare keys? Where are they kept?
• Are there any house quirks your sitter should know about?

Responsibilities & expectations

Aside from giving your pets the care they need and maintaining your home to the standard it was left in, you’ll need to communicate your expectations of your sitter.

• Is there anything specific that needs to be maintained in the home?
• What is the plant watering schedule?
• Do any plants need special care?
• What are your preferences for post collection?
• Will they need to take care of the swimming pool?
• Are there any pet appointments, like vet check-ups or the groomers booked in?
• How will the sitter be reimbursed for covering costs of any essentials, such as emergency vet appointments?
• How much communication do you expect from your sitter while you’re away? Would you like daily updates?
• What are the end of sit arrangements?

Leave pet potty instructions

• How often does your pet need to be let outside to poop?
• Where does your pet usually poop?
• Is there a pooper scooper?
• How often should your cat’s litter be changed?
• Does your cat prefer to be alone to poop?
• Is there anything else your sitter should know about your pets’ potty habits?

Prepare your pets

Leaving your pooch or feline friend with a sitter is the best thing for them, but it can be daunting. So, tick off this pet sitter checklist before you leave your pet at home.

• Have people round to get your pet used to having others in your home.
• Meet with your sitter first to get the pair introduced.
• Continue to welcome sitters to get your pet used to it.
• De-worming and de-fleaing.
• Have a grooming appointment (claw trim, a good wash, fur trim, dematting).
• Make sure vaccinations and microchip details are up to date.
• Prepare a pheromone plug.
• Leave something that smells of you in their bed.
• Make your departure a non-event.

Prepare your home

It’s important to prep your home ahead of your pet sit, as your sitter will be expected to leave it as they found it. See below for a pet sitter checklist on preparing your home ahead of the sit.

• Clean your home thoroughly. 
• Take out any trash and perishable food items.
• Free up some wardrobe and bathroom space so your sitter can unpack and get settled.
• Check the Wifi is working.
• Securely lock away anything that’s potentially dangerous, including yard chemicals, rat poison and chocolate.
• Shut the doors to any rooms the pets can’t go in (and leave a note).
• Block up any pet escape routes (attic, basement, gaps in the fence).
• Make sure the gates are secure.
• If you have a pet flap, is it working and set correctly?
• Put the handover notes and boxes of animal supplies in an obvious place, along with any spare keys.

Tips on preparing your home from super sitter and member, Karen

Hear from someone who’s been there, done that (with over 50 sits completed, and counting) - Karen Schuppert - on preparing your home for a sitter, hot off the press from our community forum.

“It is a wonderful gesture to invite the sitter/s into your home the night before whenever possible, especially if they are traveling from out of town. This ensures a thorough handover and time to answer any questions which might arise once on site. 

When time allows, a prepared meal is so appreciated and allows for both parties to connect on many levels. We have made lifelong friends through this generous act of hospitality.

Also important is for some space to be cleared in the bedroom for clothes, and refrigerator for food. On that note, it’s nice to know what food items are encouraged to be eaten and/or anything that is off limits. 

It can be a tad sensitive but oftentimes I ask that any food which could spoil during the sit be previously frozen or consumed before departure.

As hosts, we offer our sitters a small token of gratitude such as bottle of wine as a gift but certainly not required (we are from Napa, after all). And we leave a small amount of cash for unpredictable emergencies.

In the Welcome Guide we review all household details such as heating, TV operation (remotes, etc.) but often times it’s best to see them in action. This is where connecting in person is also beneficial.”

So, fellow pet parent, you’re all set! Bookmark this pet sitter checklist or print it out and store it somewhere safe. And if you’re simply here to get ahead of the game but you haven’t secured your next pet sitter yet, explore sitters below to get started.

Tips from our members

Now that you’ve saved this handy pet sitter checklist, why not take a look at tips from no less than our members, on preparing for your sitter? Our community forum is a treasure trove of advice from homeowners and pet sitters, so be sure to check it out if you haven’t already.

• “Some hosts build in an extra overlap day when listing their dates for their own peace of mind, if the sitter is arriving from a distance by public transport incase of flight delays etc.” - @Silversitters
• “The more specific and detailed a HO’s listing is the better” - @sharondc
• “Write in your (welcome) guide what is off limits and what isn’t, and if you have any expectations - i.e replace what you use” - @B1anca
• “I do think it’s important for sitters to know what living with our dog looks like and then make a decision if they’d like it or not” - @CatsandDog

Useful resources

• Foods dogs can and can’t eat
• 6 things to avoid for a successful listing
• How to connect with pet sitters
• What to look for in a pet sitter