How to Prepare for Your Pet Sitter: A Guide from Pawsh Pet auPairs

Pawsh Pet auPairs
Jun 16
3 min read

Updated: Sep 3

When you entrust your beloved pet to a sitter, you're not just handing over a leash or a food scoop—you're sharing a piece of your family. At Pawsh Pet auPairs, we know how much care and attention you put into your pet’s daily routine, and we’re here to match that same level of love and professionalism.

To make sure everything goes smoothly during your time away, here are our top tips for preparing your home—and your furry family—for an in-home pet sitting experience.

📝 1. Share the Right Information with your pet sitter

The more we know, the better we care. Here's what to leave for your sitter:

Feeding Schedule & Portion Details: Include treats, dietary restrictions, and any mealtime quirks.
Daily Routine: Pets thrive on routine—tell us when they usually wake, eat, walk, play, nap, and sleep.
Medical Needs: Any medications? Allergies? Include dosages, schedules, and tips for administering meds.
Behavior & Personality Notes: Do they bark at the mail carrier? Get nervous in thunderstorms? Prefer belly rubs over fetch? The more you share, the more we can personalize our care.
Favorite Toys, Hiding Spots, and Comfort Items: We love knowing where they feel safest and what brings them joy.

💻 Save Time: Use Your Online Client Portal

Pawsh Pet auPairs's client portal dashboard.

At Pawsh Pet auPairs, we use secure, professional pet sitting software to keep everything organized and in one place. When you book services with us, you’ll be invited to create a Client Profile and a Pet Profile where you can enter all of the important information above—just once!

You can update details anytime, and we’ll always have access to the most current instructions, emergency contacts, vet information, and more. It saves time, avoids paper notes, and ensures your sitter can focus 100% on your pet’s comfort and safety.

🏡 2. Prepare Your Home for a Comfortable Stay

We aim to make your pet feel calm and secure in their home. You can help by:

Pet-Proofing Before You Leave: Secure trash cans, remove access to unsafe foods, medications, or cleaning supplies, and check that fences and gates are secure.
Set Up Sleeping & Feeding Areas: Leave out food and water bowls, litter boxes, crates, or pet beds in their usual spots.
Leave Out Cleaning Supplies: Pet messes happen—please leave us with poop bags, paper towels, pet-safe cleaner, and any grooming tools you use regularly.
For Overnight Stays: A clean set of sheets, towels, and instructions on where to find essentials (coffee, lights, thermostat) is appreciated. Let us know what areas are off-limits and whether your pet is allowed on furniture.
Instructions for Mail, Packages, or Plants: If you’d like us to water a plant or bring in the mail, just leave a note!

📱 3. Leave Contact & Emergency Info

No one wants to think about emergencies, but being prepared gives everyone peace of mind.

Your Contact Info: Cell phone, email, and best way to reach you while away.
Vet Information: Name, address, phone number—and your pet's patient file number, if available.
Emergency Backup Contact: Someone local who can step in if needed.
Signed Vet Authorization Form: Some clinics require written permission for someone else to authorize treatment.
Photo of Your Pet: Just in case of an emergency or if your pet gets loose (rare, but important!).

💡 Pro Tip: You can enter all of this in your client portal, so it's safely stored and accessible to your sitter when needed.

📅 4. Communicate Your Travel Plans Clearly

Please share:

Departure and Return Times: If you're running late or arriving home early, let us know so your pet doesn’t go too long without care.
Preferred Updates: Want daily photos? A quick text? We’re happy to stay connected the way you like best.

🐶 Final Tip: Relax, Your Pet is in Loving Hands

The best thing you can do to help your pet is to leave calmly and confidently. Pets often take emotional cues from their humans, so a stress-free departure helps them adjust quickly.

At Pawsh Pet auPairs, we pride ourselves on providing luxury-level, personalized care in the comfort of your home. Preparing ahead makes the experience smoother for you, your pet, and your sitter.