The Perks of In-Home Pet Sitting: A Staycation for Your Pet 

Are you considering in-home pet sitting if you’re travelling soon and can’t take your dog with you? 

Leaving your pet and home can be daunting. Having done this several times over the years, we know this all too well! It’s why it’s so important to know that your best friend will be treated with the same love and care as if you were home.

It’s for this reason we’ve always used in-home pet sitters for our boys, Ziggy and Sunny.

When telling friends and family of our plans, the common response we hear is, “I would never have a stranger stay in my home!” And we always end up explaining the many benefits to having a house sitter and pet sitter.

If you are contemplating the best way to have your furry family members cared for while you’re away, here’s why we believe in-home pet sitting is the kindest solution.

Besides…who doesn’t love a staycation?

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Why In-Home Pet Sitting is the Kindest Choice When You’re Away

While taking Ziggy and Sunny on pet-friendly holidays is one of our favourite things to do as a family, unfortunately it’s not always possible to bring them with us (they wouldn’t appreciate the 24hr flight from Melbourne to London that’s for sure!)

For those times, we’ve arranged in-home pet sitting. In fact, over the years we’ve used several different house sitters and pet sitters. So we certainly feel qualified to discuss the benefits – and common concerns!

Let’s address those concerns now, and why we wholeheartedly believe in-home pet sitting is a much better alternative to other forms of holiday pet care.

5 main concerns of in-home pet sitting

Many pet parents feel anxious about entrusting their home, and their much-loved pets, to someone they don’t know. It’s perfectly natural to have concerns, especially when it’s a first-time experience. 

Here are the most common blockers:

Home security: Concerns about the safety and security of their belongings while they’re away.
Pet’s well-being: Fear that the sitter may not care for their pet properly or stick to their routines.
Sitter’s reliability: Uncertainty about whether the sitter has enough experience or knowledge to handle emergencies, or if they will cancel last minute.
Miscommunication: Anxiety about whether the sitter will follow house rules or understand specific pet care instructions.
Trust issues: The idea of inviting a stranger into your personal space can feel like a big leap of faith.

These concerns are all valid, and we completely relate to each of them (especially as Sunny has cerebellar hypoplasia and requires special care).

However, when carefully considered, the benefits of having an in-home pet sitter far outweigh the risks. 

Plus, there’s an easy solution to finding trustworthy sitters – more on that later!

The ‘stranger in our home’ fear

In our experience, one of the biggest concerns we’ve noticed among fellow pet parents is the thought of a ‘stranger’ staying in their home. 

Admittedly, it does sound scary at first – but let’s break it down. 

When you choose a reputable house and pet sitting platform (like TrustedHousesitters), you’re not just letting any random person into your home.

Here are a few ways house and pet sitting platforms such as TrustedHousesitters offer peace-of-mind to pet parents:

Pre-vetted sitters: TrustedHousesitters ensures all sitters go through a thorough sitter vetting process including identity checks (and background checks if you’re in the U.S.).
Reviews and references: You can read detailed profiles and reviews from other pet parents, giving you insights into how past stays have gone.
Communication: Before the sit, you’ll be able to communicate with your sitter, get to know them, and ensure they’re the right fit for your home and pet.

Ultimately, the fear of a stranger quickly fades when you know the person staying in your home has been properly vetted, comes with glowing recommendations from other pet parents, and most importantly – if you’ve arranged to meet with them in person before you go away.

4 benefits of in-home pet sitting for pet parents

Now, let’s look at why arranging a staycation for your pup is a smarter, kinder option than other forms of holiday pet care:

Comfort in familiar surroundings: Pets thrive when they’re in a space they know and love. Having a sitter come to them means they won’t have the stress of a new environment – something you won’t need to worry about while away.
Keeping their routine: Dogs are creatures of habit. An in-home pet sitter keeps them on their regular schedule for feeding, walks, and playtime, minimising any potential stress or disruption.
One-on-one attention: Sitters give your pet dedicated attention in the comfort of your home, rather than your pet being one of many in a dog boarding facility.
Security for your home: A sitter isn’t just there for your pet. They also help keep your home secure and maintained, such as collecting mail, watering your dog-friendly plants, and ensuring everything runs smoothly while you’re away.

As pet parents who have used in-home pet sitters on several occasions, the peace of mind you have knowing your pets are in their home, where they feel safest and content, is truly invaluable. It really does make being away from them so much easier.

What could go wrong with a house and pet sit?

While the majority of in-home pet sitting experiences are positive, it’s good to be prepared for any potential issues just in case.

Although we loved our last pet sitter (and the boys did too) unfortunately a couple of mishaps occurred while we were away!

While our 8-page dog sitter manual did mention Ziggy has a bad habit of stealing food from the kitchen counters, we really should have highlighted this in more detail.

Our sitter had their food stolen several times – even a freshly cooked steak that was resting on the counter! Ziggy certainly had a full belly while we were away.

Here are a few things that could potentially go wrong during a sit:

Lack of instructions: If pet parents don’t provide detailed instructions or communicate their pet’s needs clearly, it can lead to misunderstandings related to feeding schedules, medication routines, or quirky pet behaviours.
Inexperience with certain breeds or needs: While most pet sitters are experienced, a sitter unfamiliar with a specific breed or pup’s needs could face difficulties. If a pet has unique requirements or medical conditions, it’s important to make sure the sitter can handle them to avoid a stressful – or even unsafe – situation for your pet.
Cancellation or no-show: This is quite rare, but there’s always the chance a pet sitter may have to cancel at the last minute. It’s important to have a back-up plan if possible, or work with platforms like TrustedHousesitters, who offer a sit cancellation plan with their Premium Membership.

Tips to having a great experience with your pet sitter

Having used in-home pet sitters several times over the years, there are a few things we highly recommend you do to make sure your pet sitting experience goes as smoothly as possible.

Here’s a few handy tips to follow:

Clear communication: Set clear expectations with your sitter about caring for your pets, following house rules, and keeping in touch while you’re away.
Leave detailed instructions: Leave thorough instructions for everything from feeding times to favourite walking routes, even funny little habits your pets may have (as we mentioned, our dog sitter manual is 8 pages long!)
Meet & greet: This one is so important! If possible, arrange at least one meet-up before the sit to make sure your pet and the sitter click.
Leave your home tidy: We always make sure our pet sitter feels welcome and comfortable while we’re away, which starts with leaving a clean and tidy home for them!
Check-in updates: Stay connected with your sitter during your trip so you can receive regular updates, and of course cute photos of your pup enjoying their stay-cay.

What does in-home pet sitting cost?

One of the best things about using house sitting and pet sitting platforms like TrustedHousesitters is the money you will save. 

Instead of paying daily rates for boarding kennels, a one-time annual membership fee connects you with pet sitters worldwide.

For a fraction of the cost of boarding, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your pup is receiving one-on-one care in their happy place – your home!

Why we recommended TrustedHousesitters 

When it comes to finding reliable, trustworthy pet sitters, TrustedHousesitters has a good reputation for a few reasons: 

Global network of trusted sitters: Wherever you live, TrustedHousesitters can connect you with in-home pet sitters who are experienced and passionate about pets.
Affordable membership model: Unlike other pet sitting services, TrustedHousesitters operates on a membership basis, meaning sitters volunteer their time in exchange for staying at your home (rather than paying costly daily fees which adds up!)
Verified reviews & references: Every sitter comes with detailed reviews and references from previous sits, giving you peace of mind when choosing the right sitter for your pet.

The TrustedHousesitters platform is designed to ensure your sitter is as dedicated to caring for your best friend as you are. They also have a support team available should you need help at any time.

How does in-home pet sitting work?

Arranging a pet sitter through a platform such as TrustedHousesitters is fairly straightforward.

Here’s how the process generally works:

Sign up: Create a profile on their website, providing details about your pets, home, and specific needs while you’re away.
Search sitters: Browse through available sitters, or post your sit and let sitters reply to your ad.
Connect: Reach out to sitters who seem like a good fit, read their profiles and reviews, and arrange a meet.
Confirm the sit: Once you’ve found a great match, confirm the arrangement and start/end dates to the sit. 
Enjoy your holiday! Go on your trip, then come home to a happy, relaxed pet (who hasn’t missed a beat of their routine!)

Final thoughts…

We all know the saying, ‘there’s no place like home.’ And the same certainly applies to our furry family members! 

Leaving your dog behind when you travel really doesn’t have to be a stressful experience for either of you. By arranging an in-home pet sitter, you’re not only ensuring your pup is comfortable and content, but you’re also treating them to their very own staycation – where they can enjoy all their favourite spots and routines without any disruptions. 

We wholeheartedly believe it’s the best personalised care you can offer your pet while you’re away, all while keeping your home safe and sound.

The post The Perks of In-Home Pet Sitting: A Staycation for Your Pet  appeared first on Pretty Fluffy: The Ultimate Lifestyle Destination for Dog Lovers.