Questions to ask before booking care for a holiday

Booking pet care for a holiday often happens in a blur of last-minute emails, hasty phone calls, and trust-based guesswork. People tend to ask only the basics: "Are you free? How much?" Then they book. What goes wrong, almost always, is that the questions asked too late—after the sitter has already committed—are the ones that matter most. By then, you're locked in with someone who can't handle your dog's anxiety, doesn't know your cat's medication routine, or goes silent when things go sideways. A proper conversation before booking sorts the reliable carers from the ones who look good on paper but fall apart under pressure.

The goal here isn't to grill your potential carer; it's to hear how they think and whether their answers match what your pet actually needs. Listen for confidence, specificity, and signs they've done this before. When answers are vague, over-reassuring, or deflect back to you, that's a signal to keep looking.

"Walk me through what you'll do on day one"

This question reveals whether they're thinking ahead or just showing up. A good answer should describe a handover: arriving early enough to meet your pet, checking in on water and food, asking where you keep supplies, confirming your phone number, and perhaps a quick photo to show you they've arrived. They might mention letting a dog settle before a walk, or checking a cat's hiding spots. They should ask questions back: "Where's the emergency vet? Should I text you updates?"

An evasive answer—"Don't worry, I know how to handle pets"—or one that skips the handover altogether, is a yellow flag. You need someone who understands that the first visit is crucial for building trust with your pet and clarity with you.

"What happens if my dog won't eat, or my cat acts strange?"

This tests whether they distinguish between normal jitters and a real problem. A strong carer will say something like: "I'll try again in a couple of hours. If they're refusing food and seem lethargic, I'll contact you straightaway and ask whether we should call the vet. I'll also take a photo or video so you can see what I'm seeing." They might ask about your pet's baseline: "Is this normal for them when stressed, or would it be unusual?"

Someone who says, "I'll just leave the food out" or "You worry too much, they'll eat when they're hungry" is sidestepping the real risk. Holiday stress affects pets differently. You need someone who takes changes seriously and knows when to escalate, not someone who assumes everything sorts itself out.

"Tell me how you'll keep them occupied and calm"

This matters especially for anxious pets left in someone else's hands. A good answer should show they've thought about your pet's personality: "I'll bring a puzzle toy, keep to the walking times you've told me, maybe sit quietly with them for a bit, and use calming techniques if they're pacing." They might ask what your pet finds comforting—a particular toy, music, a blanket.

If they brush past it—"They'll be fine, I'm trained"—without asking anything about your pet's temperament or preferences, they're not tailoring care. They're applying a generic approach. You need someone who sees your pet as an individual and has a plan that fits them, not just a checklist they run through for every animal.

Before you book, spend a few minutes on these conversations. Write down what they say. If they sound annoyed by questions, or if their answers are thin and vague, that's telling you something. The best carers actually welcome detail because it means fewer surprises on the day. Once you've heard how they think and seen that they ask good questions back, you can book with real confidence—which means you'll actually relax on your holiday instead of refreshing messages the whole time. When you're ready, search for holiday pet carers on Strove, where you can check their reviews and track record before you call.