The Edit: This post shares the pet sitting tips our family of four has learned from house sitting since 2021, mostly through TrustedHousesitters, with sits across the USA, the UK, and Mexico. It covers how to land your first sit and early reviews by applying to last minute and nearby assignments, how to filter the app for family friendly sits, and the questions to ask a host about training, walking schedules, medications, yard access, and whether the pets are good with kids. It also explains what makes a good host, from a printed house guide with the vet’s number to a home kept at a comfortable temperature, plus the pet products we pack for every sit, like a pet carpet cleaner and a ChomChom roller.

At a Glance

Pet Sitting Basics	Details
Platform we use	TrustedHousesitters, plus sits for friends and family
House sitting since	2021
Where we have sat	The USA, the UK, and Mexico
Types of sits	Keeping a home occupied, caring for cats and dogs, even horses and cows, and some include a car
Sit length	A few days to several months, with six month sits more common in Europe than the U.S.
Landing your first sit	Apply to last minute sits and sits close to where you already are
Finding family sits	Use the app filter for family friendly sits and save the search for instant alerts
Read the listing for	Photos of the home, a backyard or dog door, and how long the pets can be left alone
Possible red flag	Hosts who expect constant daily updates
Questions to ask	Commands and potty training, walking and exercise, health issues and medications, and whether the pets are kid friendly
What makes a good host	A clean home, a printed house guide with the vet’s number, and real heating and cooling
What we pack	Pet carpet cleaner, carpet odor remover, a ChomChom roller, our preferred leash, and gallon bags
Backup plan	Line up a backup dog sitter
What hosts save	Overnight pet care that can run around $100 a night
Our honest take	Mostly understanding hosts, a few small mishaps, and one negative host encounter

We’ve been house sitting for dog owners since 2021, and it’s been quite a journey! Amanda discovered TrustedHousesitters, an app that lets us explore new places for free while caring for pets in their own home while the owners are away. Our full 5-year review can be found here, and spoiler alert, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

House sits vary widely, some simply require keeping the home occupied, watering plants, and collecting mail, while others involve pet care, ranging from cats and dogs to farm animals like horses and cows. In some cases, a vehicle may even be provided for use during the stay.

The duration of sits also differs. Some last just a few days, while others extend for months. In the U.S., longer sits are rarer, but in Europe, extended stays of six months or more are more common.

Our Best Tips As A Pet Sitter

If you love animals and want to travel more, house sitting could be the perfect way for your family to explore new places while caring for pets!

1. To build your profile reviews look in the vicinity of where you are at the moment. Apply for a sit that is maybe not ideal for you but is ideal for the pet parent. A Last minute sit is how we got our first sit and first review. 
2. Look for a sit that Interests you, heart it and apply for it even if you have doubt of winning the sit is the best way. 
3. Most of our house sits have been last minute sits because people bailed on the pet parent usually within a week or two of the start date. The homeowner might act a tad desperate, this is the perfect time to shine.  
4. Look at the pictures and read the listing very carefully. Pictures are worth a thousand words. You can see if the house is messy or less clean than you’d like. 
5. Think about the situation you will be gettin into. Do they have a backyard, do they have a dog door so they can get out on their own. If the house is a condo, how many hours can you explore this new city without worrying about the dogs using the bathroom in the condominium. 
6. Read the listing thoroughly, some owners want daily updates (possibly a red flag) and tend to treat the pet sitters like indentured servants. 
7. Ask about training with commands, potty training and walking schedules and how much exercise the pet usually receives. 
8. Don’t forget to ask about health issues and health conditions along with medications, doctor visits and specific needs the pet may need.
9. When was the last time your pet received heartworm prevention and flea/tick medication?
10. When was the last time your pet was around other animals in a dog park or similar setting?
11. Ask about dates and if they are flexible. We have stayed longer so the owner could delay her flight because of a named hurricane storm. We gave her peace of mind and security so she could fly home in a safe environment. 
12. Be flexible if you can. It makes the sit go smoother for you and the owner. Plus you have company if you are pet sitting, and you are in the client’s home, so don’t worry. 
13. Do you have room for accomodating an RV or camper van? May be a question to ask
14. One of the most important things to ask while sitting as a family is:  Are your animals kid friendly?

We’re on our 6th house sit and loving the journey! House sitting gives us the flexibility to enjoy new places, cozy homes, and, of course, your family member. We’ve done sits across the USA, the UK, and Mexico.

If you would like to sign up (click here) you can start your house sitting journey. And if you have any questions just comment below.

How We Find a Family Friendly House Pet-Sitting Assignment

We’ve been using TrustedHousesitters for the past 5 years (check out our full review here) and have also house sat for friends and family. That’s actually a great option to get started if you’re brand new!

If you’re using the TrustedHousesitters app, tap the filter button next to the search bar to narrow down your search. You can filter for things like dates, location, disability access—and yes, even family-friendly house sits.

Our favorite top tip? Create a saved search with your filters so you get instant notifications when a house sit matches your criteria. It saves time and keeps you ahead of the crowd.

What Makes a Good House Sit Host?

A good house sit host makes the experience smooth and stress-free for both parties. On our 4th and 5th sits, the owners had the house professionally cleaned before and after the sit, which was a great way to begin enjoying our new environment. It took the pressure off, making transitions seamless, and allowed us to focus on settling in, caring for the pets, and handling last-minute travel details.

Additionally, thorough instructions and an up-to-date house guide are essential. Hosts need to stop being lazy—make sure everything is on the TrustedHousesitters website and have a printed guide in the home that includes the veterinarian’s office phone number and contact information they use among detailed instructions for emergency situations. 

Also, sitters should be able to heat and enjoy the home at a decent temperature. We’ve had issues in the United Kingdom and the USA with hosts keeping the house too cold in winter to save on heating costs, or not having adequate cooling in the summer. 

Remember, your top-notch pet sitter is helping you enjoy your vacation—your animals are being well cared for, and you’re saving money on overnight stays (which can cost around $100 a night).

Thoughtful touches like this go a long way in creating a positive, stress-free experience for both sitters and hosts!

The Pet Parent Should Have Extra Essentials For Their Furry Friend

It’s a good idea that pet owners have extra medication, dog food, and pet treats (especially diet-specific and brand-specific) on hand. In a few of the house sits we’ve done, the owners had these delivered to the house, which was super convenient. 

This way, we didn’t have to worry about tracking down a specific dog food or treat brand. It allowed us to focus more on enjoying the animals and less on logistical details—making the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved!

Should You (The Pet Care Provider) Carry Pet Products With You On A House Sit? 

When traveling by car in the USA for house sits, we always pack certain products for convenience. Below is a list of the items we typically bring to help manage pet care and maintain the home.

Pet Carpet Cleaner

We always pack an organic, pet-friendly carpet cleaner that smells pleasant. While many owners keep some on hand for inevitable accidents, having an extra bottle ensures you won’t run out unexpectedly. The first few days are a transition period for both you and the pet, so accidents can be common during that time.

Carpet Odor Remover

We carry a carpet odor remover that’s safe for homes with pets. Since we don’t own pets and some owners become desensitized to the odors in their own homes, we rely on this product to maintain a fresh, luxurious atmosphere during our stay. The product we love and use is the Good Natured Brand Carpet Freshener and Deodorizer.

Chom Chom Roller Pet Hair Remover

Seasonal shedding from dogs and cats can be a hassle, making a dedicated pet hair removal tool indispensable. The Chom Chom Roller effectively minimizes hair on furniture and helps prevent your vacuum from clogging, keeping your home cleaner with minimal effort.

Your Preferred Dog’s Leash

Every dog owner has a favorite leash that suits their needs for a short walk. I prefer a non-retractable leash with two loops. One of which can double as a dog collar in a pinch. Ruffwear offers an excellent option for this style, ensuring both convenience and safety.

Gallon Size Bags

The Gallon size disposable bags have become an essential item for us. While some pet owners might have a few, we find that carrying a larger quantity makes life much easier. They’re perfect for packing dry dog food for a trail hike, storing snacks or medications, and can be used for many purposes beyond the kitchen.

Have a Back Up Dog Sitter

Having a reliable backup pet sitter is a huge stress reliever, especially when traveling. If you’re flying in or out, having someone nearby to step in can make everything run much smoother. Sometimes flights get delayed, or roads become impassable.

For example, during our house sit in La Paz, we stayed two extra nights so the owner could arrive safely after a passing hurricane. We’d considered leaving before the storm hit, knowing the roads would be washed out, but decided to stay so her return would be easier.

Fortunately, the roads were cleared after a few days. She had a backup sitter lined up and let us know they could care for the dogs if we needed to leave before the storm. A backup plan like that can really ease your mind during unpredictable situations!

Do Your Animals Have Behavioral Problems?

We’ve had the pleasure of owning and house sitting many different types of pets that demanded extra attention. Growing up, I had a Dalmatian, an American Black Labrador, and a mixed-breed farm cat from my uncle’s farm. Amanda had the joy of growing up with a loyal German Shepherd and later owned a sweet Goldendoodle during her time in the Air Force.

Having a well trained dog is such a big plus, it makes everything more predictable and manageable. A dog that listens to commands can make life so much easier.

On the other hand, an untrained pet can lead to concerns like property damage and safety issues, especially when children are involved. If you’re hosting a pet sit, it’s important to be upfront about the animal’s behavior and whether they’re trained or are a nervous dog around new people.

The last thing anyone wants is an incident where a pet, due to poor behavior that could be fixed, hurts a child or an adult. Being clear about this helps ensure a safe and smooth experience for everyone.

Travel Plans

Being straightforward about your travel plans is key. We always try to have a flexible schedule, but honesty goes a long way. Last minute changes can happen, and how you communicate those with your sitter can make all the difference.

When hosting a family, remember they have a lot to consider before they arrive and when they leave, things like school schedules, doctor visits, and sports commitments. Clear communication ensures everything goes smoothly for everyone involved! 

Be Understanding and Flexible With Your Pet Sitting Family

Life happens, and travel can be stressful! We’ve had a few mishaps along the way, like breaking a glass or two, but we always replace them with something similar, and most owners have been understanding.

We’ve only had one negative encounter with a host, where our little one didn’t flush the toilet fully. It left a bit of residual waste after we’d cleaned, and we received a not so friendly message when the owner returned home.

We always aim to leave the house spotless, but sometimes things slip through the cracks. What we ask is that hosts look at the bigger picture, your animals were loved and cared for, your house was lived in, and your pets didn’t have to endure the stress of a kennel.

Respect and understanding should go both ways. We hope these tips help aspiring pet sitters and owners alike! If you have any additional tips, we’d love to hear them!

Should You Pet Sit With Your Family and Use Our Pet Sitting Tips On Your Adventure?

Absolutely, house sitting with your family can be an incredible experience, but it’s important to be realistic about the level of work required. Some sits can be more demanding than others, which might limit what you’re able to explore in the area. Understanding the time and commitment involved will help set the right expectations and ensure a more enjoyable experience.

For us, pet sitting has been a fantastic way to discover places we might never have ventured to on our own. It’s given us the chance to slow down, connect with the pets, and really immerse ourselves in new environments. 

Plus, it’s a valuable opportunity for our kids to learn about caring for animals beyond the usual dogs and cats, teaching them responsibility and empathy along the way!