How to Set Your Pets Up for Success Before a Pet-Sitting Appointment

Written By Shelby Ann Peace

Leaving your pet in someone else's care can bring up a lot of feelings, even when you know they will be loved and well cared for. At Peace Petsitting, my goal is to give you genuine peace of mind by following your pet's normal routine, respecting your home, and keeping you updated while you are away.

A little preparation before your appointment helps everything go more smoothly. It allows your pet to feel safer, helps me provide consistent care, and makes sure important information is easy to find when it matters most.

Here is how to set your pet, and your pet sitter, up for a successful visit.

1. Share your pet's usual routine

Pets often feel more comfortable when their day stays predictable. Before your appointment, let your sitter know what a normal day looks like for your pet.

Include details such as:

  • Usual feeding times and portion sizes

  • Where food, treats, bowls, and supplies are kept

  • Walk, potty-break, playtime, and bedtime routines

  • Favorite toys, games, and comfort items

  • Crate, free-roam, or sleeping arrangements

  • Any routines that help them settle down or feel safe

Small details can make a big difference. If your dog is used to a treat after coming inside, your cat prefers meals in a quiet room, or your pet sleeps with a specific blanket, let your sitter know. Familiar routines can make a new situation feel much less stressful.

2. Leave clear feeding and medication instructions

Clear written instructions are one of the easiest ways to avoid confusion. Even if you explain everything during a meet-and-greet, it helps to leave a quick reference sheet for your sitter.

For food, include:

  • The brand or type of food your pet eats

  • The amount to serve at each meal

  • Meal times or feeding windows

  • Where food, treats, and clean bowls are stored

  • Foods your pet should not have

  • Any allergy, sensitivity, or dietary concern

If your pet takes medication, include the medication name, amount, timing, method of administration, and any special instructions. If possible, keep medications together in one clearly labeled place.

A simple note like "One tablet hidden in a pill pocket after dinner; treats are in the pantry" can save time and help your sitter confidently maintain your pet's routine.

3. Make important supplies easy to find

Your sitter shouldn't have to search through cabinets or guess where things belong. Before you leave, make sure essential pet-care supplies are stocked, easy to locate, and accessible.

Consider leaving out or clearly labeling:

  • Food and treats

  • Leashes, harnesses, collars, and waste bags

  • Litter, litter scoop, or cleaning supplies

  • Toys, comfort items, crates, or carriers

  • Medication and instructions

  • Towels, pet-safe wipes, and accident-cleanup products

  • Grooming tools, if you'd like them used

  • A flashlight for evening walks or backyard breaks

Tip: Leave more food, litter, medication, and supplies than you think your pet will need. Travel delays and longer-than-planned trips happen.

4. Give accurate entry and home instructions

Reliable access is essential for stress-free pet care. Before your appointment begins, make sure your sitter knows exactly how to enter and secure your home.

Please provide:

  • Your preferred entry method and any keys, codes, or garage instructions

  • Alarm instructions, if applicable

  • Where to park

  • Gate, fence, or apartment-building access details

  • Any doors that stick, tricky locks, or areas that should stay closed

  • The location of pet supplies and cleaning materials

  • Instructions for lights, thermostat, mail, packages, or plants if those are included in your service

If you use a lockbox or keypad, test it before your trip. A quick check can prevent a stressful arrival for both your sitter and your pet.

5. Be honest about behavior, fears, and special needs

No pet is perfect, and that is completely okay. The most helpful thing you can do is be open about your pet's personality and needs.

Let your sitter know if your pet:

  • Is shy around new people

  • Barks, hides, guards food, or reacts to other animals

  • Has separation anxiety

  • Pulls on walks or gets excited near people, dogs, bikes, or cars

  • Has a sensitive stomach or a history of accidents

  • Needs slow introductions, quiet time, or extra patience

  • Is a puppy, senior pet, rescue, or pet with mobility concerns

  • Has any medical condition, medication schedule, or behavior plan

This information doesn't make your pet "difficult." It helps your sitter care for them safely and respectfully, and the better your sitter understands your pet's normal behavior, the easier it is to notice if something changes.

6. Update emergency contacts and veterinary information

Before your trip, make sure your sitter has current contact information for you, a local emergency contact, and your veterinarian.

Your pet-care information should include:

  • Your cell-phone number and a backup contact method

  • A trusted local emergency contact who can make decisions if you're unreachable

  • Your regular veterinarian's name, phone number, and address

  • The nearest emergency veterinary clinic

  • Your pet's medical conditions, medications, allergies, and insurance information, if applicable

  • Any limits or preferences regarding emergency treatment

Keep this information somewhere easy to find. A printable Pet Emergency Contact Card in your home, travel bag, wallet, or pet-care binder keeps important details close at hand.

7. Help your pet feel comfortable before you go

You don't need to make a big production out of leaving. Calm, normal routines are often best.

Before your trip or appointment:

  • Make sure your pet has had time to eat, exercise, and use the bathroom

  • Leave familiar bedding, toys, or a comfort item available

  • Avoid major last-minute changes to food, routines, or sleeping arrangements

  • Make sure collars have current ID tags

  • Confirm your pet's microchip information is up to date

  • Let your sitter know where your pet usually hides or rests

  • Keep introductions calm and low-pressure, especially for shy pets

A meet-and-greet before a first appointment also helps your pet see their sitter as a familiar, safe person in their space.

8. Keep your instructions in one place

The easiest way to feel prepared is to keep your pet's care information together. A binder, digital document, or printed care sheet makes it simple for a sitter, friend, family member, or emergency contact to follow your pet's routine.

Your information packet can include:

  • Daily routine and feeding schedule

  • Medication instructions

  • Veterinary and emergency contacts

  • Behavior notes and comfort preferences

  • Home-access details

  • Supply locations

  • Approved treats, activities, and walk routes

  • Space for visit notes or updates

When everything is organized in one place, you can leave feeling confident that your sitter has what they need.

Peace of mind starts with preparation

Your pet deserves care that feels safe, familiar, and tailored to them. Preparing ahead gives your sitter the tools to provide consistent care, and lets you focus on your trip, workday, or time away without worrying about forgotten details.

At Peace Petsitting, your home, your pet's routine, and your trust matter. Clear communication and thoughtful preparation create the best possible experience for everyone, especially your pet.

Want an easy way to get started?

Download the free Pet-Sitting Quick-Prep Checklist to make sure you have the essentials covered before your next appointment.

Pet-Sitting Quick-Prep Checklist
[DOWNLOAD THE FREE CHECKLIST →]

For a more complete place to organize feeding schedules, medications, emergency contacts, routines, and home notes, explore the Pet Sitter Information Binder.

Complete care-planning resource:
Pet Sitter Information Binder
[GET THE BINDER →]

Shelby Ann Peace