Watching out for signs of illness is just one of the many ways that a good pet sitter takes care of their charges. While your clients don’t expect you to be a vet, they do expect you to know the general signs that an animal may need to see one.

San Francisco and the Bay Area is an incredible place to live. There’s incredible scenery and something fun to do every weekend. But what about your dog! Shouldn’t they get to enjoy SF too?

You probably became a pet sitter so you could enjoy a flexible career working with animals, but as you probably know, there's a lot more that comes with the job. Part of being a responsible sitter is taking good care of your client's keys and entry codes, too.

Part of being a good pet owner is taking them to their various vet appointments, trainers, groomers, and maybe even to visit grandma. But are your pets allowed to take public transit with you? And is it safe for them to do so? Let’s take a closer look:

The first thing to keep in mind when creating your profile is that the people who will be reading it are busy. Keep your information short, sweet, and to the point. They may only spend 30 seconds looking at it, so lead with a headline that makes them want to keep reading.

As you might guess, a dog nanny is a caregiver for your dog. They’ll handle the day-to-day chores, freeing up your energy for playtimes and the rest of life. While a similar job to a dog sitter who may stay with your dog while you're on vacation or a work trip, dog nannies are typically a longer-term and more active position.

Just like in humans, diabetes affects how your pet’s body processes glucose and uses energy. Proper treatment involves daily monitoring of glucose levels and regular administration of insulin, which can be managed without too much trouble in your day-to-day life. But how can you make sure they get the care they need when you’re on vacation or need to travel for work?

Showing up with a fully stocked “go-bag” is a great way to set yourself apart as a professional pet sitter, but if you’re not sure what all goes in one, don’t worry! We talked to our expert pet sitters, and here’s what they pack to ensure happy clients and happy pets. 

If you're new to cat ownership or to using cat sitters, you probably have a lot of questions about how and when a sitter should be caring for your cats. If so, then you’re in the right place.

We always recommend in-home sitters over multiple drop-ins per day, as in-home sitters can provide the same level of individualized care your pets expect.

Writing a pet-sitting resume and not sure where to begin? You’re not alone. Resume-writing can feel overwhelming, and it’s hard to know what kind of experience is applicable to a niche industry like pet-sitting.

While it may seem counterintuitive, giving a dog a crate isn't a form of punishment; crate training can actually help your dog build confidence and trust. Just like you value your bedroom as a peaceful retreat, the crate can also be a restful place for them.

Regular walks are an important part of a dog’s health, and as a pet sitter, you’ll need to go on two to three of them every day. Talk to the dog’s owners before your first sit or drop-in to get a thorough understanding of how and when the dog is usually walked…

The pet care market is now flooded with more products than ever. As a pet parent who wants to do the best they can for their dog, it can be hard to know what’s a gimmick and what’s actually good for your pet.

Leaving your pets at home with a stranger can be as nerve-wracking for you as it is for them — maybe even more so. You want to find the best care possible for them, but hiring for your pets is different than hiring for work. How can you tell who will be the best fit for you and your pets?  

Picking a name for your new puppy or dog is a big part of the fun, but it’s not always easy! Worry not, our professional pet sitters have heard some of the best and have all the inspiration you need. 

We’ve collected over 400 of the best names and broken them up into categories for Vintage, Elegant, Nature-loving, Quirky, and inspired by San Francisco.

Vetting new pet-sitting clients is an important step that can either set you up for success or struggle as a pet sitter. If you’re feeling overwhelmed as you try to think of everything you’ll need to ask your clients ahead of care, you’ve come to the right place. 

The Fear Free System is a holistic teaching methodology that can help pets learn to have an active role in their care and reduce anxiety around unavoidable activities. It was created by famous veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, who you might recognize from Good Morning America, to help vets, shelter workers, pet sitters, and pet owners create a connection with their dogs through positive reinforcement.

If you’ve been using Rover or Wag! to find pet sitters or dog walkers, you already know that the platform offers pet services at a variety of experience levels and a wide range of rates. However, due to the low barrier to entry, you may be wondering about the credentials of your sitter or the level of care your pets will receive.

The Fear Free Method is an innovative and gentle way of working with pets that prioritizes the needs of the pet and encourages positive reinforcement of wanted behaviors. While it’s more often talked about in terms of veterinary care or dog training, these methodologies are also useful to pet sitters.