Pet-Sitting Myths

by admin · April 17, 2021

Pet-Sitting myths you should know.

by Elizabeth Hines

Pet-sitting has been around for quite some time. And, it has given pet owners peace of mind, while giving willing pet lovers something to do to earn money on the side.

However, when one searches “pet-sitting” online, it’s easy to get discouraged from the negative press – most of them misleading. While the web sees pet-sitting as a way for someone to make some extra cash at any given time, you can bet that the people that put that information online might not have done enough research on the things and tasks that pet-sitting requires.

That’s where we come in!

Today, we’ll unmask 5 of the most common myths about being a pet sitter, and discover the real truth about them:

Pet Sitters Are Too Expensive

While it’s already costly to keep your pet fed, maintained, and comfortable at home, it doesn’t have to be too costly to hire a professional pet sitter. While at least two visits a week are required when hiring a pet sitter, ultimately the things that will be ‘costly’ will be when you transport your dog to and from a boarding facility, and treating any bugs that they might’ve picked up when they were out and about.

As a result, professional pet sitters have their own set prices, depending on the dog or cat – how old they are, any accomodations needed, etc.

Pet Sitters Just lay Around All Day

The most common myth out there, people are led to believe that pet-sitting is just you… well, sitting around, while watching an animal. But we’re here to tell you that that’s NOT true.

In fact, when pet-sitting, you’ll be doing the following:

Walking (dog)
Washing (dog)
Grooming
Playing
Feeding
Cleaning a cage

With those tasks in mind, you’ll see that pet-sitting is usually full of activity.

Your Pet Will Be Lonely And Scared

Not to worry! When left with a pet sitter, your pet won’t be alone or scared. In fact, they’ll be entertained, as the pet sitter plays with them, feeds them, etc. And, when your pet is at home, they’re more comfortable and feel safer in their own familiar surroundings, smells, and noises.

Neighbors Can Sit For Less

Yes, it can be tempting dismiss professional pet sitters by saying that the neighbors can care for them for a lot less (or for free). However, if your neighbor isn’t a dog person, a cat person, or even a pet person in general, then what?

When asking your neighbor to watch your pet, consider the following questions:

Can they care for your pet like you would?
Can they follow schedules for feeding, bathing, walking, etc.?
Would they know what to do in emergency situations?
Would they know what to do if your animal is vomiting, or had swallowed something it shouldn’t have?
Do they have you on speed dial if something goes wrong?
Finally, is it worth taking your chances with a friend or neighbor who has little to no experience with pets?

If your friend or neighbor can’t do any of the above, then your best bet is with a professional pet sitter, since they’re more knowledgeable when it comes to pets and animals.

Pet-Sitting Is For When You’re Vacationing

In truth, pet sitting is possible for any occasion, besides vacationing. Whenever you’re too busy to care for your pet, or just need a break from them, a pet sitter can take them off your hands for a while. All pet sitters understand that caring for a pet can be stressful for pet owners, and that most people work full-time jobs to the point where they’ll be too busy to care for their pets. So, it’s right that you can hire a pet sitter for any occasion.

So, you see, pet sitters are available whenever you need them, and they can handle the daily routines for you – walking, playing, feeding, etc. That’s their job!

Conclusion

Pet-sitting is, and will still be, a way for pet lovers to not only earn extra money, but also a way for pet owners to do other things while not worrying about their pets 24/7. So, let’s give pet-sitting the respect that’s due. Hopefully, we gave you peace of mind, as you see past these 5 myths on pet-sitting.