What to leave out for your pet sitter before you travel

We follow your instructions for feeding and exercise to the letter. That's a promise, and it's also why your notes matter so much. The clearer you are before you leave, the more your pet's week will look like a normal one. Here's the list we wish every owner had in front of them while packing.

Keys and getting in

Start with the obvious. Leave a working key, and tell us which door to use. If there's a tricky lock, a sticky screen door or a gate, show us at the meet and greet. If you have an alarm, tell us the code and how to turn it off. We'll also want to know whether anyone else, like a neighbor or family member, might stop by, so we're not surprised.

If your dog or cat tends to bolt for the door, say so loudly. We'll handle doors carefully. Knowing about an escape artist ahead of time is a lot better than finding out the hard way.

Feeding notes that leave no guesswork

Write down what your pet eats, how much, and when. Be specific. "Half a cup in the morning" is better than "a little." If food is stored in the pantry or the freezer, tell us where. If there are treats, say how many are okay and when.

• Brand or type of food, the amount and the times of day.
• Where the food, scoop and bowls are kept.
• Any foods your pet shouldn't have, and anything they're allergic to.
• Treat rules: which ones, how many, and whether there are any training rewards.
• How your pet likes to eat, such as slowly from a puzzle feeder or only after you leave the room.

Medication, straight from your vet

We're experienced in giving medications and following detailed health instructions from your vet. What we need from you is a clear written copy of those instructions, taken from what your vet told you or the label on the bottle. Leave the medication in its original labeled container, and write down what to give, when, and how your pet likes to take it. Is it hidden in a bit of food? Pressed into a treat? Tell us the trick that works.

We don't change anything on our own, and we never decide a dose. We follow what your vet has set. If you're unsure of something, check with your vet before you go and put the answer in writing.

Vet and emergency contacts

Leave your vet's name and phone number, plus a backup number for someone who can make decisions if we can't reach you. Tell us how to reach you while you're away and how quickly you expect to hear back, given time zones and travel days. If your pet has a health condition we should watch for, write it down along with what you want us to do about it.

We're trained in pet CPR and first aid, and we're bonded and insured. But the best emergency plan is the one you've talked through before you leave.

The routine, in your words

Pets do best when their routine stays the same. Tell us what a normal day looks like. When does the first walk happen? Where does your dog like to go? Does your cat get a treat after dinner? Does your dog sleep in the bedroom or in a crate? Small things matter to animals.

• Walk habits: the usual route, how fast your dog likes to go, and whether they pull.
• Leash, harness, waste bags and towels: where they live.
• Commands your dog knows, and any training you'd like us to reinforce.
• Fears and triggers, like other dogs, bikes, thunder or the vacuum.
• Favorite toys, play styles and the games they'd miss.
• For cats, where the litter box and scoop are, and where she hides.

A few small things that help

Put everything on one sheet and leave it somewhere easy to find, like the kitchen counter. Take a quick photo of it and text it to us too. Let us know your travel dates, including when you'll be back, so our visits line up with your plans. And if your plans change, call us. We ask for at least 24 hours' notice on cancellations.

If you're not sure what to include, don't worry. At the meet and greet, we'll walk through all of this with you and write things down together. We'd rather ask too many questions than too few.

Ready when you are

Whether it's a quick drop-in or a 12-hour overnight stay, we'll treat your pet's instructions like they're ours. Call Rick or Cate at (401) 527-0035 to set up a meet and greet for in-home pet sitting.