The pet sitter checklist: 25 things to leave your sitter

The best pet sitter in the world can't read your mind. This pet sitter checklist covers everything your sitter needs to know, so they're not texting you from the kitchen while you're trying to enjoy your trip. It works for dogs, cats and houses with both.

Print this checklist

1. Food and treats

Start your pet sitter checklist with food, since it's what your sitter handles most.

• What food, and exactly how much per meal (use cups or cans, not "a scoop")
• Meal times
• Where the food is and how to prep it
• Treat rules: what, how many and when
• Foods to never give, including anything your pet is allergic to

2. Medications and supplements

• Name of each medication, copied right off the label
• Exact dose and time
• How to give it (hidden in cheese, with a meal, a pill pocket)
• Where the meds are kept
• Supplements like fish oil or joint chews

Never make your sitter guess at a dose. If a label says "1 tablet twice daily," write that exactly.

3. The daily routine

• Walk times and how long (dogs)
• Potty break schedule
• Litter box location and when to scoop (cats)
• Play time and favorite toys
• Bedtime and where they sleep

How often should a sitter visit? See how long a dog can be left alone and how long a cat can be left alone.

4. Quirks and house rules

• Leash manners and which harness to use
• How they act with other dogs, people and doorbells
• Escape artists: doors to watch, and "indoor only" for cats
• Hiding spots, especially for cats
• Furniture rules

5. Vet and emergency info

• Your regular vet's name, number and hours
• The nearest 24-hour emergency clinic
• Your number and a local backup contact
• The ASPCA Animal Poison Control line: (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply)
• How much the sitter can spend at the vet without reaching you

Also note allergies, conditions, vaccine status and the microchip number. If something goes wrong, those are the first questions a vet will ask. And make sure your sitter knows the common dangers, like chocolate for dogs and lilies for cats.

6. House notes

• Door code, key location and alarm code
• Wifi name and password
• Trash and recycling day
• Where the cleaning supplies, poop bags and extra litter are
• Anything off limits in the house

Keep codes and passwords somewhere private, and only share them with people you trust.

Pet sitter checklist extras for cats

• Litter box location, how often to scoop and where the extra litter is
• Whether your cat is indoor only, and which doors to watch
• Favorite hiding spots, so the sitter knows where to look before worrying
• What normal eating and litter box habits look like for your cat
• Toxic plants to keep away, starting with lilies

Your day-before pet sitter checklist

• Do a meet-and-greet so your pet and sitter know each other
• Stock enough food, litter, poop bags and meds for the whole trip, plus a few extra days
• Tell your vet who'll be caring for your pet, and whether the sitter can approve treatment
• Check that ID tags and microchip info are up to date
• Share your travel dates and the best way to reach you
• Walk the sitter through anything tricky, like a pill trick or a sticky door

How to hand it all over

A printed sheet on the fridge is a great start. A single link is even better, because your sitter can pull it up on their phone during a walk or at the vet, and you can update it without reprinting.

That's what DearSitter is for. You fill it in once, text the link and your sitter gets a daily checklist to tick off, a spot to send you photos and one-tap access to your vet. Take a look at an example page.

Frequently asked questions

What should I leave for my pet sitter?

Feeding instructions, medications with exact doses, the daily routine, your vet and the nearest emergency clinic, your contact info plus a backup, quirks and house rules, foods to avoid and house notes like the door code and wifi.

What should a pet sitter instructions template include?

At minimum: food and treats, meds, routine, emergency contacts, health info and house notes. The six sections in this checklist cover it.

Should I leave a note for my cat sitter?

Yes. Include feeding amounts, where the litter box is and when to scoop, hiding spots, whether your cat is indoor only, medications and the vet's number.

Sources

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control
• Cats Protection: Going on holiday
• RSPCA: Leaving your dog alone

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your pet, call your vet.