I have had the pleasure of taking care of hundreds of pets during my time as the owner of Atlantic Pet Sitting. I have seen pets who accept me from the moment I walk in the door, and I have some pets who I am still gaining the trust of.
As pet parents, we are very good at worrying about our pets while we are away. This can be worrying about what time we can get off work when our pets our home alone, or how they will react to a sitter while we are gone for extended periods. One of the most common questions I am asked is, “How can I make my pet more comfortable while I’m away?”.
A calm pet makes for a happy sitter and happy owner, so here are some tips which can make things easier for everyone.
Arrange A Meetup
One of the most important steps in working with your pet sitter is getting to know them, and them getting to know you and your pet. 
When working with a new client we find a time to come to your house and take some notes about the care of your pet.
During this first meeting you should allow your pet to see you interacting with the pet sitter. This will help ease the tension when the pet sitter enters the home for the first time on their own.
This meeting would be a great time to discuss any special needs, as well as detailed notes regarding the care of your pets.
Keep Surroundings Familiar
It can be tempting to change things up a bit when you’re leaving your pet alone, but typically they will sense something is different and this could cause them to rebel.
If your cats like a certain scratching post, leave it there. If your dog likes to eat in a certain spot, make sure your sitter knows to feed them there. Also let your sitter know the typical walking route you do while outside.
The closer you keep the environment to when you are at home, the better it will be for your four-legged companion.
Maintain The Same Routine
Like us, our pets are creatures of habit. Similar to our previous tip, it is best to keep your pets in the routine they are accustomed to.
For example, it is best to have your sitter to come for their visit during when your pets are typically fed and/or walked. The easiest transitions we have seen is for pets who continue their feeding and exercise schedule they are accustomed to.
Access To Stress Relievers
It is very typical for pets to exhibit some levels of stress while owners are away. This is why it is so important to have stress relievers available to calm the pet and avoid destruction to the home.
I have had clients use Thundershirts, scratching posts, calming diffusers, leaving music on, and a variety of other methods to help their pets. Experiment with some methods before heading out of town.
Keep In Contact
Remember, your pet sitter is working for you and your pet. Never feel like you are bothering, or bugging your pet sitter. Keeping in touch allows the sitter to let you know of any tendencies they are noticing.
Being proactive is a great way to ensure your pet stays calm and happy while under the care of someone else. At Atlantic Pet Sitting, we are always happy to provide phone, text, and picture updates while your pets are under our care.
Following these simple steps will help you, your pet sitter, and your pet adjust to your time away.
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