Pet Sitting Checklist: 40+ Items Every Professional Sitter Needs

A forgotten medication. A wrong feeding amount. A lockout at 10 p.m. with no backup key and the client on a flight to Denver.

Every pet sitting mistake that costs you a client starts the same way: no checklist.

Most pet sitting checklist content online is written for pet owners, telling them what to leave on the counter before they head to the airport. That's not this article. This pet sitter checklist is built for you, the person actually doing the work. The professional pet sitter or dog walker who needs a repeatable system for collecting client information, running consistent visits, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks, whether you have five clients or fifty.

Here's exactly what this professional pet sitter checklist covers:

If you're still running your business off memory and text message threads, a proper checklist is the upgrade. And if you're just starting your pet sitting business, building a checklist now saves you from scrambling later.

Why Professional Pet Sitters Need a Standardized Checklist

When you're caring for two or three regular clients, you can keep everything in your head. You know Bella gets her joint supplement with breakfast. You know the Garcias hide the spare key under the blue pot. You know Mr. Chen's cat won't eat if anyone is watching.

Then you add a few more clients. And a few more after that.

That's when memory stops being a system and starts being a liability. One mixed-up feeding schedule, one missed medication dose, and you're dealing with a sick pet and a client who will never book with you again.

A standardized pet sitting checklist solves three problems at once:

Consistency across clients. Every client gets the same level of thoroughness, whether they're your first booking of the day or your last.

Professionalism that builds trust. When a client sees you working from a structured process instead of winging it, they feel confident. That confidence turns into five-star reviews and referrals. According to Pet Sitters International, professional standards and documented processes are a core part of what separates hobbyists from career pet care providers.

Liability protection. If something goes wrong, documented checklists and records show that you followed a process. That matters for insurance claims and disputes.

A pet sitting contract covers the legal side. A checklist covers the operational side. You need both.

Pet Sitting Checklist Part 1: What to Collect Before the First Visit

The best time to collect information is before you ever set foot in a client's home. Scrambling to get details via text the night before a booking isn't a system. It's chaos.

Here's everything you should be gathering during onboarding, ideally through a proper intake form or a pet sitting instructions template rather than a chain of messages.

Client Contact Information

• ☐ Client full name

• ☐ Phone number (primary and secondary)

• ☐ Email address

• ☐ Home address

• ☐ Emergency contact (someone other than the client)

• ☐ Travel itinerary or dates away (if applicable)

• ☐ Preferred method of communication (text, email, app)

Pet Profile Details

For each pet in the household, collect:

• ☐ Name, species, breed, age, and weight

• ☐ Spay/neuter status

• ☐ Microchip number (if applicable)

• ☐ Temperament overview (friendly, anxious, reactive, shy)

• ☐ Known fears or triggers (thunderstorms, strangers, vacuum cleaners, other dogs)

• ☐ Behavioral quirks the sitter should know about

That's a lot of information to manage, especially once you have 15 or 20 active clients. Pet sitting software with a built-in CRM keeps all of it attached to the right client and the right pet, so you're not scrolling through old texts trying to find a feeding note from three months ago.

Veterinary and Emergency Contacts

• ☐ Primary veterinarian name, clinic, phone number, and address

• ☐ Emergency/after-hours vet clinic name and address

• ☐ Authorization to seek emergency veterinary care (get this in writing)

• ☐ Pet insurance provider and policy number (if applicable)

• ☐ ASPCA Poison Control number: 888-426-4435

This isn't optional. If a dog eats a sock at 9 p.m. on a Saturday and you don't have the emergency vet's address, you're going to waste critical time searching for it.

Feeding Instructions

• ☐ Type of food (brand, flavor, wet/dry/raw)

• ☐ Amount per meal (specific measurements, not "a scoop")

• ☐ Feeding times

• ☐ Treats allowed? Which ones, how many?

• ☐ Food allergies or sensitivities

• ☐ Where food is stored

• ☐ Water bowl locations and refill expectations

• ☐ Special feeding instructions (elevated bowl, slow feeder, separate from other pets)

Medication Instructions

• ☐ Medication name, dosage, and frequency

• ☐ Administration method (pill in food, liquid syringe, topical, injection)

• ☐ Time of day for each dose

• ☐ Where medication is stored

• ☐ What to do if the pet refuses medication

• ☐ Refill information if the booking is extended

Pro tip: Take a photo of the medication label. It takes three seconds and can save you a panicked phone call.

Behavioral Notes and Triggers

• ☐ Leash behavior (puller, reactive to other dogs, reactive to squirrels)

• ☐ How the pet does with strangers

• ☐ Separation anxiety signs and management

• ☐ Destructive behaviors and prevention

• ☐ Litter box preferences (for cats)

• ☐ Crate training status and crate location

• ☐ How the pet signals they need to go outside

Home Access and Security Details

• ☐ Key location or lockbox code

• ☐ Alarm system code and instructions

• ☐ Gate codes or building access

• ☐ Wi-Fi password (for smart home devices or cameras)

• ☐ Thermostat settings

• ☐ Trash day and recycling schedule (for longer stays)

• ☐ Mail and package instructions

• ☐ Light and curtain routines

• ☐ Any rooms that are off-limits

Ask about all of this during a meet and greet. Walking through the home in person while taking notes is significantly more effective than getting a text dump of instructions.

Pre-Visit Pet Sitting Checklist: Preparing for Every Appointment

You've got the client information. Now it's time to prepare for the actual visit.

The Night Before (or Morning Of)

• ☐ Confirm booking time and service details

• ☐ Review client and pet notes (especially if it has been a while)

• ☐ Check for any recent messages or updates from the client

• ☐ Review feeding and medication schedules for this specific pet

• ☐ Pack your go-bag

Your Sitter Go-Bag

A go-bag is a small kit you bring to every visit. It sounds basic, but when you're doing four visits a day across different homes, having your own supplies prevents awkward situations.

Pack:

• Poop bags (never rely on the client's supply)

• Paper towels or cleaning wipes

• Flashlight (for evening walks)

• Treats (hypoallergenic, unless the client provides specific ones)

• Portable water bowl

• Leash (backup)

• First aid kit (gauze, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, styptic powder)

• Phone charger (you're using your phone for GPS, photos, and communication all day)

Check Weather and Route

This sounds obvious, but checking the forecast matters when you're walking dogs. Extreme heat, ice, thunderstorms, and heavy rain all change how you approach a visit. If it's 95 degrees, that midday walk might need to become an indoor play session.

Plan your route between clients to minimize drive time. When you're doing five or six visits a day, even 10 extra minutes per stop adds up to an hour of lost time.

During-Visit Dog Sitting Checklist: Running a Professional Visit

This is where the work happens. Whether you're following a dog sitting checklist or a cat sitting checklist, a consistent process during every visit keeps quality high and protects both you and the pets.

Arrival and Home Check

• ☐ Lock the door behind you when you enter

• ☐ Quick scan of the home (anything out of place, damage, leaks, unusual smells)

• ☐ Check that all doors, windows, and gates are secure (especially if pets have outdoor access)

• ☐ Note any issues to report to the client later

Rachel, a pet sitter in Austin, walked into a client's home on day three of an overnight stay and found a broken pipe dripping in the laundry room. Because she had a home check step in her process, she caught it early and called the client before it became a flood. That one moment probably saved her client thousands in water damage and turned a standard booking into a lifetime referral.

Feeding and Medication

• ☐ Follow feeding instructions exactly (type, amount, time)

• ☐ Administer medications per the schedule

• ☐ Note what was eaten and what was left

• ☐ Record medication given (time, dose)

• ☐ Refill water bowls

• ☐ Clean feeding area

If you're sitting for multiple pets in the same home, double-check that each pet is getting the right food. A dog eating the cat's food might not be an emergency, but a diabetic cat eating the wrong thing could be.

Exercise, Play, and Enrichment

• ☐ Follow the walk or exercise plan (duration, route, intensity)

• ☐ Watch for signs of overheating, limping, or distress

• ☐ Provide enrichment if the client requested it (puzzle toys, brushing, training practice)

• ☐ Let the pet set the pace (especially older or anxious animals)

Safety and Security Checks Before Leaving

• ☐ All doors and windows locked

• ☐ Stove and appliances off (if you used anything)

• ☐ Lights set to the client's preference

• ☐ Alarm system re-armed

• ☐ Trash secured and out of pet reach

• ☐ All pets accounted for and in the right areas

• ☐ Lock up when you leave

Document the Visit

This is the step most sitters skip, and it's the one that separates professionals from hobbyists.

Take two or three photos during the visit. A quick snapshot of the pet eating, playing, or just being cute. Write a brief note about how the visit went: what the pet ate, how the walk was, anything worth mentioning.

You can send this as a simple text, or you can use pet report cards to send polished visit summaries with photos and notes. Report cards take the same amount of effort but make your service look ten times more professional.

Post-Visit Checklist: Communication and Follow-Up

What you do after the visit matters almost as much as the visit itself. This is where you build the relationship that turns a one-time client into a regular.

Send a Visit Update

Send the client a summary within an hour of completing the visit. Include:

• ☐ What the pet ate (and whether they finished)

• ☐ How the walk or playtime went

• ☐ Any medications given

• ☐ A photo or two

• ☐ Anything unusual or worth noting

Keep it warm but brief. Clients want reassurance, not a novel.

Flag Any Concerns

If something was off, say so directly. A pet that didn't eat, seemed lethargic, had an upset stomach, or was acting differently than usual. Don't wait until the client comes home to mention it.

Be specific:

"Bella didn't touch her dinner tonight and seemed less energetic than usual during our walk. Nothing alarming, but wanted you to know. If it continues tomorrow I'll call Dr. Peterson's office."

That's professional communication. It builds trust.

Update Client Records

After each visit or booking cycle, update your records:

• ☐ Any changes to the pet's behavior, diet, or routine

• ☐ New access codes or key locations

• ☐ Client feedback or preferences learned

• ☐ Adjusted instructions for next time

This step takes two minutes and saves you 20 minutes of guesswork before the next booking.

Request a Review

After a completed booking (not during, after), ask the client to leave a review. Timing matters. The best moment is right after you have delivered a great experience and the client feels happy and grateful.

You can do this manually with a text, or use a review booster to automate review requests after every completed booking. Either way, reviews are the engine that drives new client acquisition for pet sitting businesses. If you're not asking, you're leaving growth on the table. Here's a deeper look at how to get more pet sitting clients.

Emergency Preparedness Checklist

You hope you never need this section. But when you do, it needs to be ready.

Pet Health Emergencies

• ☐ Know the location and hours of the nearest emergency vet before you start any booking

• ☐ Keep the ASPCA Poison Control number saved in your phone (888-426-4435)

• ☐ Know basic pet first aid: how to stop bleeding, recognize choking, identify heatstroke

• ☐ Have the client's written authorization for emergency vet care (this should be part of your pet sitting forms)

• ☐ Keep a credit card or emergency fund available for vet bills (discuss reimbursement terms with clients in advance)

Home Emergencies

• ☐ Know where the water shutoff is

• ☐ Know where the electrical panel is

• ☐ Have the client's home insurance or property manager contact (for longer stays)

• ☐ Know evacuation routes and where to take pets in case of fire or natural disaster

Client Unreachable Protocol

Decide in advance what you'll do if you can't reach the client during an emergency. This should be in your service agreement:

• ☐ Try primary contact, then emergency contact

• ☐ If no response within [X minutes], proceed to emergency vet

• ☐ Document everything with timestamps

• ☐ Follow up with written communication as soon as possible

Overnight and Extended Stay Additions

Overnight pet sitting and multi-day bookings require additional preparation on top of everything above. For help pricing these services, check out the overnight pet sitting rates guide.

What Changes for Multi-Day Visits

• ☐ Confirm the full schedule (not just day one)

• ☐ Know garbage and recycling pickup days

• ☐ Understand mail and package handling expectations

• ☐ Get plant watering or yard care instructions if applicable

• ☐ Ask about expected deliveries or service visits (housekeeper, landscaper, pool service)

• ☐ Know the pet's bedtime routine (where they sleep, lights on or off, TV or music)

Overnight-Specific Items

• ☐ Where you will sleep

• ☐ Towel and linen location

• ☐ Kitchen access and food policy (can you use the client's kitchen?)

• ☐ Parking instructions (especially in cities)

• ☐ Morning routine (what happens first, walk or feeding?)

Scaling Your Pet Sitting Checklist as Your Business Grows

A dog sitting checklist that works for three clients might break at fifteen. Here's how to evolve your process.

From Paper to Software

When David started pet sitting in Portland, he kept client notes in a spiral notebook. It worked fine for his first eight clients. By client fifteen, he was flipping through pages mid-visit trying to find the right feeding instructions. By client twenty, he had accidentally given one dog another dog's medication dose (thankfully with no harm).

That's when he moved everything into pet sitting software. Client profiles, pet details, feeding notes, medication schedules, vet contacts, all attached to each client and accessible from his phone during a visit.

The notebook didn't scale. The software did.

Managing Multiple Clients Consistently

The point of a checklist is consistency. When you're visiting six homes in a day, each with different pets, different feeding schedules, different medications, and different house rules, your checklist is the thing that prevents you from mixing up details between clients.

Whether you use a printed checklist, a note-taking app, or dedicated software, the format matters less than the habit. Every visit gets the same process. No shortcuts.

When to Systematize vs. When to Customize

Your core checklist should be standardized: the same onboarding process, the same visit workflow, the same post-visit communication. But the details within each step will be different for every client.

A good system is rigid about process and flexible about content. You always collect feeding instructions. But those instructions look different for a 12-year-old diabetic cat than they do for a healthy two-year-old Lab.

Build Your Pet Sitting Checklist Today

A pet sitting checklist isn't busy work. It's the operational backbone of a professional pet care business. It protects the pets in your care, protects your reputation, and protects your business if something goes wrong. Organizations like the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters recommend documented processes as a baseline for any serious pet care provider.

You don't need a fancy pet sitting checklist template to get started. Here's what to do next:

1. Start with onboarding. Build a standard intake process so every new client gives you the same comprehensive information. Digital intake forms make this easier than chasing details over text.

2. Create your visit workflow. Write down every step you take during a visit, from arrival to lockup. Follow it every time.

3. Close the loop. Send a visit update, flag concerns, and ask for a review. The follow-up is where client relationships are built.

You already do great work with pets. A checklist just makes sure the rest of your business keeps up.