Hiring a Pet Sitter? Tips from the Experts

Choosing the right pet sitter to come into your home and care for your animals can be an intimating task. 

You want to make sure you’re choosing someone trustworthy and reliable, but who will also provide your pets with the same love and care that you would. 

Several NoVA pet sitters weigh in on what you should consider when choosing the perfect caregiver for your pets. 

Determine Your Budget and Requirements 

It’s important to first decide on the budget you would like to spend for this, as well as a schedule for how many visits you want the pet sitter to make. 

Many pet-sitting companies charge by how long the visit is, however, others may simply offer a flat rate per visit. And some charge depending on the type of pet. 

In the DC area, rates can range from $20 to $50 per visit, depending on the number and type of pets, and length of visit. 

Several companies also offer overnight stays, which can range from $100 to $180 or more per night. 

“It’s super helpful when first reaching out to a potential pet sitting company if you are able to communicate your exact needs,” says Beth Cotell, co-owner of All Friends Pet Care in Herndon. “Do your research, check reviews and references, and make sure you are comfortable with the company policies and procedures.” 

“Be sure to discuss key handling and management, and make sure you understand the total cost and payment options prior to the service,” says Pam Ahart-Steward, another co-owner of All Friends Pet Care. 

What Qualities Do You Want in a Pet Sitter?  

When beginning your search, it’s good to have an idea of the qualities you’re looking for in a pet sitter. 

“A strong pet sitter will have excellent communication and be responsive to questions and inquiries,” Cotell says. “They should have experience with your breed or type of pet and be willing to ask questions to clarify any care instructions that may be unclear.” 

Additionally, that person should be punctual and transparent about when and for how long the visits last.  

“My whole goal behind pet care is to keep the pet as stress-free and in their normal routine as possible,” says Colleen Flanagan, owner of Your Dog Smiles Pet Services in Leesburg. “For this reason, it’s important that the sitter can complete the visits around the times the pet is used to having potty breaks and feedings. I know my dogs tell me every day it’s time for dinner around the same time. As a pet sitter, I want to match that energy for my clients as best as possible.” 

“Sitters should also know basic pet first aid and should be able to capably administer medications,” says Ahart-Steward. 

“And make sure you can meet the person ahead of time, as they should want to evaluate your pet(s), too,” says Desiree Lomer-Clarke, head trainer and owner of Arlington Dog Nanny. 

Know What Questions to Ask a Pet Sitter 

You should have a list of questions ready to ask any potential candidates. This can be helpful to both you and the pet sitter to determine whether that person has the skills needed to care for your pet. 

Here are a few examples of questions you may ask: 

• Do you have any training or certifications? 

• How long have you been pet sitting for? 

• What would your typical visit with the pet be like? 

• What kind of hands-on experience do you have with this breed or species of pet? 

• What is your plan in case of an emergency? 

• Are you comfortable with and experienced with administering medications? 

And if you are working with a company versus an individual, it’s important to ask if it will be the same person visiting every day and what happens if the sitter is unable to come? 

“A good company should always have a backup plan in place for you,” says Meghan Cromartie, owner of Meg’s Loving Pet Care in Bristow. 

Questions related to your pet’s specific needs are key. 

For example, says Flanagan, if you have a high-energy dog, you might want to ask the sitter if they can take the dog for a long walk. Or if your cat likes to be brushed daily, is the pet sitter comfortable brushing your cat? 

Caring for Dogs Versus Cats  

People tend to either be “cat people” or “dog people” so you always want to make sure you’re hiring a sitter who is comfortable with the animals you have.  

“For a dog, the sitter should be able to handle the strength of the dog and understand its temperament and needs,” says Flanagan. “For cats, they sometimes hide, so it’s important to try and lay eyes on them at least once during the visit to make sure they are OK and not trapped in a room or space they curiously crawled into.” 

Lomer-Clarke says cat sitters also need to have more experience with the health issues that arise with felines.  “There should be a discussion on what to expect from the cats,” Lomer-Clarke says. “We have a certified cat and small mammal expert to make sure that the cats and bunnies get the same level of love and attention as the dogs.” 

There can also be a difference in the number of visits. 

“Dogs will need multiple visits per day, where cats usually only require one or two visits a day,” says Cromartie.  

Request References from Pet Sitters 

Finally, one of the best ways to find out if a pet sitter is a good match for your needs and requirements is to ask others who have experience with that pet sitter first-hand. 

“References also help to determine work ethic, problem-solving, and communication skills — which are all huge factors when it comes to caring for pets,” says Cotell. 

You can also check Google and Yelp reviews to get an idea of customer feedback. 

Feature image, stock.adobe.com

For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine’s Pets newsletter.