Pet Sitting Tips: 23 Overlooked Ways to Level Up Your Care

Going Beyond The Basics

When most people think of pet sitting, they imagine cuddles, walks, and feeding schedules. And while those are the visible parts of the job, it’s the behind-the-scenes details that define the quality of care. At Burnell Pets, we specialize in going beyond the basics, and we want to help you do the same with these pet sitting tips. These 23 pro pet sitting tips aren’t just helpful; they’re foundational. People may not discuss them as often, but they matter just as much, if not more.

This list is just the beginning. There’s a lot more that goes into quality pet care, and we’re developing a professional pet sitting course to help you dive even deeper. For now, consider this an introduction to the many subtle factors that separate hobby sitters from pros.

23 Overlooked Pet Sitting Tips

1. Always Assume You’re on Camera

Of all the pet sitting tips, we’re starting here because this tip alone can make or break your business. Cameras; indoors and out, are everywhere now. Assume that someone is watching and recording everything. Maintain professionalism in every interaction, every action, and every moment in the client’s home. Don’t act professionally only because you might be on camera; do it because it reflects your values. True professionals love what they do, care deeply for the pets in their charge, and honor the trust that clients place in them every time they hand over their keys.

2. Know Your emergency vet clinic routes

In an emergency, seconds matter. Know exactly how long it takes to get to both the client’s regular vet and the nearest emergency clinic. Don’t just know the address—know the route, traffic patterns, and backup options.

3. always bring a first aid and supply bag

Next in the long line of pet sitting tips: Be ready for anything. At Burnell Pets, our first aid and supply kit includes nearly 100 carefully selected items. Our kit is designed to address a wide range of pet health emergencies and complications. It contains resources for treating wounds from bites, cuts, scrapes, and abrasions, as well as burns, hyperthermia, hypothermia, eye injuries, gastrointestinal issues, inflammation, broken bones, severe injuries such as limb loss, and pain management. It is built to handle everything from minor accidents to critical, time-sensitive situations—because being prepared can make all the difference. A well-stocked kit isn’t just helpful—it can be the difference between managing an emergency effectively or being caught unprepared. Emergencies don’t wait until you’re “ready.”

4. Do a Health Check at the Start and End of Each Booking

You don’t need to be a veterinarian to perform a basic pet health check. Every responsible pet sitter, and pet owner, should know how to carry out simple daily or weekly checks to spot early signs of illness or injury. A quick head-to-tail check can alert you to new injuries, infections, or behavior changes. You’re the one with eyes on the pet while the client is away; catching changes early can prevent bigger issues later.

Performing a health check at the start of your booking helps you identify any existing issues before you take responsibility. If you notice an injury, infection, or abnormality upon arrival, notify the owner right away. This protects everyone involved; you, the pet, and the owner, by creating a clear record of when a condition was first observed. Waiting several days and then discovering a cut or other issue creates uncertainty and stress. You may be unsure whether the problem occurred on your watch, which makes reporting more difficult. Your goal is to ensure the pet is healthy when you arrive and when you leave, and to communicate openly with the owner about anything you notice during the stay. 

5. Use a double door system whenever possible

If there’s a vestibule, porch, or mudroom that creates a barrier before the outside door, use it. It’s an added layer of security that prevents bolting dogs or curious cats from getting outside unexpectedly. If a double door system isn’t available—or if you’re not permitted to use it—take extra precautions when entering or exiting the home. Check for a window to locate the pet(s) before opening the door. If there’s no way to see through, slowly open the door while positioning your body or another object to block any potential escape. At Burnell Pets, we often use our body and/or first aid and supply backpack as a practical barrier to help block pets from dashing out the door. It serves as both a safety tool and a protective measure, ensuring better control during entry and exit, especially in homes without a double door system.

6. practice first aid and cpr regularly

Don’t just rely on that certification card you got two years ago. Practice the steps, watch refreshers, and run drills. These aren’t skills you want to be rusty on in a real emergency. Research shows that first aid and CPR knowledge fades quickly without regular practice, even shortly after completing training. Practicing these skills consistently is key to staying confident and effective during emergencies.

At Burnell Pets, we hold monthly first aid and CPR practice sessions. We even include our own dog, Daisy, to make the experience hands-on and realistic (Disclaimer: We do not perform CPR on our dog. Never perform CPR on a pet that is conscious). Practicing tasks like wound dressing, paired with positive reinforcement, not only improves your skills but also helps pets become more comfortable with being handled in unusual ways. In the event of an emergency, any sense of normalcy for the pet may help improve your ability to provide proper care.

Are these pet sitting tips helpful so far? If so, continue on as there are more pet sitting tips below that are often overlooked.

7. play out scenarios before arriving

Mentally rehearse: What if a dog has a seizure? The door won’t lock? The cat is vomiting, now what? What if the cat escapes? How will I deal with a fire? What if the dog quarrels with a porcupine in the backyard? Thinking through “what-ifs” boosts your response time and helps you remain calm and capable. You obviously cannot plan for every scenario, but undertaking the “what-ifs” exercise gets you in the right frame of mind; it allows you to understand the risk and possibility of dealing with emergencies.

8. always use a vehicle, even for close jobs

Of all the pet sitting tips listed, this is one of the hardest to follow even for us at Burnell Pets, but we do ultimately follow it in the end. Even if a client is a 1-minute walk away, drive. If a pet needs to be rushed to the vet, being on foot or bike could delay care. Always be ready for unplanned transport. 

9. ask for a backup key (not just keypad access)

Technology fails. Batteries die. Apps glitch. Always have a backup physical key or ensure a neighbor has access. Getting locked out with pets inside isn’t just stressful; it’s dangerous.

Early in our career, we were given only the keypad code to access a client’s home where a French bulldog lived. The family had traveled over 200 miles away for the weekend. During one of our visits, the keypad failed due to an internal malfunction, and we had no backup key. We had to contact the owner, who cut their trip short and returned home that same day.

Fortunately, the dog was unharmed, but the situation could have ended very differently. Since then, we always require a backup method of entry. And it’s a good thing we do because we’ve encountered at least two more keypad failures since, but thanks to having an override key, we were able to enter safely and without incident.

10. don’t bring toxic foods with you

Chocolate, grapes, and gum for starters. Keep human snacks sealed in your car or bring only pet-safe options. Curious noses find everything. You never want to risk causing harm to a client’s pet. If you absolutely must bring potentially toxic foods, store them in a secure, inaccessible area; preferably in a locked room. However, accidents happen. Cats find their way into hidden spaces, dogs open doors, and humans forget to put chocolate away after just a few bites. To avoid any risk altogether, it’s best to leave toxic foods at home when you’re on a pet sitting job.

11. know the walking routes

Before your first walk, scout the area. Know which homes have off-leash or reactive dogs, and which paths are safe. Preparedness here can prevent fights, injuries, and trauma—for both pet and sitter. At Burnell Pets, we ask clients to share their usual walking routes during our initial meetings. When we arrive for a walk, we may drive the route first to check for potential hazards like off-leash dogs or other safety concerns. If we spot an unsecured dog with a known bite history, we make a note and choose an alternate route for that day. While walking, always stay alert. Keep your head on a swivel and be aware of your surroundings at all times to protect both yourself and the pets in your care. 

12. confirm care instructions every time

Even long-time clients change feeding schedules, add meds, or rearrange routines. Never assume the old plan is still accurate. Ask for confirmation before every single booking. Pet owners often update sitters with new instructions, but not always. If you haven’t heard from the client, never assume the previous plan is still valid. Clear communication is essential to successful pet sitting. A quick message or call asking, “Have any instructions changed since the last visit?” usually gets you the clarity you need, and helps avoid mistakes.

13. check that there’s enough food and medication (plus extra)

Always confirm supply levels at the start of your stay. You don’t want to realize on a Sunday night that the meds ran out and the stores are closed. Both pet sitters and clients often overlook this detail. If a pet’s food runs out, you need to know exactly what brand and formula they eat. At Burnell Pets, we include this information in our intake forms to ensure we’re prepared. This helps us track food recalls and allows us to quickly purchase the right food in case of an emergency. As a general guideline, we recommend clients provide at least two weeks’ worth of extra food, medication, and essential supplies for any multi-day booking.

14. learn the home’s quirks

Clients may forget to mention that the furnace clicks off, the water heater might need occasional resetting, or the basement door doesn’t latch properly. It’s important to ask about these types of home quirks in advance so you’re not left fumbling with appliances or caught off guard in a power outage. Be sure to bring this up before or during your meet and greet so the client can walk you through any special instructions. 

15. check the yard for escape risks

Before letting a dog out into a fenced yard, always inspect the perimeter. Check for loose boards, dug-out holes, or weak latches. Dogs are skilled at finding escape routes you might not expect. Ideally, do this inspection during your initial meet and greet. Make note of any potential hazards such as gaps or holes in the fence. Share your observations with the client, as they may not be aware of these risks. If they fix the issues before your booking, that’s ideal. If not, you’ll be able to develop a clear plan to prevent escapes. That plan might include keeping the dog on a leash and harness while outside, avoiding certain areas of the yard, or using barriers to block off risky sections to prevent escapes and keep the pet safe.

16. Check for toxic plants indoors and out

Lilies to oleander, sago palm and rhododendrons. These are just a few common plants that can be deadly to pets. If you notice any toxic plants inside or outside the home, be sure to notify the client. It could literally save a life. Always check for dangerous plants during the meet and greet so you know what to expect. Repeat this check at the start of every booking because clients may add or move plants over time. Just because a room was safe during your last visit doesn’t mean it still is. For instance, someone might place a bouquet of lilies in the “cat room” without realizing the risk. Learn to recognize toxic plants and communicate any concerns to the client clearly. Taking this simple step helps keep pets safe and shows your professionalism as a pet sitter. 

17. ask about local wildlife risks

From hawks and snakes to aggressive raccoons and coyotes, wildlife risks vary depending on the area. Clients may not always think to mention these, so it’s important to ask. Knowing, for example, that a porcupine waddles through the backyard every morning at 8 a.m. can help you prevent an unwanted encounter. It’s much better to be prepared than to watch a dog chase after it. If a certain region is experiencing a rise in rabid foxes or raccoons, staying informed through local news and your client’s insights can help you plan ahead. Wildlife awareness isn’t only about direct threats to pets; it also includes respecting the presence of rare or endangered plants and animals. Know where they are, and take care to avoid disturbing these areas.

18. keep records of all communication

This may be one of the more obvious of the pet sitting tips. Good recorded communication is key to a successful pet sitting and pet care business. Text threads, care notes, and medication reminders add up quickly. Keep detailed records of all communication so you can easily refer back to them during bookings or in case of a disagreement. Platforms like Rover automatically store communication for your reference, your client’s reference, and Rover support in the event of a complaint. Other tools such as Time To Pet, as well as Pet Pocketbook, and Precise Petcare also offer reliable systems for recording and organizing client communication. 

19. Work within your comfort and competency zones

It’s okay to turn down a dog with reactivity issues or a cat who needs injections if you’re not trained for that. Know your limits and stick to them, for your sake and theirs. This leads to our next point.

20. learn to say “no”

Saying no can be difficult, but it’s often the most professional decision you can make. If a booking doesn’t feel right or your schedule is already full, trust your instincts and decline politely. Setting boundaries is essential for providing responsible, high-quality care. Pay close attention to red flags during initial communication or the meet and greet. If anything raises concerns, it’s absolutely okay to say no as long as you do so respectfully and professionally. For more guidance on identifying potential client red flags, see the Screening Potential Clients section in our blog titled How To Become A Pet Sitter With No Experience.

Saying “No” doesn’t end with the client; check out of blog Dog Walking Boundaries: Saying No to On-Leash Greetings.

21. watch the weather forecast daily

Weather plays a big role in the safety of both pets and sitters. Heat waves, thunderstorms, and icy sidewalks can affect everything from walkability to travel time. Check the forecast before each shift and prepare accordingly. If you expect high winds or power outages, create a backup plan. If flooding might occur and certain roads often cause trouble, plan alternative routes to the client’s home. To stay prepared and professional, create a clear inclement weather policy and share it with clients before accepting or beginning any booking.

22. Go Fragrance-Free During Visits

As pet sitters, we often want to make a good impression, including how we smell. But for dogs in particular, our idea of “smelling good” can be overwhelming. Their sense of smell is thousands of times more sensitive than ours. What’s a pleasant fragrance to us might be irritating, or even distressing, to them. To provide the most comfortable experience for pets, avoid wearing perfumes, colognes, or strongly scented lotions during visits. Opt for unscented, pet-safe personal products and cleaning supplies when possible.

23. invest in your education and growth

Every pet sitter has areas where they can grow, including us at Burnell Pets. That’s why we’re committed to continuous learning and improvement. Whether it’s cat behavior, leash handling, or business operations, seek out certifications and ongoing education to sharpen your skills. Clients and their pets deserve a sitter who is dedicated to professional growth and excellence.

Pet Sitting Tips Wrap Up

There’s more to pet sitting than most people realize, and this list is just scratching the surface. At Burnell Pets, we’re committed to empowering pet care professionals through education, training, and community. Stay tuned for our upcoming courses, where we’ll take a deep dive into pet sitting tips and topics like these, and much more.

Until then, keep learning, keep caring, and keep raising the standard for what pet sitting can and should be.