Taking a vacation, for owners of a four-legged companion, often means a crucial question when it is impossible to take them with them. How and by whom to look after your animal? We all want the best for our faithful companions and this of course requires an ideal pet-sitter, who is both competent and attentive. But if proposals flourish from all sides, it is not always easy to make a choice and be sure not to make a mistake. Especially when you decide to keep your pet under your own roof. If this idea is perfect for the dog or the cat who will thus be able to keep his bearings and allows him to be more serene in our absence, it is not the simplest for us. It is possible to seek recommendations from those close to us, or to go to specialized sites. But no matter how the research is done, you will first need to determine what is important to you.
Here are 6 tips to consider when finding the perfect pet sitter.
1. Determine the place of custody
This is the first point to take into consideration. Because while it is certain that your pet will feel better staying at home, welcoming a stranger under your roof in our absence is not an easy thing. But it is still simpler for the pet-sitter to come to your home, especially if you have more than one animal to look after. The well-being of your animal comes first.
2. The environment
If you opt for care at the pet-sitter's home, make sure that their environment is roughly similar to yours. In particular, if you have a garden and your dog is used to playing there, this criterion may be important for your selection. Also ask questions about its sleeping place, the possible presence of other animals, the number of people in the household, the presence of children, etc.
3. The specialty of the pet-sitter
Not all pet sitters look after all types of pets. Some specialize in cats, others in dogs, still others in NAC. Be sure to choose the pet-sitter suited to your profile and don't hesitate to ask them questions about their past experiences.
4. Specific services
In case your pet has difficulty adapting to new people, you can prepare the ground by having the pet-sitter come to your home several times for walks or shorter care sessions before you leave on vacation. This will allow your pet to get used to its presence before the big day.
5. Medical needs
If your pet has specific medical needs, such as injections or medication, be sure to hire a pet-sitter who will be able to take care of him. It is possible, depending on needs, to find pet-sitters with first aid training, or who are veterinarians, for example.
6. Communication after your departure
If you need to be reassured during your absence and would like to receive regular news from your pet or even photos, make sure that the pet-sitter agrees to have this type of communication with you. Simply explain that this is important for your peace of mind.