What Should You Put In a Pet "Go Bag"?
You’ve scored a pet-sitting job, congratulations!
Now comes the next step, getting prepared for it.
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.
Pet sitter go-bag essentials for dogs
If you’ll be staying overnight with your client’s dogs, you’ll first need to pack everything that you’ll need during your stay (clothes, toiletries, etc.). Although clients typically provide bedding, pillow and towels, depending on your preferred sleeping arrangement, you may also want to bring your own pillows or bedding.
Your go-bag will need everything you usually bring on a dog walk:
For walking: Pack comfortable shoes and clothes. It also helps to have a dependable bag that keeps all your other items organized and at your fingertips.
For safety: Pack a backupsturdy, non-retractable leash that works with the dog’s collar or harness. You should also have some reflective, high-vis gear that keeps you visible around traffic. This might be a reflective vest, hat, leash, or safety lights.
For the weather: You should come prepared to walk the dog in rain or shine, so pack an umbrella, warm jacket, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
For poop: Never go on a walk without poop bags and ways to clean up after. This includes hand sanitizer for you and dog wipes for the pup.
For good dogs: Carry treats in an easy-to-dispense container or pouch. Then you can quickly grab the dog’s attention in stressful situations or reward them for good behavior.
For playtime: You may also want to bring some toys with you; however, make sure that they can be sanitized between clients — for example, a ball launcher, frisbee, or squeaker toy.
Want to see what the “go-bag” of a professional dog sitter looks like? Check out our Instagram.
Pet sitter go-bag essentials for cats
When staying overnight with a pet-sitting client who has cats, you’ll of course also need to pack a bag for yourself as you normally would. And while (most) cats don’t need to be walked, professional pet sitters still benefit from coming prepared to the client’s house.
Here’s what our cat sitting experts bring with them:
For safety: Cats are especially curious about new things in their environment. Make sure you can seal your suitcase well and lock away anything they could potentially eat (like earrings or chocolate).
For playtime: Bring along toys that don’t need to be sanitized (like a laser pointer). Or cheap ones that you can replace between clients (like undyed ribbon or string).
For grooming: Brushing is a great way to get some cats to warm up to you. But again, make sure to pick out a brush that can be washed or sanitized between cats.
For treats: Treats are the best way to some cats’ hearts. And don’t forget about catnip. Our experts recommend a silvervine and catnip blend (like Cloud Nine).
For enrichment: Earn the reputation of the Fun Babysitter by bringing in temporary cat furniture (like cardboard boxes or empty paper bags). Just make sure to recycle them before the end of your stay.
Protip: If you want to keep cats from bothering your shoes or suitcase, just put a couple drops of black pepper essential oil on it.
What should the pet owner provide during a sitting
One of the benefits of in-home pet sitting is that the pet owners provide everything that the pets need. Talk with them during your meet-and-greet to confirm that they’ll have enough food, cleaning items, and other essentials. Have them show you where everything is kept and how it should be stored.
We typically recommend clients have enough of pet essentials stocked to cover 1.5x the length of the stay. For example, if they plan to be gone 10 days, they should provide enough pet food and essentials to cover 15 days (in case of emergencies).
Always discuss where you’ll be sleeping with the client, but you can usually count on them to provide fresh linens and blankets. It’s also common to have the use of pantry staples (like coffee, sugar, or cooking oil) while you’re staying in the home, as well as the use of cooking utensils and dishes. Some clients provide food or snacks for you, but this will need to be clearly discussed before the stay.
A note about bringing your own dog or cat treats
Owners typically provide their own treats, but if you bring new and different ones, these can be more “high value” to the pet. They like variety too! We typically recommend choosing treats that are freeze-dried or air-dried to provide the most nutritional value.
However, you’ll also need to talk to the owner about the types of treats you plan to use beforehand. You never want to expose the pets to something they might be allergic to or that has caused an upset stomach in the past.
Another pet sitting essential? A good agency.
As you already know, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into being a good pet sitter. Before the job even starts, you need to advertise for new clients, take pet safety training courses, and prep your essentials like a go-bag. But you don’t have to do all this alone.
Working with a local pet-sitting agency allows you to have the benefits of a marketing team, insurance, and a network of other pet-sitting professionals to go to for advice. You’ll be connected to the best clients in your neighborhood who are looking for experienced and high-quality pet sitters.
If you’re a dependable and professional pet sitter in the San Francisco Bay area, reach out today to learn more about our open positions at G&G Pets. We’ll take care of red tape; you take care of the pets.
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