Will a dog sitter give my dog a bath?

Baths typically aren’t a part of most dog sitting jobs; however, if your dog needs regular baths for medical or comfort reasons, talk with your potential sitters about the need early on. Depending on how your dog behaves when taking a bath, the sitter can accommodate in home or they can take your dog to their regular groomer. In some cases, there may be additional fees. Exceptions may also exist, for example, if your dog were to roll in something smelly or get muddy during a walk — you can expect your sitter to clean up the dog. Make sure that you have shampoo or pet-approved cleaning wipes in the house for these occasions before you leave, and be sure to communicate with your sitter if your dog has any sensitivities to bathing or having paws cleaned.

7 FAQs About In-home Pet Sitters

A black and brown dog bounds toward their pet sitter, happy to see them.

If you’ve never used an in-home pet sitter before, you likely have plenty of questions about how the process will work. At Grand & Graham Pets, we have years of experience working with new clients and dogs of all shapes and sizes, and we’re happy to answer any questions that might put your mind at ease.

Let’s dig into a few of the ones that we hear most often:

Does a dog sitter have to stay overnight?

If you’re going to be away from home for than 12-18 hours, overnight care is the best way for your dog to receive the same level of care while you’re away. This helps them feel secure that their routines are being kept and allows the sitter to take them outside as soon as they wake up.

While boarding facilities can be a great solution for some dogs, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all all and doesn’t offer the same level of care as overnight sitters. This is especially relevant for dogs who have specific behavioral or medical needs. Even boarding facilities aren’t able to offer the same level of care as overnight sitters.

Should a pet sitter have insurance?

Not all pet sitters are insured, especially if they’re just starting out or are young adults who are doing pet sittings for a side job. All professional pet or dog sitters, however, should be insured and bonded. This is both for their safety and yours. Asking about insurance when vetting a new sitter is expected, and you shouldn’t hesitate to check.

Should pet sitters clean the house?

It’s important to note that pet sitters are not house cleaners, so you should leave it as clean as you would like it to be when you return. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your home is “guest-ready” before the sitter arrives. At a minimum: clean sheets in every room, bathrooms cleaned, all dishes washed and put away, counters wiped down, floors vacuumed, couch blankets washed, and all personal items put away.

A good pet sitter should clean up any messes that occur during their stay, either from the dog or from themselves. We encourage our sitters to leave the homes in better condition than they found them and make sure that you never come home from vacation to a dirty home. However, in most situations, you shouldn’t expect a deep clean unless you have otherwise arranged this with your sitter or sitting agency.

The rear end of a brown dog, covered in suds and standing in a bathtub. — Will a dog sitter give my dog a bath?

Baths typically aren’t a part of most dog sitting jobs; however, if your dog needs regular baths for medical or comfort reasons, talk with your potential sitters about the need early on. Depending on how your dog behaves when taking a bath, the sitter can accommodate in home or they can take your dog to their regular groomer. In some cases, there may be additional fees.
Exceptions may also exist, for example, if your dog were to roll in something smelly or get muddy during a walk — you can expect your sitter to clean up the dog. Make sure that you have shampoo or pet-approved cleaning wipes in the house for these occasions before you leave, and be sure to communicate with your sitter if your dog has any sensitivities to bathing or having paws cleaned.

Can dog sitters give my dog medication?

For liability reasons, not all pet sitters are qualified or comfortable giving your dog pills, injections, eye drops, or topical medications. Ask about their experience and if they have ever taken care of dogs with needs similar to your dog. In some cases, your pet sitter may have special training to administer medications or perform canine first aid.

Can dog sitters handle reactive dogs?

Similarly, not all sitters are qualified or comfortable working with reactive or anxious dogs. Check to see if they have any training in managing reactive and anxious behavior in dogs. You should also be up-front with the extent of your dog’s reactive behavior, that way you ensure everyone’s safety and that your dog will receive the proper care during your trip. At Grand & Graham Pets, we follow the fear-free methodology in order to care for anxious and reactive dogs.

Do you have to provide food for a dog sitter?

This is up to your preference; some clients look at it as a way to thank their sitter in addition to tipping for excellent service received (or just a way to take care of those bananas that were going to go bad anyway). However, if you are leaving food for your sitter, make sure that you let them know and clearly label it. A good pet sitter will never eat something that hasn’t been specifically left for them. It is generally expected that sitters can use “pantry staples” such as coffee, sugar, salt, or oil unless otherwise specified.

How can I find a pet sitter I trust?

All professional pet sitters will have an extensive introductory process when it comes to any new client. At Grand & Graham Pets, we conduct a thorough onboarding interview with you, followed by a meet and greet with you and the dog(s). This way, you know who your sitter is and can trust that they’ll be caring for your dog just as you would while you’re away.

If you’re in the San Francisco area, we hope that you’ll reach out to us when planning your next vacation or traveling for work. Our professional sitters are happy to talk through any additional questions you may have before and during your trip. Reach out today to learn more.

Still have some questions? Don’t worry, we’ve heard it all.

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