Leaving a pet with someone new can feel like handing over a very important part of your family. The right questions for a pet sitter help you look beyond a friendly profile or a low price and find out how they will actually care for your pet when you are not there.
A good sitter should welcome sensible questions. They know that every animal has their own routines, worries and little ways of communicating. Whether you need a dog walker while you are at work, cat visits during a holiday or overnight care for an anxious pet, this conversation is where trust begins.
Questions for a pet sitter about experience and safety
1. What experience do you have with pets like mine?
A sitter who is wonderful with sociable young dogs may not automatically be the best fit for a nervous rescue, an elderly cat or a rabbit with a detailed feeding routine. Ask about the animals they care for regularly and whether they have handled similar breeds, ages or behaviours.
Experience does not have to mean decades in the job. What matters is whether they listen carefully, understand their limits and can explain how they would adapt care to your pet.
2. Are you insured and DBS checked?
This is one of the most practical questions to ask. Appropriate insurance offers protection if something unexpected happens during care, while a DBS check provides extra reassurance when someone is entering your home or taking your dog out locally.
Ask what their insurance covers, particularly if your dog will be walked off lead, transported in a vehicle or cared for overnight. A professional should be clear and open rather than vague about their credentials.
3. Are you trained in pet first aid?
No one wants to imagine an emergency, but knowing how a sitter would respond can make a real difference. Ask whether they hold current pet first-aid training and what they would do if your pet became ill, injured themselves or showed signs of distress.
First aid is not a replacement for veterinary care. The reassuring answer is one that includes staying calm, contacting you promptly and seeking veterinary advice or treatment when needed.
4. What is your emergency plan if you cannot attend?
Illness, a vehicle problem or severe weather can disrupt even the best plans. Ask whether the sitter has a trusted, suitably checked back-up carer and how they would tell you about a change.
For a one-person independent sitter, this may be more limited. That does not necessarily make them unsuitable, but you need to understand the plan before relying on them for daily visits or a holiday booking.
Questions about your pet’s daily care
5. How will you get to know my pet before the booking?
A meet and greet is more than a pleasant introduction. It gives your pet time to see, smell and hear the person who will be caring for them, and gives you a chance to discuss routines face to face.
For cats and smaller pets, a home visit is particularly useful because it lets the sitter check food storage, litter arrangements, safe hiding places and access instructions. For dogs, it can reveal how they respond to a new person and whether a short introductory walk would help.
6. Can you follow our usual routine?
Pets often settle best when life still feels familiar. Explain their feeding times, preferred walking routes, sleeping arrangements, toilet needs and any household rules. Then ask what can realistically be matched.
Some flexibility is normal, especially around weather and other booked walks. But a good sitter will not promise an exact routine they cannot deliver. They will talk honestly about timings and suggest a plan that keeps your pet comfortable.
7. How many pets will you be caring for at the same time?
This is especially relevant for dog walking, home boarding and overnight care. A group walk may suit a confident, friendly dog who enjoys company, while a reactive, elderly or easily overwhelmed dog may need an individual walk or a smaller group.
Ask how dogs are matched, how many are walked together and whether your pet will ever be left alone with another animal. The answer should reflect your dog’s temperament, not simply the sitter’s availability.
8. How do you handle feeding, medication and special instructions?
Be specific about quantities, treats, allergies, supplements and medication. A responsible sitter may ask you to provide written instructions, labelled food and details of what to do if a dose is refused or accidentally missed.
If your pet needs medication, ask directly whether the sitter is comfortable administering it and has done so before. It is better to choose a carer who is honest about what they can manage than one who agrees without confidence.
9. What would you do if my pet seems stressed or behaves differently?
Pets may be quieter, clingier, less hungry or more vocal when their people are away. Ask how the sitter recognises stress and how they would reduce it. For some animals, that means a calm, low-key visit and familiar play. For others, it means giving them space rather than trying to force interaction.
You should also tell the sitter about known triggers. Delivery drivers, other dogs, vacuum cleaners, being picked up or a closed door can all be surprisingly important details.
Questions about walks, homes and communication
10. Where will my dog be walked?
Local knowledge matters. Ask where the sitter normally walks, how they choose routes and how they avoid busy roads or unsuitable areas. If your dog has poor recall or is prone to chasing, be clear about whether they must stay on lead or use a secure field.
A GPS-tracked walk can offer useful reassurance, but it should sit alongside safe handling, sensible route choices and proper attention to your dog.
11. How do you keep pets secure in my home?
Your sitter may be trusted with keys, alarm instructions and access to areas of your home. Ask how keys are stored, whether they are labelled with your address and what checks they make when leaving.
This is also the time to mention escape risks. A cat who slips through a cracked window, a dog who rushes an open front door or a clever rabbit who can lift a hutch latch all need a clear plan.
12. Will I receive updates, photos or messages?
Regular updates are not just a nice extra when you are missing your pet. They show that the visit or walk has happened and let you know whether your pet has eaten, toileted, exercised and seemed comfortable.
Agree what communication looks like before you book. Some owners prefer a short update after each visit, while others want photographs and a more detailed report. If you are abroad, check how the sitter will contact you in an urgent situation.
13. Who else will have access to my pet or home?
Ask whether the person you meet will always be the person attending, or whether another member of a team may cover visits. Either arrangement can work well, provided it is explained clearly and every carer is appropriately vetted and briefed.
For pets who struggle with change, consistency may be your priority. For longer bookings, a team with an organised handover process can provide useful continuity if one carer is unavailable.
Questions about bookings, costs and trust
14. What happens if my plans change?
Work meetings run late, flights are delayed and family plans can shift. Ask about cancellation terms, short-notice extensions and what happens if you cannot get home when expected.
Clarity protects everyone. It also helps you decide whether a service is suitable for regular work cover, occasional weekends away or a longer holiday.
15. Can I read feedback from other local pet owners?
Testimonials cannot tell you everything, but they can reveal patterns. Look for comments about reliability, communication, kindness and how a sitter responded when plans changed. The most useful feedback is specific, especially from owners whose pets have similar needs to yours.
You can also ask for a clear explanation of how bookings, payments and visit records are managed. Professional systems may sound less exciting than puppy photos, but they help ensure nothing is missed.
Trust your pet as well as your checklist
After you have asked the practical questions, notice how the sitter responds to your pet. Are they patient when your dog barks? Do they allow a shy cat to approach in their own time? Do they ask thoughtful questions rather than making assumptions?
The cheapest option is not always the best value if it leaves you worrying throughout your trip. Equally, the most polished answer is only useful if the care plan suits your animal. At Scamps and Champs, we believe pets deserve care that feels personal, dependable and kind – because peace of mind starts with knowing your pet is understood.