How often should a pet sitter visit my cat or dog?

How often should a pet sitter visit a cat?

A pet sitter should see and check a healthy adult cat at least once a day, and twice a day is better for trips longer than a weekend. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s cat code of practice says each cat should be assessed at least once every 24 hours and notes that cats are adept at hiding symptoms.

The sitter needs to actually see your cat, not just refill bowls. Ask them to check the litter box, note how much food was eaten, and find a cat that hides. The CVMA lists signs such as being unable to urinate for more than 12 hours as an emergency, which is one reason a daily look matters.

How often should a pet sitter visit a dog?

Most adult dogs need a sitter several times a day, spaced out for bathroom breaks, meals, exercise and company, or an overnight sitter. How long a dog can be alone depends on age, health, bladder control and temperament, so start from your dog’s normal routine at home and ask your vet if unsure.

The CVMA kennel code describes a dog’s daily needs as eating, drinking, resting, elimination, exercising and socializing, and calls for a daily exercise program. A dog that is used to someone home most of the day will usually cope better with an overnight or live-in sitter than with drop-ins.

What is the difference between drop-in visits, overnight stays and live-in pet sitting?

Drop-in visits are short visits at set times, usually suited to cats and independent adult pets. An overnight sitter sleeps at your home and adds evening and morning care. A live-in sitter stays for most of the day and night, which suits dogs, young animals, seniors and pets needing close monitoring.

Whichever you choose, write the visit times into your agreement with the sitter, along with what each visit includes, so both of you know exactly what was promised.

• ✓Drop-in visits: healthy adult cats, small mammals, fish, and some older, calm dogs with a dog door or yard
• ✓Overnight stays: most dogs, anxious pets, multi-pet homes, and homes that should look lived in
• ✓Live-in care: puppies, kittens, seniors, pets on timed medication, and pets recovering from illness

Do puppies, kittens and senior pets need more frequent visits?

Yes. Young animals need frequent meals, supervision and bathroom breaks, and seniors may need medication, help moving or closer watching for sudden changes. The CVMA cat code notes that monitoring frequency depends on life stage and health status, with young kittens needing frequent supervision. Overnight or live-in care is usually the safer choice.

How often should someone check on backyard chickens or goats?

Backyard chickens need checking at least twice a day and goats at least daily, ideally by someone with farm-animal experience. The national code for laying hens, which applies to backyard flocks, requires flocks to be inspected at least twice daily. The national goat code requires feeders, water systems and fencing to be checked daily.

Farm animals bring tasks many pet sitters have never done: checking electric fences, breaking ice on waterers, spotting a goat caught in fencing, closing a coop against predators, and recognizing illness in a flock. Look for someone who has kept or cared for the same species, and walk them through every chore before you leave.

Provincial animal protection laws, such as Nova Scotia’s Animal Protection Act, cover farm animals as well as companion animals, and rules differ by province. Check your province’s requirements if you keep livestock.

When is a drop-in visit schedule not enough?

Drop-ins are not enough when a pet needs medication at strict times, cannot hold its bladder for long, gets very anxious alone, is very young or old, or when weather could stop a sitter from arriving. In those cases choose an overnight or live-in sitter, or consider a good boarding facility.

It also helps to think about the home itself. A sitter who stays overnight notices a furnace failure, a leak or a door left open far sooner than someone who drops in for a short visit, which matters for pets that cannot tolerate cold or heat.

Plan for Canadian winters too. A snowstorm or power outage can delay a sitter, so name a nearby backup person who can get to your home, and leave enough food and water for delays.

Can I find drop-in, overnight or farm-animal sitters on Maple Care?

Yes. Your free, anonymous request can describe your animals, the visit schedule you want, and whether you need farm-animal experience. Only your city shows. Independent care professionals decide whether to pay for your contact details, and you agree the schedule and rates directly with the person you choose.

Frequently asked questions