Excited to get on your way and to have an adventure, but constantly feeling antsy about leaving your pet behind? Don’t worry, most pet owners have at least a little anxiety about leaving their pet for so long, but it can be entirely safe, provided you make the right preparations. These are tips for those who are leaving their pets at home, rather than those who have temporary accommodation for them.
Ensure your pet-sitter is informed
First of all, you 100% need a pet-sitter, friend, or family member to stay with the pet. They still need to be walked, fed, brushed, and played with. If your pet has any specific needs, such as allergies, or if they have issues like separation anxiety, give your pet-sitter fair warning of what they can expect. Of course, if possible, you want your pet to
Leave everything they need on hand
Everything that your pet-sitter needs, from bowls to leads to toys to food, should be left where they can easily find them. If your pet sitter is only able to visit a few times a day, rather than staying with the dogs, then preparing super nutritious, filling food like those at https://barkingheads.co.uk/collections/puppy-food may be a good idea. If you have any recommendations for how to handle feeding time, walking routes, and so on, don’t be afraid to write it down. Most people will be glad to have instructions they can follow rather than trying to wing it.
Talk about timing
Whether your pet-sitter can stay with your furry friend or they can only visit a few times a day, it’s best to try make sure your pet’s schedule is kept as consistent as possible, or else they may become a little anxious or frustrated. If they’re visiting, ask politely that they try to do it around their regular walking and feeding times. Printing out a schedule for them to follow can be helpful but don’t be too pushy about it if it’s a friend or family member. They’re doing you a favour, after all.
Give them the numbers they need
Your pet-sitter is definitely going to need your number to inform in the unlikely event that there’s a snafu while you’re away. It can also do a lot to ease your mind if they’re happy to take snaps of them chilling with your pet, showing you that everything’s fine. Give them your vet’s contact information as well so that, if something serious does happen, they know exactly who to get in touch with and what to say.
Consider a dog camera
Separation anxiety applies to humans just as much as it does to dogs. If your pet-sitter can’t be with your pet throughout the day, installing a dog camera that can let you monitor the home, and your dog, can help you relax and check in on them. Furthermore, if you think something is wrong, you can check and get in contact with your pet-sitter.
Most importantly, try not to worry too much. The likelihood that something will go catastrophically wrong just because you’re there is low, so long as your pet-sitter is informed and prepared.
