If you’re a pet parent, you know the struggle of trying to find someone to take care of your furry friend while you’re away on vacation. You don’t want to leave them in a kennel, you don’t always want to impose on friends or family to watch them, but you can’t comfortably enjoy your trip or even plan it until you know your furbaby will be safe and happy while you’re gone. That’s where hiring a professional pet sitter comes in.
Hiring a pet sitter has numerous benefits for both you and your beloved pet. Not only will it provide your pet with the care and attention they need, but it will also give you peace of mind while you’re away. There are many benefits of hiring a pet sitter when you travel.
1. Your pet will receive individualized care
When leaving your pets in a kennel or with a friend or family member, they may not receive the same level of care and attention as they would with a professional dog or cat sitter. Pet sitters are animal lovers specifically trained to care for animals and will be able to provide your pet with individualized attention and care. This includes feeding, playtime, administering medications if necessary, and lots of love when you can’t be there to do it yourself.
Oftentimes if you have a friend or family member care for yourcat or dog while you’re away they will do the basics but will not provide the same level ofcare that a professional would. If you hire a professional you can give them specific instructions and rest assured knowing that they are following them and doing what they need to do in order to keep your pet happy and comfortable and treat them as their own in your absence!
2. Your pet will have a consistent routine and can remain in their familiar surroundings.
If you use a reliable pet sitter to care for your pets they can keep consistent with your cat and/or dog’s regular routine. Since pets are creatures of habit and can become anxious when placed in unfamiliar surroundings, hiring someone to provide overnight pet care in your home can help alleviate that type of stress for them. By hiring a pet sitter, your pet will be able to feel comfortable in their own space and you can rest assured that they are receiving professional pet care. This will reduce their stress and anxiety levels, making for a much happier pet while you’re away and in turn, you’ll be able to enjoy your trip more knowing both your baby and your home are in good hands!
A pet sitter allows your dog’s or cat’s normal routine to be maintained, which includes feeding, cleaning, exercise and daily walks at the usual times, as well as playtime. A sitter allows your pet to maintain any structure you usually have with them, providing pets with consistency while you’re away. Your cat or dog will certainly miss you while you’re away but at least they won’t be confused by being in an unfamiliar place with a different routine which can certainly reduce their separation anxiety.
3. Your home will be secure.
In addition to caring for your pet, a pet sitter can also keep an eye on your home while you’re away whether you’re hiring them for overnight stays or just for daily visits. Additional benefits of hiring a professional pet sitter are that they can collect your mail, water your plants, take out the garbage, and turn lights on and off to make it appear as though someone is home. This can provide additional peace of mind, help deter intruders, and be available to assist if any problems in your home arise.
Many dog walkers provide overnight pet care and can pet sit for you while you’re away so you may even be able to hire the same person who does your regular dog walking. If you go through a professional dog walking or pet sitting service you can feel confident knowing that the person taking care of your pet will have been subject to a background check and additional vetting so you won’t have to worry about checking references yourself.
4. You’ll have someone to contact in case of an emergency
Accidents and emergencies can happen at any time, and it’s important to have someone you trust to handle the situation if you’re not around. Professional pet sitters will be able to take your pet to the vet or handle any other emergency that may arise. Many sitters are certified in animal CPR and can monitor and address any pet health concerns if they come up and provide additional TLC to your pet if needed keeping your pet safe while you are away.
5. Your pet won’t be exposed to illness.
Leaving your pet in a boarding kennel or with a friend or family member may expose them to illness. While some boarding facilities can be great, any time there are multiple animals coming from different places staying in the same facility and often playing together there is a risk of disease or injury. A pet sitter will only care for your pet, reducing the risk of exposure to any potential illnesses or injury, keeping your dog or cat healthy which is definitely another reason to hire one.
6. You’ll have flexibility in your travel plans.
When you have a sitter caring for your pets it allows you the freedom to travel on your own schedule, without having to worry about coordinating with friends or family to care for your pet or risking the need to have multiple people pass your pet around if you’ll be gone for an extended period. You can book your trip and make travel arrangements without the added stress of trying to find someone to watch your pet knowing that they will be safe and sound in the comfort of your home with the same person for the duration of your trip.
In conclusion, leaving your pets in the hands of a pet sitter when you travel is a great option for both pet owners and pets alike. It will provide your pet with individualized care, allow them to remain in their familiar surroundings, maintain their normal routine, help keep them healthy, and provide additional security for your home. Plus, you’ll have someone to contact in case of an emergency and the flexibility to travel on your own schedule. Don’t leave your furry friend in the hands of just anyone – consider hiring a pet sitter to ensure they receive the best care possible while you’re away.
