Pros and cons of pet sitting (from the horse's mouth!)

Pet sitting, it’s the best, right? Okay, so we’re slightly biased at TrustedHousesitters, but if you’ve already experienced the magic of pet sitting, you know what we mean. For those of you who are still in on the sitting fence, or others who like the idea of trying pet sitter for a short break, or for those of you who are keen to dip your toes into the world of full-time house sitting, you’ll probably want to see the full picture before making any big decisions.

The pros and cons of pet sitting will be different for each person but with a little help from our Trusted Community (you paw-some pet people, you!) and a whip round with Team Trusted people, we think we’ve come up with a pretty good list!

Let’s hear from the horse's mouth and find out paw-sitives and neigh-gatives (sorry, that last one was a bit of a stretch) of being a pet sitter. So, what are the pros and cons of pet sitting?  

Pet sit pros

Pets, pets, & pets

If you don’t know what pets are, they’re kind of the best thing in the whole world and life wouldn’t be the same without them. Yeah, those guys! Whether you’re a fan of fur or feathers, paws or claws, hooves or hoppers, fins or fangs, there’s an unlimited amount of pets to care for and befriend on TrustedHousesitters.

For animal lovers who aren’t able to have their pet, or people seeking a travel experience with some extra fluff, pet sitting is quite literally purr-fect for you. Enjoy the chilled ambiance a fish tank brings, take daily walks through the local community or countryside, or look forward to snuggling up on the couch with your pet pal at the end of the day. This is what we think of when we hear ‘creature comforts’.

Travel differently & live like a local

You have the chance to live in a real home in a real neighborhood with real people, go figure! This is an amazing opportunity to experience life as a pet parent surrounded by local cultures and activities. In some of the larger cities around the world, we can easily miss out on places that aren’t tourist hotspots. But in a home situated in the central suburbs of Athens, you can enjoy the local cuisine, dine where the Athenians dine, and still look up to the Acropolis!

Become part of a global community.

We’re all about connecting like-minded people from around the globe who all share the same passion for pets. One of the best parts of pet sitting (apart from the pets, not sure we mentioned that bit!) is the people - meeting amazing pet lovers, like you, who are opening their homes and precious pets for you to enjoy and care for. It’s a truly unique experience that creates a magical bond.

Pet sit cons

It requires trust from both parties.

This is such an important part of pet sitting with TrustedHousesitters (it’s all in the name, after all). While you, the pet sitter, have the chance to care for wonderful pets in a real home, the pet parents are opening their doors to someone they may never have met before. Some will (of course) be more comfortable with this idea than others, so making sure you build and maintain that trust from the beginning can mean going the extra mile. Regular updates, offering to do chores, extra cleaning, it’s all part of being the perfect pet sitter.

Responsibilities

House sitting in exchange for accommodation comes with many more responsibilities than simply hiring a holiday let or using a BnB. With pet sitting comes pet care which will require time and energy. Some animals may need some more care than others. Larger, outside animals (like horses) will need a lot more than just a fresh bail of hay every day. Senior or special needs pets may need some extra help and support with their day-to-day schedules. If you’re looking for a feet-up-and-lie-on-the-beach-all-day vacation, pet sitting might not be for you.

Saying goodbye to new pet pals

We all know this is the biggest con to pet sitting by far! The bonds we make with our new pet friends can stay with us for a long time - after many happy hours together, the time eventually comes when their pet parents need to come home and your duties are done. Just remember - because of you, your new pet pal was able to enjoy their vacation in the comforts of their own home, with round-the-clock care.

Let’s hear from the experts: Our Trusted Community

Who better to tell you the pros and cons of pet sitting than our very own members? We put the same question on our Community Forum to hear from the horse’s mouth (so to speak). Thank you to everyone who offered their thoughts on the Community Forum chat, we loved reading through them. Without further ado, pet people, over to you!

First up, a quick on from Catgoddess_99 based in West Coast USA:

“Pros: spending time with awesome pets in new locations and affordable travel adventures.

Cons: getting attached to pets than having to say goodbyes”

Too true, Catgoddess_99!

We have some good truths from karina from Gent, Belgium:

“PROS

• Spending time with all sorts of animals we don’t normally see, like chickens, sheep, fish, etc.
• Getting a window into how other people live, seeing their home setup, and getting inspiration
• A change in routine and scenery keeps life interesting
• Being able to leave their home super clean, and their pets relaxed and happy

CONS

• Uncomfortable beds
• Onerous duties that were not disclosed
• Fear of breaking things accidentally”

The fear is real karina! But, luckily, rare!

Finally, we think Oztravels from Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal, summarize sitting in just a few words:

“Pro. The unknown

Con. The unknown”

Well said, Oztravels!

Not a member yet? Curious to learn to find out more? Check out our different membership plans to see what you’re missing out on and which one would suit your lifestyle best. Maybe we’ll see you on our Community Forum in the not-too-distant future…