Kat’s Corner: The Minimum Level of Care – What Every Pet Sitter Should Provide

Benny

Your Go-To Guide for Compassionate, Professional Pet Care – Part 3

In Part 1 of our series, we talked about the questions a true professional will ask you.

In Part 2 of our series, we went over the questions you should ask a sitter before using their services.

Now, let’s talk about what happens after you’ve found the right fit: the “minimum level of care” you should expect when your pet is in the hands of a sitter.

Why “minimum”? Because this isn’t about gold-plated extras or boutique spa treatments. This is about the baseline standard every professional sitter should meet—ensuring your pet’s safety, health, and happiness while you’re away, and giving you peace of mind.

🐾 Core Pet Care Duties

A professional sitter isn’t just dropping in—they’re making sure your pet’s physical, emotional, and behavioral needs are met, all while maintaining the comfort of familiar surroundings. At a minimum, that means:

Feeding & Water

• Providing food and fresh water according to your instructions (type, amount, schedule).

• Washing food dishes after every meal.

• Washing water dishes at least once daily.

Exercise & Potty Breaks

• Dogs: Minimum of 3 visits per day, or 2 visits if the dog has safe pet-door access to a secure yard.

• Cats: Minimum of 1 visit per day, though 2 is recommended for optimal welfare.

• Walks, supervised yard time, or play sessions to meet exercise needs.

Litter Box & Clean-Up

• Scooping litter boxes at every visit for cats.

• Cleaning up any accidents, vomit, or messes immediately.

• Keeping feeding and play areas tidy.

Medication Administration

• Administering prescribed medications accurately and on time, per your instructions.

Companionship & Interaction

• Play, snuggles, or simple quiet time—whatever your pet enjoys. This helps reduce loneliness and stress.

Health Monitoring

• Observing for changes in appetite, behavior, bathroom habits, or appearance that might indicate illness or injury.

• Having visual confirmation that cats are safe and healthy, even if they hide.

Identification & Safety

• Ensuring pets wear adequate ID at all times.

• Dogs should never go outside without a collar/harness and ID tags.

• Microchip numbers and company contact info should be on file with the sitter.

Documentation

• Detailed visit reports noting:

  • What was done

  • Bathroom habits

  • Appetite

  • Pet’s demeanor and condition

  • Any concerns reported immediately

🏠 Basic Home Care

A sitter’s duties don’t end with your pet—they also help maintain your home’s safety and appearance.

• Security: Locking up properly after each visit.

• Mail/Newspaper Retrieval: Bringing items in daily to create a lived-in look.

• Alternating Lights/Blinds: Adjusted twice daily to deter intruders.

• Trash Service: Taking bins to the curb and returning them.

• Damage Check: Looking for issues like leaks, storm damage, or broken gates and informing you immediately.

• Fence/Gate Safety: Ensuring secure closure before and after outdoor time.

• Cleaning Up: After both pets and sitter activity.

🗝 Key Considerations for “Minimum Care”

• Visit Frequency:

  • Dogs: 3 visits/day (2 with pet-door access).

  • Cats: 1 visit/day minimum, 2 preferred.

  • Others pets: Determined with owner/sitter.

• Visit Length:

  • 30 minutes is the standard minimum, though active pets or those needing more attention may require 45–60 minutes.

• Owner Instructions:

  • A pro follows your instructions exactly—no shortcuts.

• Professionalism:

  • Bonded, insured, with a reliable backup plan for illness, emergencies, or bad weather.

  • Clear communication before, during, and after the service.

💡 Why This Matters

Even at the minimum level, professional pet sitting is about more than the basics—it’s about consistency, safety, and respect for your pet’s well-being. Your pet shouldn’t just survive while you’re away—they should thrive in the care of someone who understands their needs.

In Part 4 (and final part) of this series, we’ll talk about Pet Care Service Non-Negotiables: Contracts, Policies & Final Must-Haves—the ones that can help you spot a true professional from a mile away.

Stay pawsitive,

Kat

The House Kat Pet Sitting & FurstAid CPR