Has a friend or family member asked you recently to watch their beloved feline or canine friend while they are out of town? If so, there are certain things for you to know and understand before taking their pet into your home. Read this post for tips about how to prepare yourself and your home for someone else’s pet.

First, it’s wonderful of you to help another person’s beloved furry friend! In fact, it probably saves them a lot of stress and money before an important trip. Good for you! But remember that you don’t have to say yes, if you find that it’s not the best situation. Just be honest and upfront with the friend or family member needing assistance.

Take these things into consideration before agreeing to temporarily take in a dog or cat.

1. Do you have any other pets? if you have another pet, consider how your pets might react to another one that doesn’t “belong” in your home. Can you separate the pets initially until they understand what is going on? Does your pet like other outside pets? You might consider doing a pet meet-and-greet prior to taking them in. It all depends on the pets involved and what they can handle.

2. How big is the dog or cat? Think about the size of the pet that will be coming into your home. Large dogs are a lot different than small dogs. Cats are not all the same either. Is the size of the pet something that you can handle?

3. What do the daily responsibilities look like? Remember that having a pet requires daily maintenance. A cat will need the litter changed out on a regular basis. The pet may have special eye drops that are administered daily. Make sure to cover this all with the pet owner before you take in a new dog or cat.

4. How often do you need to be home for the dog or cat? Depending on how long that pet will be staying with you, you might need to think about your upcoming schedule. For example, if you have a wedding or a small trip planned yourself. Some pets require more attention from humans. Be sure to understand the dog or cat before the overnight.

5. Do you have anything else important going on? Don’t forget to look at your own calendar! Is the owner OK with you being away from the home for long periods of time? Will the pet remain in a kennel or roam freely about your home?

6. How long will they be gone? Before you say yes or no, ask how long the pet owners will be gone.

7. In case of an emergency, do they have a regular veterinarian? Does the pet owner take their dog or cat to a specific veterinarian? It’s a good idea to have that name and number handy in case something does come up suddenly and you can’t get a hold of the pet owner.

8. What supplies are needed for the pet? You know how it goes when you’re traveling and right before you go you must pack and tie up loose ends. Dropping off a pet is not always the easiest thing to prepare for. Often times an owner might forget a pet scoop or a bowl without you even knowing until they are gone. For example, when walking a dog outside you need waste bags. Did the owner remember to send some with you? Or do you have some handy? Also, don’t forget to ask for that favorite toy that will help the pet feel more at home with you.

Babysitting someone else’s pet is a great thing to do, but it can also be difficult for some. Pets are amazing creatures that require love, attention, shelter, water and food. Even a temporary babysitter must offer these things to a pet. Make sure you are able to be a reliable pet sitter for someone before you sign up for the job.

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