Pet sitter checklist: what to leave
Last updated: October 15, 2026
A useful handoff answers the small questions: which scoop, which door, which dog gets which bowl. Write instructions for each pet, label supplies, and walk through the routine together. Keep a paper copy in an agreed place.
In the Pawprint app, pet profiles can hold care instructions and your vet's name and phone number. Keep them current and review them with the sitter. Include trip-specific arrangements and access details in your direct handoff.
To print: use Command-P on Mac or Ctrl-P on Windows. Only the checklist prints. Jump to the checklist and tick each box once you have written down the detail or shown the sitter.
Pet(s): ____________________ Care dates: ____________________
Sitter: ____________________ Updated: ____________________
1. Food and water
- Food, amount, and times. Write the food name, the measured amount at each meal, and where the food and scoop are stored. Label each pet's bowl and explain any separate feeding setup.
- Treats and restrictions. List approved treats, food allergies or restrictions, and anything the sitter should not offer. Leave enough of the usual food for the stay and an agreed buffer.
- Water and cleanup. Show every water bowl or fountain, how to refill it, and where washing and cleanup supplies are kept.
2. Medication and care instructions
- Current written instructions. Leave each medication in its labeled container with your vet's instructions for the amount, timing, method, and storage. Record when the last dose was given.
- A demonstrated routine. Confirm the sitter is comfortable with the required care and show how you normally handle it. Leave a place to record each dose so nobody has to guess whether it was given.
- A plan for questions. Ask your vet what the sitter should do if a dose is missed, refused, or unclear. Leave that guidance and the vet's contact details; do not ask the sitter to invent a replacement dose.
3. Vet and emergency contacts
- You and a backup person. Leave a reachable number, your travel time zone, and a local contact who has agreed to help if you cannot answer. Tell the sitter whom to call first.
- Your vet and an emergency clinic. Write their names, phone numbers, addresses, and holiday hours. Check the details before leaving rather than relying on an old note.
- What to do in an emergency. Discuss arrangements with your vet, including how the sitter should contact the clinic and how payment will be handled. Show where the carrier, leash, and relevant records are kept.
4. House access and supplies
- A tested way in. Try the key or entry code together. Explain the alarm, gate, parking, doors that stick, and what to do if access fails. Share codes directly with your sitter, not in a public profile or request.
- The essentials. Point out food, litter, waste bags, towels, cleaning supplies, leads, harnesses, and carriers. Explain which rooms are off limits and which doors must stay closed.
- The final visit. Agree on locking up, returning keys, and confirming that you have arrived home before the care arrangement ends.
5. The daily routine
- A typical day. Write meal, walk, toilet or litter-cleaning, play, and sleep times. Include your pet's usual alone time and the coverage you have agreed with the sitter.
- Handling and comfort. Show how the harness fits, the usual walking route, cues your pet knows, and where they settle. Explain any crate routine already in use.
- Updates and changes. Agree on when to expect messages or photos, what you want recorded, and how to reach each other if the plan changes.
6. What is different about each pet?
- Names and identification. Match each name to a photo or clear description, especially with similar-looking pets. Label food, medications, and equipment for the correct animal.
- Behavior to know about. Describe reactions to strangers, children, other animals, handling, and noise. Be specific about door-dashing, hiding places, guarding food, or slipping out of a harness.
- Individual needs. Note mobility limits, preferred resting places, household separation rules, and any species-specific setup. Explain what is normal for this pet and which changes should prompt a call to you or the vet.
Handoff checked together: ____________________ Date: ______________
Do one walk-through before you leave
Have the sitter locate supplies, try the door, and talk you through the first visit. Correct anything unclear and date the instructions. For boarding, pack the labeled supplies that will travel with your pet.
Common questions
What should I leave for a pet sitter?
Leave feeding and medication instructions, vet and emergency contacts, tested house access, a daily routine, and notes for each pet. Label supplies and review the handoff together before you leave.
Can I keep care instructions in Pawprint?
Yes. In the Pawprint app, pet profiles can hold care instructions and your vet’s name and phone number. Keep them current and review them with your provider. Keep trip-specific access details in your direct handoff, not a public profile or request.
Can I print this pet sitter checklist?
Yes. Use your browser’s Print command: Command-P on Mac or Ctrl-P on Windows. The print layout keeps the checklist and removes navigation, FAQs, and booking links. Fill in the pet names and dates, then tick off the handoff items.
Choose the person you will hand over to
Compare local sitters, or post your dates and the kind of care your pets need.