Pet Sitter Instructions Checklist: What to Leave Before You Travel
Give your pet sitter clear, useful instructions for meals, medications, routines, contacts, emergencies, and the small details that make care easier.
TL;DR
What should be in pet sitter instructions?
Give the sitter a one-page summary of your pet, exact meal and routine instructions, medication directions from your veterinary team, normal behavior, supply locations, your contact details, a backup caregiver, and veterinary and emergency clinic information.
The best pet sitter instructions are not long. They are specific enough that someone can follow them when you are on a plane, asleep, or slow to reply.
Write the instructions for the person who is actually providing care. If a neighbor visits twice a day, they need a different level of detail from a sitter staying in your home.
Start with a one-page pet profile
Put this at the top:
- pet name and recent photo
- species, breed, age, and personality
- your name and preferred contact method
- backup caregiver and phone number
- primary veterinarian and emergency clinic
- microchip information, if applicable
- known allergies or previous medication reactions
- what is normal for this pet
“Hides under the bed when the doorbell rings” is useful. “Acts weird” is not.
Write the daily routine in order
Use the order the sitter will experience it:
- Morning food and water
- Medication, if prescribed, following the written veterinary instruction
- Walk, litter, play, or enrichment
- Midday check or meal
- Evening food and the final bathroom break
- Overnight setup
Include exact locations, amounts, and times. If the timing is flexible, say so. If it is not flexible, highlight it.
Be precise about food
Record:
- food brand and recipe
- amount per meal
- measuring cup or scoop to use
- meal times
- approved treats and daily limit
- foods the sitter must not give
- where backup food is stored
Leave the food in its original container when possible. That keeps the product details and lot information available if a question comes up.
Add medication instructions carefully
Only copy the current written instructions from your veterinary team. Include the product name, strength, amount, schedule, and where it is stored. Show the sitter how you normally give it, but do not improvise a dose or ask the sitter to make treatment decisions.
Add:
- the last time it was given
- what to do if a dose is missed, using the clinic's instructions
- the clinic number for questions
- the date the sitter should stop or hand the medication back
For a more complete system, see how to organize your pet's medical records.
Explain what needs a message and what needs a call
Create a simple escalation plan that your veterinarian approves:
- Message me: routine questions, a missed walk, or a minor change in appetite
- Call the clinic: a concern that needs professional advice
- Call the emergency clinic: an urgent situation or instruction from the veterinary team
Do not try to create a diagnosis chart for a sitter. Give them the correct contact details and permission to ask for help.
Show where everything is
Leave a quick map or list for:
- food and treats
- leash, carrier, and waste bags
- litter and cleaning supplies
- medication and measuring tools
- spare keys and alarm instructions
- towels, toys, and comfort items
- printed emergency folder
Take the sitter through the routine once if you can. A five-minute walkthrough often finds more gaps than another page of writing.
Use a handoff checklist
Before you leave, confirm:
- the sitter can reach you
- the backup caregiver knows they are the backup
- the clinic knows who may approve care, if required
- the current medication list is available
- food and supplies will last the whole trip
- the sitter can access the pet's records
- the keys and home instructions work
How Petio fits
Petio can keep the current pet profile, documents, reminders, weight entries, and notes in one place. Family sharing can reduce the number of separate messages, but you should still confirm access and leave an offline backup for important information.
Petio helps organize the handoff. It does not replace official medical records or your veterinarian's instructions.
Sources and related guides
Frequently asked questions
What should I leave for a pet sitter?
Leave a short pet profile, feeding and walk instructions, medication details from your veterinary team, normal behavior notes, supply locations, your contact information, a backup caregiver, and your veterinarian and emergency clinic details.
How detailed should pet sitter instructions be?
Be specific about times, amounts, locations, and what counts as unusual for your pet. Include the routine your sitter actually needs to follow, not every detail of your household.
Should a pet sitter have my pet's medical records?
Share the records relevant to the period of care, including vaccination information, current medication instructions, allergies or previous reactions, and the clinic contact. Keep official originals and share copies according to your clinic's guidance.
Can Petio help me share pet sitter instructions?
Petio can keep separate pet profiles, documents, reminders, notes, and family sharing together. Use it to make current information easier to find, while confirming that your sitter can access what they need before you leave.
