Your pet loves to be around you, that’s a given. But sometimes you can’t be home with your furry friend, like work, an evening outing or a vacation. While some pets do good in a boarding facility, most of them get highly stressed in an environment where they are left alone or locked up in a small room/cage. During these times, pet sitters can be the perfect solution. They provide everything from daycare to overnight care, at your home or theirs. They offer comfort and one-on-one attention to your pets and provide you daily updates of your pet. Taking time to figure out what’s important to you in a pet sitter will help you find the right one for you and your pet.
7 Important Things to Look For
Here are some things to consider as you review your pet-sitting options:
1. Specialty
Sitters can also specialize in a kind of pet. There are those who like small and large dogs, and still other people just observe cats. Those other people might be talented at making friends with older dogs or eager to work with puppies. Unless it mentions so on their pages, inquire as to the kind of animals the pet sitter in dubai has prior experience with, e.g., a sitter that is seen posing on the couch with a pair of dogs at each end would have the experience of handling dogs.
Not every sitter does not feels comfortable taking all kinds of animals. Others could be good with dogs, others would find fitting cats or old pets. Always ask:
- Are they used to treating pets such as yours?
- Do they manage to deal with breed-specific behaviours or fears?
The more familiar a pet sitter in Dubai is with your pet and his nature, the easier it will be for him to look after them.
2. Location
The location and the structure of the service- the pet sitter is one of the foremost considerations to make before selecting one. Would you like a sitter to enter your house, or will you leave your pet at their place?
Home pet sitting is also an ideal solution for those pet owners whose pets are more comfortable in a familiar environment. It comes in handy with pets that are not spoiled to journeys or with homes that have several pets. Your pet will also be kept to its routine without much stress since you have a sitter living in your house.
Having your pet stay at the sitter’s house can also be good too especially as long as it is the same type as yours. You should never ignore the question of whether or not the place where a pet sitter is going to keep your pet is something that would be comfortable for the pet.
Making a proper selection of setup not only relieves you of stress but also qualifies the behavior of your pet, its routine, to remain stable even when you are not around.
3. Environment & Safety
Make sure the space is appropriate for your pet’s needs if the pet sitter you are considering looks after a flock, herd, or several animals at their house. Look for:
- A hygienic and secure setting
- Hazard-free, pet-proofed spaces
- A regulated environment that closely mimics the natural habitat of your pet
Many pet owners are unaware of the importance of this. For instance, a dog used to running loose in a yard might become anxious if kept in an apartment.
Make an effort to choose a sitter whose living circumstances are comparable to your own when you drop your pet off at their house. Select a sitter with a comparable outdoor area if your pet likes to run and play in a fenced yard. On the other hand, boarding your pet in a similar setting will help them stay comfortable and less anxious if they live in an apartment.
4. Medical & Special Care Capabilities
It is also necessary that when you select a person to do pet sitting, you have to make sure that this person has a schedule that coincides with your pet and the routine and needs that it entails in its activities on a daily basis. Ask yourself:
- Is the sitter a stay-at-home person?
- Are they able to offer normal walks, feeding, and play?
If your pet is accustomed to being with someone at all times, then do not hire full-time employees who spend most of their time away from home.
Also, in case your pet requires any medical service, seek a sitter with experience in dealing with medication. Your sitter should monitor your pet and administer the necessary care, which may include giving pills, injections, and the execution of a pet care plan that was agreed upon by you and the vet.
Having a sitter that suits not only the routine of your pet, but also his or her health needs will provide you with comfort, safety, and peace when you are out.
5. Availability & Daily Routine
When you are choosing a pet sitter, you should make sure that the person has a schedule that matches the needs of your pet. Consider:
- Are they remnants at home most of the time?
- Are they able to offer walks and feed, and play?
In case your pet needs constant companionship, then you should not leave him/her with sitters who work full-time.
Besides the availability, good communication is important. A good pet sitter needs to be committed to sending you photos and videos of the pet frequently so that you can be at ease that your pet is doing fine and is well taken care of in your absence.
6. Think of Your Pet’s Comfort
One should know whether there will be any other pets or children around during the sitting period. This aspect can affect the comfort and security of your pet.
Ask yourself:
- Are there pets in the home of the sitter?
- Do the visits bring in children?
It is an added critical consideration, particularly when you have a fearful, responsive, or poorly socialized pet. As a consequence, contact with unknown animals or children may result in stress or dangerous cases. A serious sitter will be open about her household situation to allow you to make a decisive decision.
7. References & Reviews
References and reviews play an important role in the selection of a dependable pet sitter. Any professional sitter will be pleased to offer:
- Customer testimonials from past clients to depict their record
- Contact details of references that can be interviewed about his or her experience
- Booking confirmation or reviews by established booking networks
Go through reviews on such sites as Google Reviews or other professional pet sitting platforms like Pawland. This study will guide you to locate a sitter who is proven reliable and whose services are of high quality.
Questions to Ask Potential Pet Sitters
During your personal one-on-one meet and greet session, ensure you cover the following points
Where will my pet be sleeping?
If you’re taking your pet to the pet sitter’s home, this is important to know. You want the rules to be the same as they are in your home.
Will there be other pets?
Find out how many furry friends your pet will have to play with, as well as how big they are. You don’t want your pet to be overwhelmed or accidentally injured by another pet.
Where and when will your pet be fed?
Talk about your pet’s routine and how you can keep that similar to what your pet is used to.
Will kids be around my pet at any time?
This is especially important to know if your pet gets stressed around children.
What is your schedule like?
Choose a pet sitter who has a similar schedule to yours. If you’re home most of the day, you want a pet sitter who also stays home. But if your pet is used to you being away for part of the day, then a pet sitter who goes to work for a portion of the day won’t be a problem.
What happens if there’s an emergency with my pet?
It’s best to find out in advance what would happen in the worst-case scenario. Say your pet gets injured or becomes ill—what will the pet sitter do? What happens if they can’t reach you? Discuss these things just in case so you’re certain you’re on the same page.
Do you have references?
An experienced pet sitter should provide references upon request. Be sure to contact those people to make sure the pet sitter is credible.
Pawland offers Pet Sitting & Pet Boarding services across the UAE with the ease of having a pet sitter come to your house or sending your pet to theirs. With verified, experienced, and highly trusted pet sitters, your pet will always be in safe hands. Visit www.mypawland.com to book your sitter today. Pawland Domestic Pets Boarding
