Pet sitting is a slightly strange job, because people are often entrusting a total stranger with the complete care and total wellbeing of an animal that is essentially a family member. It’s also one that people don’t always perceive as a serious job, instead thinking of pet sitters as either neighborhood kids or just people who have found a way to get paid to play with dogs. As a pet sitter, therefore, appearing professional, knowledgeable, and engaged is key to gaining your clients’ trust. People want to know they are trusting a professional to care for their animals, and you want to remind them of all the services and knowledge you provide beyond letting the dog out or refilling the food bowl. Knowing all you can about their pet is also critical to doing a good job caring for them. These seven questions will help put your clients at ease and let them know they’re entrusting their best friend to a responsible caregiver, and also give you all the information you need to live up to that trust. 

1. What breed, species, or morph is the animal? This might seem obvious, but having as many details as you can about the animal’s genetic background can be very helpful. In addition to the genetic variation and medical concerns that come with different dog breeds, for instance, knowing about a reptile or fish’s morph, or specialized color, can let you know if they might be more at risk for sunburn or have different light requirements. This information will also give you some insight into the animal’s typical behavior or temperament, and give you a starting place to research anything you might want to know about caring for them. 

2. How old is the animal? This is another seemingly obvious question that has more implications than you might think. Age will not only give you an idea of their expected activity level, but it can also prepare you for certain behaviors or situations. A young, fast-growing reptile, for instance, might be more likely to go into shed while you’re watching them, while an older cat or dog might be more likely to struggle adhering to their previously ingrained bathroom training.  

3. Does the animal have any medical conditions? The most important reason to ask this question is so you know if you have to give the animal any medications or specialized foods. However, knowing about even minor medical issues can help you better care for the animal’s general wellbeing, not just their physical health. For instance, knowing a dog has joint or back issues will help you plan walks that are stimulating, but not physically painful; knowing that a cat is deaf will help you know how to attract their attention or interact with them without scaring them or stressing them out unnecessarily.  

4. How does the animal like to be stimulated or entertained? Asking this question will let the owners know you care about getting to know their animal and want to attend to their needs beyond just food and water. Being able to appropriately stimulate a pet, whether that’s with walks in the park, a laser pointer, or their favorite toy, will also make your job easier. An animal that’s bored or has too much energy is more likely to turn destructive or angry, while one that’s been exercised and entertained will be less likely to get into mischief or make any messes you’ll have to clean up. Plus, continuing to provide stimulation, even when their owner is gone, will do wonders for the animal’s mood, general wellbeing, and even potentially their physical health. 

5. Are there any risky behaviors I should look out for? Some animals don’t know what’s good for them, and will repeatedly engage in behaviors that can put their health at risk. Whether that’s a dog that loves running off into the woods or a fish that keeps trying to swallow aquarium gravel, knowing about these recurrent problems ahead of time will help you be prepared to prevent them, and to solve the issue, if it does arise, before it becomes a crisis. 

6. In general, what kind of mood or temperament does the animal have? This is another question that will help owners feel safe and at ease that you’re invested in their animal’s wellbeing, rather than just keeping them alive for a paycheck. Additionally, their answer will help prepare you for what to expect from their animal, and also give you a sense of what constitutes “normal” and what might be lethargy or anxiety that should be a cause for concern. It’s not uncommon for pets, especially companion animals, to be sad, sullen, or out of sorts when their owner leaves them for a while. However, you should still have a sense of their general mood and energy levels so you can gauge when “out of sorts” is actually an illness or other issue.  

7. What are the animal’s regular or normal behaviors? Knowing this will help you spot any irregularities or changes in behavior that could be a sign of illness or injury. Owners are often very good at recognizing unusual behaviors that could warrant a visit or consultation with their vet, but if they’re leaving their animal in the care of a pet sitter, especially for an extended period of time, these things can fly under the radar. Asking this question will let you know whether or not a pet sitting quietly in the corner all day or constantly drinking water is normal or cause for concern. 

Pet sitting is a position of enormous trust and responsibility, and it requires a professional with knowledge and skill to provide the best care possible for the animal. There’s a lot more to pet sitting than playing with dogs and cuddling cats, and the interactions you have with an owner before you leave are crucial to communicate how seriously you take the job. Use these seven questions to set yourself apart as a professional and fastidious caregiver who will always do the best for your client and their animals.