You’re about to leave for a trip and realized you haven’t prepped anything. Start here. Leaving your dog with a pet sitter for the first time — or even the tenth time — goes so much better when you’ve done the groundwork. The best pet sitters in the world can only work with the information they have. An underprepared handoff leads to guesswork, panicked texts, and a stressed dog.
This is the complete checklist. Work through it before every new sitter, and update it whenever anything changes. You can copy it into a document and leave a printed copy for your sitter.
Step 1: The Meet-and-Greet (Non-Negotiable for New Sitters)
Before your dog is ever left alone with a new sitter, they need to meet on neutral or home turf. This is not optional — especially for dogs with any anxiety, reactivity, or strong territorial instincts.
How to Run an Effective Meet-and-Greet
- Choose the right setting. For a home-visit sitter, do it at your house. For a boarding sitter, visit their space. Avoid loud, crowded public places for the first introduction.
- Let your dog lead. Don’t force interaction. Allow your dog to approach the sitter in their own time. Ask the sitter to crouch down, avoid direct eye contact initially, and let the dog sniff before reaching out to pet.
- Watch body language. A loose, wiggly body and curiosity = good. Tucked tail, cowering, growling, or hiding = this dog needs more time before you leave them alone with this person.
- Run a short trial. If possible, have the sitter come for 1–2 hours while you’re still home, then 2–3 hours while you step out nearby. Don’t jump straight to an overnight without building up.
- Discuss everything. The meet-and-greet is also when you walk through the house, show where everything is, and go over the full checklist below.
Step 2: Feeding and Nutrition Information
Leave nothing ambiguous here. A sitter who isn’t sure about feeding amounts will either overfeed (causing GI upset) or underfeed (causing a hungry, frustrated dog).
Feeding Checklist
- 📋 Food type and brand: Exact name, flavor, and form (dry/wet/raw). Leave a photo if it helps.
- 📋 Amount per meal: Specify in cups, cans, or grams — not “a bowl.”
- 📋 Meal times: Morning and evening at what times, approximately.
- 📋 Where the food is kept.
- 📋 Treats: Which treats are allowed, how many per day, any treats that are off-limits.
- 📋 Known food sensitivities or allergies: Any ingredient they absolutely cannot have.
- 📋 Safe people food (if any): What you allow and in what amounts.
- 📋 Water: How often to refresh the bowl, whether your dog uses a water fountain or auto-waterer, and where it’s located.
- 📋 If your dog is a picky eater: What to do if they skip a meal.
Step 3: Medications and Health Information
This section can be life or death. Be thorough.
Medication Details
- 💊 Medication name, dose, and frequency — written out exactly, not abbreviated
- 💊 What the medication is for — so the sitter understands why it matters
- 💊 How to give it: Hidden in food? Pill pocket? Direct? Your dog’s preferred method
- 💊 What to do if a dose is missed
- 💊 Storage: Does it need to be refrigerated?
- 💊 Where the medications are kept
- 💊 Any medical conditions the sitter should be aware of: diabetes, epilepsy, heart condition, recent surgery, known allergies
Step 4: Emergency Contacts
Print these on a separate sheet and stick it on the fridge in addition to leaving it digitally.
- 🆘 Your cell phone number: Primary contact. Best hours to call vs. text.
- 🆘 Secondary contact: Someone local who can respond physically if you’re unreachable
- 🆘 Your regular vet: Name, address, phone number, hours
- 🆘 Nearest emergency/after-hours vet: Name, address, phone number
- 🆘 ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
- 🆘 Whether the sitter is authorized to approve emergency vet care — and if so, up to what dollar amount
Step 5: Behavioral Quirks, Fears, and Triggers
This is the section most owners rush through — and the one that causes the most preventable problems. Be honest and specific.
What to Cover
- 🐾 Separation anxiety: Does your dog handle alone time well? How long before they start getting distressed? What does that look like? See also: 8 Calming Products for Pets with Anxiety
- 🐾 Fear triggers: Thunderstorms? Fireworks? Strangers at the door? Hats? Vacuum cleaners? Skateboards? Be specific. (Guide: Calming Anxious Dogs During Thunderstorms)
- 🐾 Dog reactivity: Are they reactive to other dogs? On or off leash? What does “reactive” look like for your specific dog?
- 🐾 Resource guarding: Does your dog guard food, toys, or their sleeping area? What do they do if approached while eating?
- 🐾 Escape tendencies: Are they a flight risk? Do they try to bolt out the door? Any fence-jumping or digging history?
- 🐾 Known aggression: If your dog has ever snapped, growled seriously, or bitten, your sitter needs to know. This protects both of them.
- 🐾 Things that always work: Their favorite toy, their comfort word, what calms them down fastest, how they like to be petted
Step 6: Exercise and Daily Routine
Dogs thrive on routine. A sitter who maintains your dog’s normal schedule will have a much calmer, happier dog to care for. See: The Ultimate Guide to Daily Pet Care Routines.
- 🦮 Walk frequency and duration: How many times a day, how long, what route if any
- 🦮 Off-leash time: Do they get yard time? Is the yard fully secure?
- 🦮 Exercise needs: High-energy breed that needs a real run, or a couch potato that’s happy with a 20-minute stroll?
- 🦮 Play preferences: Fetch? Tug? Puzzle toys? Solo play vs. interactive?
- 🦮 Morning routine: First thing in the morning — outside immediately? Breakfast first?
- 🦮 Bedtime routine: Last potty at what time? Where do they sleep?
Step 7: House Rules and Where Everything Is
House Rules
- 🏠 Furniture rules: which rooms, which furniture, with or without a dog blanket
- 🏠 Doors and gates that must stay closed
- 🏠 Areas that are off-limits to the dog
- 🏠 Any security system codes or lock instructions
Where Everything Is
- 📍 Dog food and treats
- 📍 Leash and collar/harness (spare, in case one breaks?)
- 📍 Poop bags
- 📍 Medications
- 📍 First aid kit (How to Set Up a Pet First Aid Kit)
- 📍 Dog’s comfort items (bed, crate, blanket, favorite toy)
- 📍 Cleaning supplies for accidents
- 📍 Vet records
Recommended: Tools That Make Pet Sitting Smoother
Pet Info Binder / Notebook
A dedicated physical binder for your dog’s complete care info — food, meds, contacts, vet records, behavioral notes. Sitters love having everything in one place. Takes 20 minutes to set up once and works for every future sitter.
Furbo Dog Camera
Two-way audio + video so you can check on your dog and talk to them remotely. The treat-toss feature lets you reward calm behavior from across the world. Reduces your anxiety as much as your dog’s. Check our full review: Best Pet Cameras for Apartments.
Key Lockbox
A combination lockbox mounted near your door means you can give a sitter access without handing over keys — and revoke it instantly. Far more convenient (and secure) than making copies for every sitter.
KONG Classic (for Separation Anxiety)
Stuff with peanut butter or kibble, freeze overnight, and give it to your dog when the sitter arrives. A frozen KONG occupies an anxious dog for 20–30 minutes — long enough to settle and stop fixating on your absence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I ensure my dog feels comfortable with the pet sitter?
Schedule a meet-and-greet where your dog can approach the sitter at their own pace, allowing time for them to get acquainted.
What specific information should I include in the feeding schedule for my dog?
Include the type and brand of food, exact amounts per meal, and specific meal times to avoid any confusion.
What should I do if my dog has behavioral quirks or anxiety?
Document these quirks clearly for the sitter, and discuss them during the meet-and-greet to ensure they understand how to manage your dog’s needs.
Is it necessary to provide emergency contact information to the pet sitter?
Yes, always provide emergency contacts, including your veterinarian’s number, in case any urgent situations arise.
How should I prepare the supplies for the pet sitter?
Organize all necessary supplies, such as food, treats, leashes, and medications, in one accessible area to make it easy for the sitter to find everything.