Pet sitter responsibilities: cat and dog sitting duties

Updated 29 Aug 2024

If you adore animals and you love nothing more than travel, it’s only natural to consider becoming a pet sitter. 

Before embarking on your adventure as a pet sitter, it’s important you’re clued-up on all the pet sitter responsibilities, cat and dog sitting duties required of you.

You’ll be tasked with a variety of pet care jobs, as well as responsibilities around the home and garden.

So to figure out whether pet sitting is right for you, explore our ultimate list of pet sitter duties and responsibilities below.

What is pet sitting?

Pet sitting is taking care of someone’s pets while they’re away, in their own home. There are a number of pet sitter responsibilities, including 24/7, 1:1 pet care, feeding, exercise, and keeping the house clean and tidy.

Pet sitter responsibilities

Pet sitters take care of the pets and home while owners are away. The service provides peace of mind for pet owners - knowing their pad and fur babies are looked after, while they enjoy a vacation. 

Get informed about the pet sitter responsibilities below, to decide whether you’re up to the task.

• Feeding the pets the right food at the right time
• Keeping pets in the routine set out by pet parents: wake up, feeding, bed time, exercise
• Ensuring pets always have fresh water
• Making sure pets get the right amount of exercise and play each day
• Administering pet medication
• Watering plants indoors and tending to the garden
• Collecting mail
• Taking the pets to any appointments, such as the vets or groomers 
• Basic grooming and brushing
• Love and affection for the pets
• Helping pets feel at ease in the absence of their owners
• Keeping the house locked up and secure
• Keeping the house clean and tidy
• Monitoring pet behavior 
• Providing health care if an accident occurs and advised by a vet
• Keeping the owners informed about the sit at the frequency and amount requested

Dog sitting duties

Along with the pet sitter responsibilities above, there are additional dog sitter responsibilities often required. Explore the usual dog sitter duties below, to make sure you’re up to the job of taking care of a new canine companion.

• Walking the dog 
• Play - at home and when out
• Brushing their coat and ensuring fur doesn’t get matted
• Mental stimulation, such as scent games
• Taking them to dog training or agility
• Maintaining a level of dog training

Cat sitting duties 

As a cat sitter, additional pet sitter duties will be involved, including those below.

• Changing the litter box within the schedule provided by owners
• Making sure they return home (if they’re an outdoor cat)
• Play and mental stimulation
• Exercise and physical stimulation, especially if they’re an outdoor cat

Pet sitting is largely in the realm of cats and dogs, but there are certainly many pet parents in need of care for their rabbits, horses, reptiles and tropical fish. So, if you’re applying for a specialized pet sit, be sure you’re confident in the specific care that species needs. 

And if you’re unsure, ask the pet parents for a detailed description of what’s needed, and only agree to the sit if you’re sure you can provide the pet care that their animals need.

How to become a pet sitter

There are a range of ways pet lovers can become sitters. At TrustedHousesitters, there are no formal qualifications or experience required (but these can help). 

For people who love pets and have a passion for travel, becoming a pet sitter with TrustedHousesitters is simple. 

With an annual plan, sitters can secure unlimited sits around the world, exploring new corners of the globe and getting a place to stay in exchange for pet care. To find out more about how becoming a pet sitter with TrustedHousesitters works, click below.

Pet sitter requirements

Many pet sitter job descriptions require sitters to have proven experience with animals, high school diplomas, and even qualifications in species-specific pet care. 

At TrustedHousesitters, sitters aren’t required to have any specific qualifications, but experience with specific species certainly helps. Take a look below for the pet sitter requirements at TrustedHousesitters.

• An unwavering love for animals
• Excellent communication skills - this is vital for before and during the sit
• A good understanding of how to look after pets: pet sitter duties include walkies, potty management and an ability to keep pets under control
• Honesty and integrity - sitters who are honest about their experience are more likely to land a sit that’s right for them.

Pet sitter requirements: identity and security

Pet sitters with TrustedHousesitters are also required to complete security checks, and to obtain references. Here are the pet sitter requirements:

• Background checks to confirm a clear criminal record
• ID verifications with an official government ID
• Character references
• Email address and phone number verification

‘Nice to have’ pet sitter experience and qualifications

As we’ve said, there aren’t any official qualifications needed to become a pet sitter with TrustedHousesitters - you just need to adore pets, and of course act within our Code of Conduct. With that said, there are some qualifications and experiences that might help sitters to fulfill their pet, cat and dog sitting responsibilities - which could be showcased in their sitter profile. 

• Experience providing pet care or pet sitting services in a professional setting, such as a kennel or cattery
• Veterinary care for animals
• Customer service skills and other roles that demonstrate communication skills
• A valid driver’s license - this is useful if the sit you’re applying for is remote
• Experience caring for pets through pet ownership

Explore house sits

So, still liking the idea of jet setting around the world and caring for the pets in it? And think you can fulfill all the pet sitter responsibilities required of you? Great - explore pet sitting opportunities to find out where your adventure could be taking you, and choose an annual plan to become a trusted pet sitter.

What are the cat and dog sitting expectations and pet sitter responsibilities at TrustedHousesitters? 

1. Firstly, you must be a pet lover!

Sure, it sounds obvious. But in our pet-loving community, being a bonafide animal lover is one of the most important steps in being a pet sitter. It’s why most people want to become a pet sitter in the first place.

The TrustedHousesitters community is made up of hundreds of sitters who genuinely love spending time with animals, which is why our trust-based, money-free exchange works so well. And what better way to explore somewhere new than with an adorable dog by your side?

Trusted tip: let your love for pets shine through in your profile to increase your chances of securing a great dog or cat sit! 

2. Be responsible, respectful and reliable

Many sitters house and pet sit because they love the unique travel experiences that it offers, but with that comes big cat and dog sitting responsibilities.

When joining TrustedHousesitters, all members are asked to accept our code of conduct. Here, sitters agree (among other things) to follow the pet owner’s instructions, be available for the entirety of the agreed sit dates and, of course, make every effort to ensure extra love and care is taken with the owner’s pets and home.

When a pet owner hands over the keys to their home, they're trusting you with their beloved pets and most prized possession. So while you will get the chance to discover new and exciting destinations, remember: looking after the pets and the home should be your number one priority.

3. Keep up the pet's regular routines

Routine is important for any pet, and one of the main reasons an owner will choose an in-home cat or dog sitter is that, unlike traditional catteries or kennels, it keeps their pet at home and in their usual routine. That means the cat or dog is much less likely to feel stressed or disrupted while their owner is away and is a key pet sitter responsibility.

The pet owner should include everything you need to know about the pet's routine in their handover and Welcome Guide, but you should also ask them questions about anything you're unsure of ahead of your first day as a cat or dog sitter.

Things you might want to keep in mind are what time the pet usually has their breakfast and dinner, when they usually go for their walk (one of the most important dog sitting duties), what time they usually wake up/nap, and whether they need to take any daily medication.

4. Communicate well (and often) via the app

One of the key pet sitting responsibilities is communication - it's key when it comes to being a successful cat or dog sitter. As well as helping to build trust and put the pet owner’s mind at ease, good communication will help you to set and manage expectations. Plus, the more you chat with the owner and ask questions, the better equipped you’ll be to care for their four-legged family members. 

Most pet owners love to receive photos and videos of their pets while they’re away. Some owners prefer a daily update, some weekly and others are just happy to hear from you if there are any emergencies they need to be aware of, so it's best to discuss in advance how often updates should be sent, with communication as one of your key pet sitter responsibilities.

We recommended downloading the TrustedHousesitters app, where you can communicate via our secure and private messaging system, both before, during and even after a sit. 

5. Look after the pets and the home as if they were your own

Just as you’d expect someone coming into your own home to treat it with love and respect, you should do the same when venturing off to become an in-house cat or dog sitter (or pet sitter of another species altogether!). 

The pet is the main reason you’re there, so be sure to give them lots of extra love, care and cuddles while their owner is away, and carry out all the cat and dog sitting responsibilities. Likewise, be sure to take good care of the home and the owner’s belongings, and aim to leave the home as clean as, if not cleaner, than when you arrived. 

After all, what better way to welcome the owner back home than with a clean, sparkling home and a happy, healthy pet? 

6. Learn how to handle an emergency

If an emergency occurs during a sit – whether it’s to do with the pet or the house – it’s important that you contact the pet owner as soon as possible - the ultimate pet sitter responsibility is keeping pets safe.

Try to call them on the phone first of all, and leave a message using the TrustedHousesitters app if you can’t get hold of them. If it’s a serious emergency, like a fire, contact the relevant authorities immediately.

If the dog or cat suddenly becomes ill, you can contact our 24/7 Vet Advice Line after letting the owner know of the problem. A trusted team of veterinary nurses will be able to provide unlimited advice.

Finally, please get in touch with TrustedHousesitters to tell us about the situation. This allows us to provide any necessary help and support to all members involved.

7. Ask about any special care or medication the pet might need

Administering medication is one of many common pet sitter responsibilities. Make sure to talk with the pet owner about any special care or medication that their pet might need. If their dog requires daily worming tablets, for example, then it will be up to you as a dog sitter to make sure the poorly pooch gets its much-needed medication.

Chat with the pet owner before your visit about how exactly any medication should be given. For example, does it need to be mixed with food? If so, what kind of food? Make sure to check when and how often the medicine is required, and try to stick to the pet’s usual routine as much as possible.

8. Bond with the pet

The best part about being on a house sit is getting the chance to bond with your new cat or dog friend - it's a cat and dog sitting expectation. Spend lots of time together, providing lots of strokes and belly rubs (if the pet will let you), and play games using the pet’s toys.

The dog or cat may be a little wary of you at first, and worried about the absence of their owner, but if you put in a little bit of time to gain their trust, you’ll soon be having a great time together. Take a look at these articles on ways to make your cat happy and ways to make your dog happy for more ideas on fun times.

Useful resources

• How to calm a cat down while cat sitting
• House sit packing list
• Dog sitting tips

And don't forget to look in on our Community Forum — the perfect place for those sharing a love of pets and travel to come together. Chat with like-minded individuals and get advice or support as you begin your house and pet sitting journey.