The Ultimate Holiday Pet Care Checklist: Everything to Prepare Before Your Pet Sitter Arrives

Jul 6
3 min read

Whether you're heading away for a weekend getaway or a long overseas holiday, a little preparation goes a long way. Having everything ready before your pet sitter arrives helps ensure your pets stay happy, your home stays secure, and you can relax knowing everything has been thought of.

At Lulu & Co Pet Care, we provide professional dog sitting in Kellyville, dog sitting in Kings Langley, and dog sitting in Marsden Park, not to mention other services in different locations. Over the years we've learned that the best holiday care experiences all have one thing in common: great preparation.

Here's our complete holiday pet care checklist.

Your Pet's Essentials

Before you leave, make sure you've stocked enough supplies for the entire trip, plus a few extra days just in case your travel plans change.

Food (plus extra)

Treats

Fresh water bowls

Medication and/or Supplements

Feeding instructions

Favourite toys

Leads, harnesses and collars

Waste bags

Cat litter (if applicable)

Pro Tip: Store everything together in one easy-to-find location and label containers if you have multiple pets.

Access to Your Home

One of the most important things to organise is how your pet sitter will access your home.

We recommend a lockbox (our preferred option) or leaving a spare key somewhere

Leave Clear Instructions

During your onboarding with us, we ask a lot of question - the more we know, the more we can keep your pet's routine consistent.

Emergency Information

Always ensure your pets details such as their microchip number is up to date and there is an emergency contact we can call.

Prepare Your Home

Holiday care isn't just about your pets - it also means looking after your home.

Before you leave:

✔ Check all smoke alarms are working

✔ Make sure lights are functioning

✔ Let us know if any power points or appliances should not be used

✔ Identify your electrical switchboard in case of an emergency

✔ Ensure outdoor lighting works for evening visits

✔ Remove trip hazards from walkways

If there are any appliances we'd need to use (such as automatic feeders, pet cameras or water fountains), it's helpful to show us how they operate during your meet and greet.

Keep Your Pet Care Station Organised

Having one designated area makes every visit more efficient.

We recommend storing together:

Food
Treats
Medication
Cleaning supplies
Spare towels
Waste bags
Grooming brushes
Litter supplies

It helps us spend more time caring for your pets and less time searching cupboards.

Communication While You're Away

One of the biggest reasons clients choose professional holiday care is peace of mind.

After every visit with Lulu & Co Pet Care you'll receive:

✔ Photos

✔ Videos

✔ A detailed visit report

✔ Health observations

✔ Feeding updates

✔ Toilet updates

✔ Notes about your pet's mood and behaviour

You'll know exactly how your pet is doing throughout your holiday.

Don't Forget Your Home

As part of our holiday care visits we can also:

Bring bins in and out
Collect mail and parcels
Water plants
Alternate blinds and lights (if requested)
Perform basic home security checks
Keep feeding areas clean
Wash bowls
Empty litter trays
Clean up accidents
Leave your home tidy and sanitised after every visit

Questions to Ask Before Booking a Pet Sitter

Not all pet sitters offer the same level of care. Before making your decision, ask:

Are you fully insured?
Are your team members police checked?
Will I receive photos and updates?
Can you administer medication?
Do you complete health checks at every visit?
What happens if my pet becomes unwell?
Do you provide detailed visit reports?
How do you keep my home secure while I'm away?
Do you clean food bowls, litter trays and pet areas during visits?
Can you tailor visits to my pet's routine?

These questions will help you choose a provider who prioritises both your pet's wellbeing and your peace of mind.

Looking for Professional Holiday Pet Care?

Whether you're searching for dog sitting in Kellyville, dog sitting in Kings Langley, or dog sitting in Marsden Park, choosing the right pet sitter means finding someone who treats your pets—and your home—with the same care and respect you do.

At Lulu & Co Pet Care, every holiday care visit is designed to keep your pets comfortable in the place they know best while giving you complete confidence that everything at home is being looked after.