What are the Pros and Cons of In-Home Pet Sitting?
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No pet owner likes being separated from their best friend for long periods of time. However, the reality is that sometimes we’ll have to go places where we can’t take our pets with us. At such times, every pet owner wants to leave their pet with someone they can trust to take good care of them. Hiring a professional pet sitter is one of the many options available to pet owners while they’re away. You may have asked yourself whether in-home pet sitting is the right choice for you. Here are some pros and cons of in-home pet sitting that will help you reach a final decision.
Pro: your pet will be more comfortable at home
The most important thing when it comes to leaving your pet with a pet sitter is making sure that they feel comfortable and happy while you’re away. By having your pet stay at home with someone, they will feel much happier and relaxed, as opposed to going to a kennel. The pet sitter will be able to commit fully to keeping your pet happy, giving them their full attention. You can buy your pets’ favorite food and accommodate them in the best way possible, whereas if you leave them someplace else, you won’t be able to control so many things. With a pet sitter, you can write down everything that your pet needs in order to stay happy until you come back home.
Con: your pet might not bond with the sitter
Some pets are very friendly and love meeting other pets and new people, but for others, that’s just not the case. Depending on the kind of pet you have, they might not be too happy about a new person inside their home. Hiring the same pet sitter each time will make your pets happier than bringing a new person to pet sit them each time you leave. If you plan on moving in the future, you can keep them calm through it by hiring the same pet sitter during the moving process to prepare your pet for relocation. To make the meeting process easier, it would be a good idea to introduce your pet to their pet sitter beforehand if you can. Once they arrive without you, your pet will be much more comfortable being around somebody they already know. This will also give you the opportunity to better explain everything that needs to be done once you leave.
A pet sitter increases the safety of your home
Pro: increased safety of your home
One of the perks of having an in-home pet sitter is that you won’t have to go the extra mile for your home’s safety. You won’t need to stage your home with automatic lights to make it seem as if it is occupied. If somebody is scouting your home and planning a break-in, a pet sitter will steer them away. They’ll be able to keep an eye out for things and suspicious activity around your home. Another advantage is that if problems or damage occur on your property, they’ll be able to let you know immediately. This goes for issues such as plumbing, heating, damage from weather, etc.
Con: the pet sitter might not meet your expectations
The reality is that the pet sitter might not be all that you hoped for and expected. Maybe they just won’t get along well with your pet, or they won’t do as great of a job as they should have done. The advantage of having a friend or family member look after your home and pet is that you know they are reliable. With pet sitters, you can only hope that the positive reviews and references are true. When hiring a professional for in-home pet sitting, always go with someone you know who has the experience and good references. Before you hire someone, interview them in person and go carefully through the list of tasks you are leaving them with. First impressions matter, especially when it comes to leaving your pets and your home to someone to take care of.
Another pro is that the pet sitter can water your plants as well
Pro: your home will be taken care of
Nowadays, there are a lot of people who do pet and house sitting at once. This includes taking care of your plants, cleaning, and gardening all by one trusted person. Hiring one skilled person saves you from spending money on additional help around the house. An all-in-one house sitter can be especially helpful for bigger homes and homes that have pools. You can leave a list of tasks that the sitter will have to do to make their job easier and keep your mind more at peace.
Con: in-home pet sitting can cost a lot
One of the cons of hiring an in-home pet sitter is that it will most likely cost more than leaving your dog at a kennel. The price pays off once you consider the increased security of your home, but if you are looking to save money, this is not a good choice for you. Having your friend or family member take care of your pet as a favor while you’re away will save you a lot of money. However, they might not do as good of a job as a pet sitter would, leaving your pet at a higher risk of illness or injury. So, if you have a large enough budget, go safe and hire a pet sitter while you’re away.
In-home pet sitting can make your pets feel more comfortable
To conclude
We can see that in-home pet sitting has a lot of perks and advantages, but they come at a price. However, it’s easier to call an in-home pet sitter than to bring your dog with you or take them to a kennel. Not only that, but you will be able to communicate often and much better, so you’ll always know that your home and pets are fine. No matter if you hire a pet sitter or go with another option, it’s important to make a choice you’re comfortable with. Your pet might not be too fond of the current situation, but once you come back, they’ll be happier than ever to see you back home.
Meta: In-home pet sitting sounds great, but like many other things, it has its pros and cons. Here are some of the most important things to consider before hiring an in-home pet sitter.
✍🏼 Natalie Taylor
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- Tags: Blog, Blogs, Pet Sitting
Since my cat won’t stay anywhere other than our house, I’m considering hiring a pet sitter to watch her in our home while I’m away on business travels the following week. It’s best to let our pets stay at home where they feel at ease because, as you pointed out, it’s crucial to make sure they’re content and comfortable while we’re away. I’ll bear this in mind as I hunt for a pet sitter that I can hire soon and who can spend the night at my house while I’m away. http://www.happypets1.com/services
My cat does not like to stay somewhere else that isn’t our home, so I’m thinking of hiring an in-home pet sitter instead to watch over her next week while I’m away on a business trip. It’s good that you mentioned how important it is to ensure our pets feel comfortable and happy while we’re away, which is why it’s best to let them stay at home where they feel relaxed. I’ll keep this in mind while I look for a pet sitter to hire soon who can stay in my home overnight while I’m out. https://www.bonezandkatnippetservices.ca/pet-sitting/