Questions About The Pets

House sitting in New Zealand come with plenty of perks and interesting aspects, but (as I keep saying) they also come with a lot of responsibility. When you add pets into the mix, things get even more complicated. As a Kiwi house sitter, you will have tasks to perform each day, notes to remember, and a living being (or several living beings) relying on you for their care, comfort, and very survival – literally. Your next pet sitting job will go much more smoothly if you remember to ask some key questions before you say ‘yes’ to the assignment.

1. How Many Pets Are There?

This seems like the most basic information, but you don’t want any surprises sprung on you when you arrive on your first day at your new house sit. So ask the owner beforehand to list all of their pets, including their ages, and also ask them to include animals in cages and aquariums. Dogs, cats, birds, and fish are the most common pets, but you’ll want to know if the owner has a pet magpie, or a possum, or even a rat in the home. And of course, if you’re sitting rurally there’s bound to be outside animals as well, such as horse, goats, cattle, or sheep. In addition, are there going to be any extra pets arriving to stay while you’re there? For example, has a friend of the homeowner arranged with them to drop off their Dobermann for a couple nights while they toddle off to the beach for the weekend? Thus leaving you to care for the newcomer as well as all the other animals? This sort of situation can and does happen. I’ve experienced it more than once.

2. What Is The Pet’s Temperament?

Just like people, all animals have their own unique personalities and temperaments. Nobody knows this better than the owner. So please ask them to describe each pet’s behaviour. Are they shy? Mischievous? Skittish? Attention-seeking? Are they scared of thunderstorms? Do they like children? What is the dog like with somebody new (e.g. the house sitter) on their territory? If the owner has multiple pets, do they get along with each other, or is there potential for flare-ups and fights between them? Some pets are easier to care for than others. You may expect a Labrador with a laid-back personality but show up to find a 40kg bundle of boisterous and domineering energy.

3. What Training Techniques Does The Owner Use?

Every owner trains their pets differently, while some don’t train at all. That’s why you should ask. Does the owner discipline their pets for misbehaving? Do they offer treats as rewards for good behaviour? Are there any specific tricks they’re currently trying to teach a pet? If so, you may be expected to continue the training while the owner is away. You may also find that the pet knows lots of helpful commands, which should make your job a little easier.

4. Does The Pet Have Any Medical Issues Or Allergies?

Most owners will let you know if a pet has a serious health condition, but you should probably know about smaller problems as well. For example, some dogs are prone to developing a skin condition called contact dermatitis, which is normally caused by a mild allergy. It’s not usually a serious issue but it could catch you out if you’re unaware that it is an ongoing thing. You can save yourself a bit of stress and possibly a vet visit if you ask about ailments like these in advance.

5. Does The Pet Take Any Medications?

While you’re asking about medical issues, you should also enquire about medications that the owner may need you to dispense while you’re looking after their pets. Some pills and tablets are easy to give because they’re tasty and the pets are happy to gobble them up. Others pills may need a bit more creativity, such as hiding them in their dinner. The owners will tell you which method has worked the best in the past. If the pet needs a home injection on a regular basis then the owner will demonstrate the best way to do this so that both you and the animal don’t get injured or stressed. On sits like this, it’s a good idea if you arrive one or two days before the owners go away, so you can practice injecting the pet under the owner’s supervision and guidance.

6. What Should You Do In An Emergency?

Emergency situations are rare when you’re house sitting with pets, but they can and do happen and you need to be prepared. Obviously, if a pet gets sick while in your care, you should rush them to the nearest vet, but which vet does the owner use? Is the clinic open after hours? Where is the closest emergency animal hospital? Are the pets insured? How will you pay for treatment?

7. Are Pets Up To Date On Vaccinations?

For their own safety and for yours, the pets that you’re going to be caring for on your house sits should ideally be up to date with their annual vaccinations. It’s important that you ascertain with the owner that this is indeed the case. It’s also a good idea to ask the owner for each pet’s vaccination booklet that was issued by their vets. You can then keep this booklet with your emergency contact list as the vet may ask for it before recommending treatment, should you need to make an emergency visit to the clinic during your house sit.

8. What Is The Pet’s Daily Routine?

Most pets have a regular daily routine, dogs in particular. You should ask about:

Meal times

Average number of walks per day, and approximate times and distances

Whether walks are leashed or unleashed

Areas of the house that are out of bounds

Are the pets allowed on the furniture and beds?

Sleeping areas and habits

Are the pets fully house trained, and what are their toilet habits?

Bathing schedule (if needed during your stay)

Play times

Other regular socialisation

Pets are usually very attached to their owners and they may feel a bit out of sorts for the first few days, but you can help ease the transition by sticking to their normal routine.

9. Is There Anything Else You Should Know?

While nearly every important aspect should be answered by these key questions, there may be something the owner should mention that is specific to their pets or their home. By asking for any other pertinent information that springs to your mind, you’ll help to ensure that there are no unpleasant surprises during your stay.

Final Word

Pet sitting is a truly fun and rewarding experience but, as mentioned above, it also carries with it a lot of responsibility. When you take the time to ask these fundmental questions pertaining to homeowners’ furry and feathered (or even finned) friends, you’ll gain some invaluable insight into what your duties will entail during your assignment, which should hopefully help to make things run as smoothly as possible. And that is what all house sitters and homeowners want; a trouble-free, stress-free, and enjoyable time for both sitters and critters.