Holiday Pet Sitting: When to Book and What to Discuss

With the holidays fast approaching, travel plans and family gatherings are starting to fill our calendars. If your pets will need care while you're away, this is a great time to start making their plans, too!

One of the questions I hear most often is, "How far in advance should I book a pet sitter?" My answer? Reach out as soon as you start planning. Even if you're still figuring out the details, starting that conversation early gives you more time to find the right fit.

How Early Should You Book Holiday Pet Care?

For holiday stays, I recommend reaching out at least six months in advance whenever possible.

At BRITT SITS, I accept requests up to a year ahead. My calendar often fills up around three to six months before a holiday, but there are exceptions. I've had entire months fully booked a year in advance!

You don't need to have every flight and hotel reservation finalized before contacting me. Share your tentative travel dates, and we can start discussing your pet's needs and my availability.

I'm happy to hold tentative bookings for up to two weeks before requiring a deposit while you finish making arrangements. After that, a deposit is needed to confirm your reservation.

And if your trip is coming up soon, please still reach out! Cancellations and schedule changes happen, so it's always worth asking.

Hiring Someone New? Plan a Stay Before the Holidays

If you're working with a new pet sitter, I recommend arranging a shorter booking before your holiday trip whenever possible.

A meet and greet is a wonderful starting point, but an actual visit or overnight stay gives everyone a chance to get comfortable. Your pet can begin building familiarity with their sitter, and you can establish communication, routines, and expectations before a longer stay.

It also gives you a chance to work through little details you might not think to discuss until care is underway. Finding out that your dog considers 5 a.m. breakfast time is useful information for everyone involved!

What Should You Discuss Before Booking?

The right fit goes beyond finding someone with an open calendar. Your sitter needs to understand what your pet's care involves so they can confirm that they're able to meet those needs. Here are some of the most important things to discuss:

• How Long Your Pet Can Be Alone: This is something I always ask about before accepting a booking. Some pets are comfortable spending several hours on their own, while others need more frequent companionship or potty breaks because of their age, medical needs, separation anxiety, or other circumstances. If your dog can only be left alone for an hour or two, your sitter needs to know that from the beginning.
• Daily Routines and Care Needs: Walk your sitter through a typical day, including meals, walks, potty breaks, medications, and bedtime routines. Share any quirks, too! Whether your cat only eats when someone sits nearby or your dog needs their favorite blanket to settle down, those little details help your sitter provide familiar, comforting care.
• Behavior, Fears, and Safety: Let your sitter know about things like door-dashing, leash reactivity, fear of visitors, or a tendency to eat things they shouldn't. If cleaners, relatives, deliveries, or other visitors are expected during the stay, discuss that ahead of time.
• What the Stay Will Look Like: Make sure you and your sitter have the same understanding of the service you're booking. Discuss arrival and departure times, overnight arrangements, daytime care, and any periods when your pet will be alone.
• Communication and Emergency Plans: Talk about how you'd like to receive updates and how to reach you while you're traveling. Leave your veterinarian's information, an emergency contact, and instructions for what to do if you can't be reached.
• Deposits and Policies: Review deposits, payment deadlines, cancellation policies, and what happens if your travel dates change.

A Little Planning Makes a Big Difference

Booking early gives us time to get to know each other, talk through your pet's needs, and make a plan you can feel good about.

My goal is for you to enjoy your holiday knowing your pets are receiving thoughtful, dependable care in the comfort of their own home.

Already thinking about holiday travel? Send me your dates, even if they're still tentative. I'd love to help you get your pet's plans started!

And keep an eye out for something new: I'll soon be introducing a BRITT SITS membership with early, priority access to bookings and more. I'm excited to share the details when it's ready!

Because at BRITT SITS, your pets aren't just another booking. They're family. 💕

BRITT SITS - Where Care & Cuddles Come to You.