What to Write in Pet Sitter Instructions: A Section-by-Section Guide

Good pet sitter instructions come down to one thing: your sitter needs clear written information, not a rushed conversation on your way out the door. A clear, complete instructions sheet is the difference between a sitter who copes calmly and one who is guessing. Here is exactly what a good template contains, and a sample layout you can copy today.

The Nine Sections Every Template Needs

1. Pet profile — name, species, breed, age, and any identifying features.
2. Owner and emergency contacts — your number, a backup contact who knows your pet, and clear instruction on what to do if you cannot be reached.
3. Vet information — clinic name, phone, address, out-of-hours emergency vet, insurance provider and policy number.
4. Feeding — food brand, exact portion, feeding times, where food is stored, and foods your pet must not have.
5. Medication — name, dose, timing, and how to give it (with food, hidden in a treat, and so on).
6. Walking and exercise — how often, how long, lead behaviour, and any routes to avoid.
7. Behaviour notes — how your pet reacts to strangers, triggers, and where they hide when stressed.
8. Daily routine — wake time, nap times, play, bedtime.
9. Household notes — Wi-Fi, alarm code, key return, bin days for longer stays.

A Sample Filled-In Instruction

Here is what a single feeding entry looks like when it is genuinely useful rather than vague:

• Vague: "Feed her twice a day."
• Useful: "Feed 70g of the dry food in the labelled tub (top shelf, utility room) at 7:30am and 6:00pm. One dental chew after breakfast only. No human food — she reacts badly to anything with onion or dairy."

The second version removes every judgement call. That is the goal of the whole document: your sitter should never have to guess.

What to Do About Emergencies

The section sitters worry about most is what happens if something goes wrong. Give them a simple decision tree so they never freeze:

1. Try to reach you by phone or message.
2. If no response within 15 minutes, call the backup contact.
3. If the pet is in pain, distressed or injured, go straight to the vet — do not wait for permission. "I will reimburse any vet cost" removes all hesitation.
4. If the pet is lost, use the microchip number and the lost pet sheet to alert local vets and shelters.

How to Hand It Over

• Print it — a paper sheet works without a phone signal and is faster to reference than scrolling a text.
• Fill in every field. If a section does not apply, write "none" so the sitter knows it was not skipped by accident.
• Walk through it in person the first time and answer questions.
• Keep a copy yourself — photograph it before you leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I include in pet sitter instructions?

At minimum: your contact details, a backup contact, vet and emergency vet details, feeding instructions, medication schedule, walking routine and behaviour notes. The more specific each section is, the more confident your sitter will be.

Should pet sitter instructions be printed or sent by text?

Printed. A text is easily lost in a busy day and needs a charged phone with signal. A printed sheet can be pinned to the fridge and referred to at any time.

Can I use the same template for a dog and a cat?

The structure is similar, but swap the relevant sections — replace "walks" with "litter routine and indoor access" for cats. A good template leaves space to customise each pet.