What I Actually Prioritise During a Pet Sit (And Why It Matters)

Leaving your pet with someone new is one of the hardest parts of going away. I know that. It should be taken seriously because your pet doesn't understand why you've gone or when you're coming back. What they do understand is routine, familiarity and feeling safe. That's exactly what I build every single pet sit around.

The first thing I do when I arrive

Every animal is different and I use everything I already know about them from our initial consultation to make those first moments count. If your dog is cuddly and high energy, we're playing their favourite game within minutes. If your cat is shy, I give them space, get down to their level and let them come to me in their own time. If your pet is anxious, I come in calmly, offer their favourite treat

and follow their lead completely. There's no rushing and no forcing interaction. Just patience and presence until they feel comfortable.

Getting down to their level is something I do with every single pet regardless of their personality. It's a small thing that makes a huge difference. You're less intimidating, more approachable and it immediately signals to them that you're safe.

A day in the life of pet sitting in Awsworth

There's no standard day because every pet has a routine that belongs to them and keeping that routine isn't just something I try to do, it's the foundation of everything. I genuinely believe consistency is one of the most important things you can give an animal when their owner is away. It tells them that even though things feel a little different, life is still safe and predictable. So we get up at the same time, dogs go outside when they always do, waters get changed, breakfast gets made exactly how they like it. Walks happen when they're supposed to happen. Naps, garden time and playtime all follow what your pet already knows because that familiarity is what keeps them settled and happy while you're gone.

What I add on top of that is mental enrichment, and I genuinely believe this is one of the most underrated parts of truly quality pet care. For dogs this looks like sniff heavy walks, working on recall, learning new tricks and skills. For all pets it looks like treat games such as hiding food around the house for them to find, building new hideouts from blankets and boxes, creating toys from toilet rolls and household items. A mentally stimulated pet is a calm, happy pet. It also means they sleep well, which means they're not lying awake anxious at 2am wondering where you are.

Updates, every single day

At a minimum, you're hearing from me twice a day. Midday and evening, every day, without fail. Photos, videos and a proper update on how they've been, what we've done and how they're feeling. If your pet is on medication, you'll know the moment they've taken it and how they responded. You're never left

wondering. Daily updates aren't an added extra, they're a standard part of how I care for your pet because you deserve to feel connected to them even when you're miles away.

Medication and special needs

This is an area I take seriously. I've handled a wide range of medication including tablets, liquids, injections and medication mixed into food. I follow the exact routine your vet and you have established and I'm strict about it. Your pet's health isn't something I approximate.

The story that showed me what adaptability really means

One of my most memorable clients is Snow, an XL Bully who I've had the privilege of sitting multiple times. The first time I sat with her, life was simpler. We ran on the fields together, she had the freedom to really stretch her legs and she thrived.

Then the XL Bully ban came into effect and everything changed overnight. Suddenly Snow couldn't run freely on open fields anymore. She had to stay close to me at all times. For a lot of people, that would have meant a lesser experience for her. For me, it meant finding a new way.

We started running together in the garden instead, longer sessions, more frequently. Our walks became more about sniffing new routes and discovering new environments to keep her mind working. We slowed down in some ways and sped up in others. Snow never lost her joy and that's what mattered.

That experience taught me that great pet sitting isn't about having a perfect plan. It's about being present enough to adapt when things change and caring enough to make sure the animal never feels the difference.

Why any of this matters to you

If you're reading this before a holiday or a work trip, you're probably already feeling that familiar guilt. The worry about whether they'll be okay, whether they'll miss you, whether a stranger can really give them what they need.

The honest answer is that your pet will miss you because they love you. With the right care, they won't suffer for it. They'll sleep in their own spot, eat from their own bowl, play with their own toys and feel the comfort of their own home the entire time you're away. That's what in-home pet sitting gives them that nowhere else can.

Pet Sitting Services

Want to know exactly how a pet sit with KTM Pets works? Head to our pet sitting page and find out if it's the right fit for you and your pet.

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