Pet sitter checklist: what to leave for the sitter
A good sitter can only follow the routine you tell them about. Go through this list before you leave, then fill in the sheet at the bottom, print it and stick it on the fridge.
Contacts
Your phone numbers, and when you can and cannot be reached
A backup person nearby who has a key and knows the pet
Your regular vet, and the nearest emergency vet with opening hours
Whether the sitter can approve treatment, and how it gets paid. Call your vet before you leave to set this up.
Food
What, how much and when, measured in the scoop they will actually use
Where the food is kept and where the spare bag is
Which treats are allowed, and how many
Foods that are off limits, and any allergies
Fresh water: how often to refill, and any fountain or filter to check
Medication
Name, dose and exact times for each medicine
How to give it: with food, hidden in a treat, by dropper
What to do if a dose is missed or the pet will not take it
Leave the medicine counted out for each day if you can. A pill organiser makes double doses easy to spot.
Daily routine
Walk times and how long, or litter scooping and full changes
Where the leash, harness, poop bags and towels are
Usual toilet times, and what an accident means for this pet
Sleeping spot, crate rules, and which rooms are closed
Playtime, favourite toys, and any games that wind them up too much
Behaviour and health
Things that scare them: doorbells, other dogs, the vacuum
Escape habits, like door dashing or jumping fences
Where they hide when stressed, so a missing cat is not a panic
What is normal for them and what is a reason to call the vet: not eating for a day, vomiting, limping, lethargy
Recent vet notes and vaccination dates, in case they are needed
The house
Keys, alarm code, and which doors and windows must stay shut
Where the carrier is, in case of a vet trip
Cleaning supplies for accidents
Bins and recycling day, if the sitter stays over
Ask the sitter to log what they do
A quick message after each walk or meal gives you peace of mind and gives the sitter a record if something goes wrong. A shared log works better than texts: you see every walk, meal and dose with the time, and you do not have to ask.
Pet sitter sheet
Type on the lines, then print. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Pet's nameAway from / to
Contacts
Owner phoneBackup personRegular vetEmergency vetVet approval and payment
Food
Food and amountMeal timesTreats allowedNever give
Medication
Medicine and doseTimesHow to giveIf a dose is missed
Routine
Walks or litterWhere things areSleeping and crateRooms closed
Watch out for
Fears and escape habitsHiding spotsCall the vet ifKeys and alarm
Add the sitter to the log
With notchu, the sitter joins your pet with one link, no account needed. Every walk, meal and dose they log pings your phone, and their access ends when you remove them. A third caregiver needs notchu Plus.