Going on a Cruise? Hire a Good Pet Sitter! (Guest Post)

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Image via Freepik
 
Going on a Cruise? Hire a Good Pet Sitter!
 
Are you heading out on a cruise but worried about leaving your pet behind? It’s essential to make arrangements for someone to look after them while you’re away. 
 
Many pet owners prefer pet sitters, but finding the right candidate can be difficult. Below, The Joy of Cruising shares some practical tips on setting up a pet sitter in your home so that you can ensure your furry friend is in good hands!  
 
Establish an emergency vet plan.
 
Before leaving your pet in the care of someone else, it’s crucial to set up an emergency plan. Let your sitter know of any emergency veterinary services if your pet falls ill or gets injured, and leave them with your vet's number and any other necessary details should an emergency arise.
 
Also, be sure to educate the sitter on the signs of parvovirus, a potentially deadly disease that affects dogs and puppies. Parvovirus typically happens to puppies under six months old. Since they’re not fully vaccinated, the virus can cause poor appetite, vomiting, fever, and more severe issues.
 
Stock up on pet food.
 
Make sure you’ve stocked up on ample pet food before your departure date. Talk to your sitter and let them know where the pet food is stored and the specific measures they should take when feeding your furry family member. If you have any particular feeding instructions, your sitter needs to understand and follow them!
 
If you’re open to trying a new food for your pet, consider air-dried dog food (click for more information). This type of food is cooked slowly and dried, which helps keep more nutrients and flavor than wet food. It’s also protein-rich and has fewer carbs!
 
Digitize your pet's medical files.
 
In the event of an emergency, you want your pet sitter to have easy access to your pet’s medical history. Create and share the records digitally with your sitter to keep them informed on your pet’s various medical conditions, medication routine, and instances when the vet can prescribe a new medication.
 
Keep in mind that PDFs are often the easiest format to work with. You can convert other formats into PDFs with an online tool and then compress, modify, or re-order your pages as needed.
 
Find potential pet sitters.
 
Finding a group of pet sitter candidates can be difficult, especially if you’ve never done it before. Friends and family are the best sources, but if they aren’t available, look for a sitter on a professional pet care website or social media account. It’s crucial to find a sitter who fits your schedule needs and, of course, and you want them to engage well with your pet!
 
Choose the right candidate.
 
Once you have a few candidates, there are a few things to consider to narrow down your options and make your final decision. Book a meeting between your pet and potential candidates to determine how your pet reacts. 
 
Is it negative, positive, or indifferent? Also, make sure their availability fits your schedule, and check for other critical qualities (e.g., professionalism, experience with pets, good reviews).
 
Communicate with the sitter.
 
Keeping in touch with your pet sitter is essential, and thanks to technology, distance should not be a hurdle. Schedule daily updates or video conferences to check in on your pet and go over any details that may have been missed before you left. Further, provide your sitter with clear transparency about any updates on your trip so they can plan accordingly.
 
Conclusion
 
If you’re going on a cruise and leaving your furry friend behind, it’s vital to find the right pet sitter and give them what they need. The tips above can help ensure your pet stays safe while you’re on your cruise and that they get all the attention they could hope for. Remember to closely vet any potential pet sitter so that you can enjoy a stress-free cruise, knowing your pet is in the best care possible!
 
 
If you enjoyed this article, you can find more engaging content on TheJoyofCruising.net!

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