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Leaving your furry friend home during a vacation can be one of the hardest parts about being a pet owner. You might spend your time away from home worrying, and your pet can often be lonely in your absence. Hiring a professional in-home pet sitter to watch your pets is a smart decision, and one that requires some consideration. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when hiring a pet sitter. 

3 Tips to Consider for the Perfect Pet Sitter 

1. Communication 

pet sitterWhile away, it’s important that you feel comfortable enough to reach out to your pet sitter for updates and photos. Speak with the sitter to see how they communicate with their clients while they’re away. If your pet has an extensive list of medications, it will be comforting to know that your sitter will send medication updates as well. Some sitters are even happy to send pictures of your pets to show that they’re happy and well cared for.

2. Qualifications 

There will be a difference in animal care from a sitter compared to short check-ins from a family friend. The sitter will spend time with your pet and make sure that they ate and went to the bathroom. Beyond this, they will set aside the proper amount of time not only to take care of the pet’s basic needs, but to provide affection and playtime. The sitter you hire should have plenty of experience in doing so. If the pet sitter is on an app or website, make sure that they have positive reviews and a previous list of clients. You should also check if they specialize in dogs or cats. If your pet has any type of special needs or behavioral issues, you’ll want to be sure that the pet sitter you choose will be able to handle the task. Lastly, your sitter should be insured with commercial liability insurance and should be bonded to protect against theft. 

3. Service Expectations 

Ask the sitter what their services entail. Consider if you want to hire an overnight sitter or one that just visits each day. You should know what to expect from them and the fees due at the end. Some service features to consider are the length of each visit, clean up process, how many walks a day, and emergency care. Some pet sitters may also offer grooming services.


Are you planning on going away? Consider Shar-Jo's Pet Styling & In-Home Pet Sitting in Milford, OH, for your pet sitting needs. With 48 years of experience, they offer the most reliable pet sitting services in the area and will work to provide the best care while you’re away. For information on in-home pet sitting and dog and cat grooming, visit their website. Give them a call at (513) 831-9457 to speak to a caring, friendly pet sitter.

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