The pet sitter care card checklist
By The Pet Care Card teamUpdated 6 min read
Short answer
A pet sitter care card should cover seven things: who the pet is, feeding, daily routine, bathroom habits, medication, emergency contacts, and the vet's name, phone and address. Write it in that order so a sitter can find what they need in seconds, and leave one copy visible in the home plus a shareable digital copy.
Most sitter problems are not caused by bad sitters. They are caused by missing information: nobody wrote down that the back gate does not latch, that the food scoop is half full, or that the vet closes at noon on Saturdays.
This checklist is the same structure Pet Care Card uses, and you can work through it in about two minutes per pet.
1. Who the pet is
Start with the basics a stranger cannot guess: name, species, breed, rough age, weight and temperament. Weight matters because it is the first thing a vet asks. Temperament matters because it tells the sitter what normal looks like.
- Name and a recent photo
- Species, breed and approximate age
- Weight (approximate is fine)
- Personality notes: shy with men, bolts at doors, hates the vacuum
- Microchip number, if you have it
2. Feeding
Be specific about amounts and containers. "One scoop" means nothing to someone who has never seen your scoop.
- Food brand and type, and where it is stored
- Amount per meal, in cups or grams
- Number of meals and the times
- Treats: which ones, how many per day
- Foods to avoid, including anything that upsets their stomach
- Water bowl location and how often to refresh it
3. Daily routine
Routine is what keeps an anxious pet calm while you are away. Write the shape of the day rather than an exact schedule.
- Walk times and typical length
- Bathroom routine, litter box location and cleaning frequency
- Playtime and what they actually enjoy
- Sleep arrangements and crate instructions
- Indoor/outdoor rules and door safety
4. Medication
List only what your vet has already prescribed: the name, the dose exactly as written on the label, when it is given, and how. Note where the medication is stored and what to do if a dose is missed.
5. Emergency information
This section should be visually separate from everything else so it can be found under stress.
- Your phone number, plus a second contact who can make decisions
- Vet clinic name, phone number and full address
- Nearest 24-hour emergency vet
- Any spending authorisation you want to give in writing
- Known conditions, allergies and reactions
6. House details the sitter will need
- Where leads, harnesses, towels and cleaning supplies live
- Bin day, alarm codes and parking rules
- Anything that is off limits
7. Leave it in two places
Print one copy and leave it on the fridge or by the food bowls, and share a digital copy so the sitter has it on their phone when they are out on a walk. A QR code taped near the door covers both.
Frequently asked questions
- How much detail is too much for a pet sitter?
- If a detail changes what the sitter does, include it. If it only explains why, leave it out. One page per pet is a good target, with the emergency section always visible.
- Should I give the sitter permission to spend money at the vet?
- Yes, in writing. State a limit you are comfortable with and confirm it with your clinic, so treatment is not delayed while someone tries to reach you.
- What if I have more than one pet?
- Make a separate card for each pet. Shared instructions get skimmed, and feeding mistakes between pets are one of the most common sitter errors.