What Does a Pet Sitter Do?

Whether you’re a paw parent to a rabbit, bird, guinea pig or other type of animal, having a qualified sitter to look after them is important. Aren’t quite sure what pet sitting is? Below, Cat in a Flat explains pet sitting and what sitters do.

What is pet sitting?

Pet sitter is a word of English origin and can also be written as a pet-sitter or petsitter. It stems from the verb pet sit which means to: ‘look after a pet or pets while their owner is away’. Basically, it is someone who will take care of a pet when the owner is not available. This can be for travel reasons, or simply because the owner is at work and needs pet care during the day.

A sitter will come to your home and look after your animal. This allows your pet to stay in familiar territory while you’re away. Think of it as baby sitting, but for animals!

What do pet sitters do?

Sitters can include a variety of tasks such as feeding, grooming, walking, and cleaning up after your pet. Some pet sitters can offer extra services such as giving your pet medication, special care, or taking them out for daily exercise. There are pet sitters who might limit their clientele to certain types of animals, while others can provide care for a wide variety of pets.

In addition, they can also keep an eye on your home while you’re away and do additional tasks such as water plants, pick up your mail, and tidy up. Some sitters will even stay overnight at your home if required.