Questions to ask a pet sitter before your trip

When you hand over your keys and your pet's care to someone you've never met, uncertainty is natural. The difference between a sitter who feeds your dog at the right time, notices a limp, and texts you updates — and one who just shows up when they feel like it — comes down to asking the right questions upfront. This guide walks through the questions that matter and what answers should reassure you.

Getting the practical details straight

Start with the nuts and bolts of how they work. "What time would you visit, and how long does each visit last?" is not trivial. A good sitter gives a clear, specific answer tied to your pet's needs — "I'd come at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and I stay for 30 minutes each visit, which gives me time to feed, refresh water, toilet your dog, and spend 10 minutes playing" — rather than vague reassurance. If they seem flexible to the point of casualness ("whenever suits me"), that's a warning.

Ask how they handle emergencies. "If my pet shows signs of illness or injury during a visit, what do you do?" Listen for whether they'd contact you first, call your vet, or decide on their own. A solid answer sounds like: "I'd take photos, message you immediately, and unless you tell me otherwise, I'd take your pet to your vet and cover the cost, then we sort out repayment." If they don't know your vet or haven't thought about payment, they're not ready.

Probing how they keep pets safe is essential. Ask specifically: "How do you make sure my pet can't escape when you arrive or leave?" or "What's your routine when entering and leaving?" You want to hear that they check the gate before opening it, or that they ask you to lock the dog indoors before they arrive. "I'm always careful" is too loose. And if they plan to take your pet off-site — to a park, for instance — without mentioning it, ask directly whether they do that and what you need to agree to.

Reading how they think about your pet's needs

Describe your pet's habits and quirks, then ask: "What would you do if my cat didn't eat, or my dog refused to go outside?" This isn't a test with a single right answer; it's a window into whether they think or just follow a script. A good response involves checking for signs of illness, noting the behaviour to tell you, and adjusting within reason. If they brush it off or offer generic reassurance, they're not observing your pet as an individual.

Push on routine. "My dog is anxious if the routine changes" — does the sitter ask what the routine is, or do they assume they know? Do they take notes? Pets thrive on predictability. A sitter who gets defensive about "having their own way" or resists detailed instructions hasn't sat pets in homes before.

Ask whether they're insured and bonded, and what that covers. Don't settle for "yes" without asking to see it. Insurance varies wildly; you're looking for coverage of damage and theft, ideally. If they're not insured, that's a significant risk you're taking.

Spotting gaps in their replies

Pay attention to answers that feel coached or vague. "I love animals" tells you nothing about whether they'll remember your cat's thyroid medication or notice that your rabbit is quieter than usual. Listen for specifics: have they sat this type of pet before? How many visits have they done? Can they name something that went wrong and how they fixed it?

Ask for references — people whose homes they've entered and whose pets they've cared for — and follow up with at least one. A question like "Did this sitter stick to the agreed time and routine?" cuts through friendliness to reliability.

A good pet sitter answers directly, volunteers information you haven't asked for, asks you clarifying questions back, and shows willingness to learn your pet's specific needs. If someone rushes your questions or seems annoyed by detail, they're telling you something. Trust that signal.

When you're ready to move forward with a sitter who passes this interview, verifying their background and checking them through Strove ensures you're hiring someone both you and your pet can rely on.