Most pet sitters are careful, experienced, and genuinely care about the animals in their care. But they can only work with the information you give them. The gap between what a sitter knows and what she needs to know is almost never a failure of attention. It is a failure of handoff.
Here is everything your pet sitter needs to know, organized by category.
1. Allergies and toxins: put these first
This is the most critical section and should be the first thing your sitter sees. Many common household items and foods are toxic to pets, and sitters who are not pet owners may not know all of them.
For each known allergen or toxic substance:
- Name of the allergen or substance
- Severity (life-threatening, severe, mild)
- What the reaction looks like
- What to do immediately
- Whether to call the vet first or go directly to emergency care
Common toxins many sitters may not know to avoid:
- Chocolate, including cocoa powder: toxic to dogs and cats
- Grapes and raisins: can cause kidney failure in dogs
- Xylitol, found in sugar-free gum and some peanut butters: toxic to dogs
- Onions, garlic, and leeks: toxic to dogs and cats
- Macadamia nuts: toxic to dogs
- Certain houseplants including lilies, sago palm, and pothos: toxic to cats especially
Example: Chocolate. LIFE-THREATENING to dogs. Even small amounts can cause seizures, vomiting, muscle tremors. Call emergency vet immediately if ingested. Do not wait for symptoms.
2. Medications
For each medication your pet takes or may need:
- Medication name (generic and brand)
- What it is for, in plain language
- Exact dose (some medications are weight-based)
- How to give it: in food, by mouth, or topical
- Schedule: daily, twice daily, or as needed
- Whether it requires owner approval before giving
- Where it is stored in the house
- What to do if a dose is missed
Never assume a sitter knows how to give medication to an animal. Specific instructions matter. “Hide it in a small amount of cream cheese” is more useful than “give orally.”
3. Medical conditions
For each relevant diagnosis:
- Condition name
- What it means in plain language
- What to watch for: symptoms that indicate a flare or emergency
- What to do if it worsens
- Your vet's name and phone number
A sitter caring for a diabetic dog needs to know what low blood sugar looks like and what to do. A sitter with a cat in chronic kidney disease needs to know about hydration. These are not things a sitter will ask about. You have to tell her.
4. Feeding schedule
- Meal times: morning, evening, or more frequent
- Amount per meal, exact. Not estimates.
- Food type and brand
- Location of food and measuring tools
- What happens if she is given too much or too little
- Whether treats are allowed and what kind
- Water access: refill schedule, filtered vs. tap
Overfeeding can matter as much as underfeeding, especially for pets on prescription diets or weight management plans. “She will act hungry even after eating” is information a sitter needs.
5. Do-not-feed list
Separate from allergies: list anything the sitter should not give your pet. Include foods that are safe for other animals but not for yours, and foods your pet should not have for non-emergency reasons like weight, digestion, or behavior.
- Any human foods that are off-limits
- Treats that cause digestive upset
- Foods the pet will beg for but cannot have
6. Behavioral notes
- How the pet reacts to strangers: friendly, anxious, or defensive?
- Triggers: thunderstorms, loud noises, children, other animals
- What to do if the pet becomes distressed
- Whether the pet guards food, toys, or sleeping spots
- Any biting or scratching history
- What calms the pet down
A sitter who does not know your dog is fearful around unfamiliar men may have a serious incident. A sitter who does not know your cat hides under the bed during storms will spend 20 minutes worrying she escaped.
7. Exercise and outdoor access
- Walk frequency and length
- Leash requirements: always on leash, flexi-lead, or off-leash in certain areas
- Whether the pet comes back reliably when called off-leash
- Yard access: is the fence secure? Are there any escape routes?
- Dogs or animals to avoid in the neighborhood
- Whether the pet pulls, lunges, or is reactive on leash
8. Grooming and daily care
- Whether brushing is required and how often
- Whether wiping paws after walks is necessary
- Eye or ear care (some breeds need daily attention)
- Whether the pet can be bathed and how often
9. Vet contacts
- Primary vet: name, clinic, and phone number
- Emergency or 24-hour vet: name and phone number
- Poison control: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 888-426-4435 (fee may apply)
- Address of the nearest emergency animal hospital
Phone numbers should be formatted so the sitter can tap to call. She should not need to type a number out by hand during a medical emergency.
10. House and access information
- Where food, medications, and supplies are stored
- Location of leash, harness, and bags
- Doors and gates that must be kept closed, and why
- Rooms or areas that are off-limits to the pet
- Whether the pet is crate-trained and when to use the crate
- WiFi and any smart home systems she needs to use
The problem with verbal handoffs
Most pet owners do their handoff in the first five minutes of a drop-off. The sitter is meeting the pet, the pet is excited, and the owner is trying to leave. Important details get dropped. The sitter nods and does not want to ask too many questions.
A written list, sent before the visit, means the sitter has time to read it, ask questions, and actually absorb the information before she needs it. It also means she can check it during the visit without having to call you.
Baton Pass for pets is built around this list. You build the profile once, with allergies, feeding schedule, vet contacts, and behavioral notes, then share a time-limited link before each stay. Revoke it when you are back. Free to start.
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