Pet sitter responsibilities: Cat and dog sitting duties

Thinking about house sitting, and want to understand general pet sitter responsibilities, cat and dog sitting duties, before you get started? Below, we explore the sorts of tasks you’ll need to be comfortable with when looking after pets.

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: a quick look

In a nutshell, pet sitters take care of the pets and home while the pet parents are away. Having a sitter means peace of mind for pet parents, and travel freedom for sitters. 

Get informed about the pet sitter responsibilities below to decide whether you’re up to the task. It’s worth noting that here at TrustedHousesitters, all of our sitters do it for the love of travel and pets, not money.

• 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 vet or groomers 
• Basic grooming and brushing
• Love and affection for the pets
• Helping pets feel at ease in the absence of their humans
• 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 pet parents informed about the sit at the frequency agreed

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 task 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 the pet parents
• 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, tropical fish, and more. So, if you’re applying for a specialized pet sit, make sure you’re confident in the specific care that the 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). 

Our members care for pets of all shapes and sizes around the world, and in return, sitters get a place to stay on their travels - experiencing real homes, and real communities.

To find out more about how becoming a pet sitter with TrustedHousesitters works, click below.

Pet sitter requirements

Many paid pet sitter jobs 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.

• 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 walks, potty breaks 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.
• An unwavering love for animals.

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 (for our US members)
• 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 cat boarding facility.
• 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 in a remote location, or the pets need transport to appointments.
• Experience with your own pets.

Explore house sits

Ready to explore new corners of the world, settle into real homes, and care for the pets as if they were your own? Explore house sitting opportunities, and choose a membership plan that works for you (and naturally, keep an eye on our TrustedHousesitters discount codes).

Pet sitter responsibilities at TrustedHousesitters

For a closer look at the pet sitter responsibilities here at TrustedHousesitters, take a look below.

1. You must love pets

In our pet-loving community, being an 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.

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 parent’s instructions, be available for the entirety of the agreed sit dates and make every effort to ensure extra love and care is taken with the pets and home.

When a pet parent 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

The pet parent should include everything you need to know about the pet's routine in their Welcome Guide, but you should also ask them questions about anything you're unsure of ahead of the sit.

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 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 parent’s mind at ease, good communication will help you to set and manage expectations. Plus, the more you chat with the pet parent and ask questions, the better equipped you’ll be to care for their animals.

Most pet parents love to receive photos and videos of their pets while they’re away. Some 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. It's best to discuss in advance how often updates should be sent.

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 pet sitting.

The pet is the main reason you’re there, so be sure to give them lots of extra love, care and cuddles while their pet parents are away, and carry out all the cat and dog sitting responsibilities. 

Likewise, be sure to take good care of the home and the pet parent'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 pet parent 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 parent as soon as possible.

Try to call them on the phone first of all, and leave a message 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 pet parent know of the problem. A trusted team of veterinary nurses will be able to provide advice.

Finally, please get in touch with us 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 parent 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 pet gets their medication.

Chat with the pet parent 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 petting and belly rubs (if the pet will let you), and play games using the pet’s toys.

The pet may be a little wary of you at first, and worried about the absence of their humans, 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 bonding with your new pals.

Useful resources

• How to calm a cat down while cat sitting
• House sit packing list
• Honest TrustedHousesitters experiences: told by members

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.