American Humane Society has supported the well-being of animals and the people who love them for nearly 150 years. Whether you are booking a professional pet sitter, arranging boarding at a facility or asking a trusted neighbor to check in, the steps you take before you leave directly shape your pet’sexperience while you are away.
This guide is designed for first-time pet parents and seasoned ones alike. Preparing for pet care is no different than preparing for the trip itself. Pack for yourself, then prepare for your pet.
What Type of Pet Care Is Right for Your Pet?
Not every situation calls for the same solution. Understanding your options helps you match the right care style to your pet’s personality and needs.
In-home pet sitting (drop-in visits)
A sitter visits your home one or more times per day to feed, walk and spend time with your pet. This works well for cats, low-anxiety dogs and pets that do better in their own environment.
Overnight in-home care
A sitter stays at your home while you are away. This is a strong option for pets that are anxious, elderly or medically complex and need a more consistent presence.
Boarding facilities
Your pet stays at a dedicated facility. This can be a veterinary office with boarding, a pet hotel or a specialty kennel. Best for social, healthy pets that adapt well to new environments.
Trusted friends, family or neighbors
Sometimes the most familiar face is the right answer. If you are asking a teenager or younger person to help, make sure a parent or responsible adult is available as a backup. Life happens, and if your young helper gets sick, has school obligations or cannot make it to your home, your pet still needs care. Name a backup person in your written instructions and confirm both people know they are on the list. Make sure whoever you ask is comfortable with your pet’s routine before you leave, not just willing.
For pets with significant anxiety or behavioral needs, research suggests that maintaining familiar routines and environments can reduce stress indicators such as elevated cortisol levels. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian before choosing a care type.
How to Find and Vet a Pet Sitter
A good referral goes a long way. Start with your veterinarian. Many practices keep a list of trusted local sitters they can recommend. You can also ask your local animal shelter, pet supply store or neighbors with pets.
When evaluating a potential sitter or facility, ask:
- Do they have experience with your specific species and breed?
- Are they trained in pet first aid or CPR?
- Do they have references from current clients?
- What is their plan if your pet has a medical emergency?
- For facilities: Are they licensed? Inspected? What is the staff-to-animal ratio?
- Are they currently caring for other animals in other homes during your same trip window? If your pet has time-sensitive medical needs, a sitter managing multiple clients simultaneously may not be able to reliably hit a specific medication time. Ask directly and factor the answer into your decision.
- Can they do a meet-and-greet before your departure? This is already mentioned in the Preparing Your Pet section, but flag it at the vetting stage too. A sitter who is not willing to meet your pet before day one is worth reconsidering.
If you use an app-based service, look for sitters with verified reviews and ask for a meet-and-greet before committing. That first interaction tells you a lot.
What to Prepare Before You Leave
This is where most pet owners underestimate how much detail matters. Write everything down. Do not rely on verbal instructions or assume your sitter will know.
Food and medications
- Count out the exact portions or cans and set them on the counter or in a clearly labeled bag. If you use a measuring cup, leave it out.
- If your pet is on prescription food, note this explicitly. Prescription diets are not interchangeable and running out mid-stay is a real risk.
- For medications: write the name, dose, how to administer it and what time of day. Leave the medication in the original labeled container if possible.
- Note any food allergies or items your pet should never have.
Feeding schedule and routine
- What time does your pet eat? How many times a day?
- Does your dog need a potty break within 30 minutes of eating?
- Does your cat graze or eat on a set schedule?
Enrichment and favorites
- What toys does your pet love? Note any that are interactive and require supervision versus ones that are fine to leave out.
- Are there activities, games or routines your pet looks forward to? A dog that loves a specific walk route or a cat that expects a laser pointer session before bed will do better if the sitter knows to keep that going.
- Note any strong aversions. Some pets are genuinely distressed by specific sounds, objects or textures. Aluminum foil, certain appliances, the vacuum, a particular ringtone — these are worth writing down so your sitter is not caught off guard.
Water access
- If your pet uses a water fountain, leave clear instructions for how it works, how to refill it and where replacement filters are stored if applicable.
- If the fountain is not running for any reason, make sure your sitter knows to set out a standard bowl in the interim. Fresh water access should never be in question.
- Consider leaving multiple water bowls in different areas of the home, especially for cats or homes where your pet tends to roam different rooms.
Hiding spots and quirks
- Where does your pet hide when scared? Under the bed? Behind the dryer?
- Does your pet get anxious during thunderstorms or when the doorbell rings?
- Are there sounds, objects or situations that reliably trigger stress?
Where everything is located
- Food and treats
- Leashes and harnesses
- Carriers and crates
- Waste bags and cleaning supplies
- Extra litter (for cats)
Veterinary contacts
- Name, phone number and address of your regular vet
- Name, address and phone number of your nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital
- Your pet’s microchip number if applicable
- Insurance information if applicable
Household access
- Wi-Fi password. This one gets overlooked consistently. If cell service is spotty and your sitter needs to reach someone quickly, Wi-Fi could matter.
- Door codes, alarm codes or key locations
- Trash pickup days if they are staying overnight
- Instructions for any smart home devices that could confuse a first-time visitor
Preparing Your Pet for the Transition
A sudden change in your pet’s environment or schedule can cause stress, especially for animals with existing anxiety.
Here are a few things that can help:
- Do a trial run. If you are using a new sitter, have them come over for a meet-and-greet while you are home. Let your pet set the pace for that introduction.
- Keep your departure low-key. Long, emotional goodbyes can heighten anxiety in dogs. A calm, matter-of-fact exit tends to result in a smoother transition.
- Leave something familiar. A worn shirt or a familiar blanket near your pet’s sleeping area can provide comfort through scent, particularly for dogs.
- Keep feeding times consistent. Even if everything else changes, keeping meal times the same helps anchor your pet’s sense of routine.
- For cats specifically: Set up a safe room with food, water, litter and a hiding option before your sitter arrives. Some cats will never come out from under the couch for a stranger. That is okay. The goal is access to their basic needs, not forced socialization.
Special Considerations for Medical and Senior Pets
Pets with chronic conditions, mobility limitations or age-related changes need extra planning. Do not assume a general-use sitter will know how to handle a pet on medication or one with specific mobility needs.
Before booking:
- Confirm your sitter is comfortable administering medications in the form your pet requires (oral pill, liquid, injection, topical).
- For diabetic pets, discuss blood glucose monitoring protocols with your vet and your sitter.
- For senior pets, note any recent changes in behavior, appetite or mobility that your sitter should watch for.
- Ask your veterinarian if there are any additional instructions specific to your pet’s condition while you are away.
If your pet’s needs are complex, boarding at a veterinary practice with clinical staff on-site may be the safest option.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Sitters and Boarding Pets
Before leaving, prepare written instructions covering your pet’s feeding schedule, medications, veterinary contacts and household access information including Wi-Fi. Count out exact food portions in advance and leave medications in labeled containers with clear dosing instructions.
Ask your veterinarian for recommendations first. Many practices maintain a list of trusted local sitters. You can also ask neighbors with pets or your local shelter for referrals. When evaluating anyone new, request references and schedule a meet-and-greet before your trip.
For pets with anxiety, in-home care is often preferred because it keeps the animal in a familiar environment with a consistent routine. Consult your veterinarian for guidance specific to your pet’s behavioral history.
Bring this up immediately with any sitter or facility you are considering. Confirm they are comfortable with your pet’s protocol and ensure you have enough supply to last the full duration of your trip plus a few days as a buffer.
Leave the name and address of your regular vet, your nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital and your own contact information including a backup number. Your pet’s microchip number and any pet insurance details are also worth including. Also include the name of a trusted individual that can make medical decisions for your pet in the event the pet sitter cannot reach you.
A pet sitter typically comes to your home or stays in it, while a boarder takes your pet to their facility or a dedicated boarding location. Both can be excellent options depending on your pet’s temperament, health needs and how they respond to new environments.
The Bond Does Not Take a Break
Planning for pet care while you travel is one of the clearest expressions of the commitment you made when you welcomed an animal into your home. It takes a little extra time, but it is what responsible and loving pet ownership looks like.
American Humane Society has spent nearly 150 years advocating for the humane treatment of animals in every setting. The human-animal bond is one of the most powerful relationships we know, and it continues even when you are miles away. The preparation you do before you leave is how you honor that bond.
