Caring for Senior Pets While You’re Away: How to Find the Best In-Home Sitter

Published on 7 March 2025 at 13:41

Why Senior Pets Need Specialised In-Home Care

Leaving an elderly pet at home while travelling can be a worrying experience. Unlike younger animals, senior pets often require extra attention, routine stability, and sometimes medical care. Whether your older dog needs gentle exercise, or your ageing cat has specific feeding and medication requirements, an experienced in-home pet sitter can ensure they remain comfortable and stress-free in your absence.

For pet owners in The Cotswolds, Dorset and Wiltshire, finding a reliable senior pet sitter who understands the unique challenges of caring for ageing pets is essential. In this guide, we’ll explore:
✅ Why senior pets benefit from in-home care over kennels
✅ What to look for in a specialist pet sitter for elderly animals
✅ How to prepare your pet and home for a successful sit
✅ Key questions to ask before hiring a sitter

Why In-Home Pet Care is the Best Choice for Elderly Pets

While boarding kennels and catteries are popular options, they can be stressful for older pets who are used to familiar surroundings. In-home pet care offers significant benefits:

🐶 1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety

Older pets thrive on routine and familiarity. Keeping them in their home environment minimises disruptions to their:

Sleeping patterns
Eating schedule
Toilet habits
Comfort and security

💊 2. Easier Management of Medical Conditions

Senior pets often require:
✔ Daily medication (e.g. insulin for diabetic pets, pain relief for arthritis)
✔ Special diets or feeding routines
✔ Close monitoring for any signs of discomfort or illness

An experienced sitter trained in pet first aid can handle these needs with confidence and care.

🚶‍♂️ 3. Adjusted Exercise & Mobility Support

Older dogs may still enjoy their daily walks, but they often need:
🐾 Shorter, slower walks to prevent joint strain
🐾 Help with stairs or slippery surfaces
🐾 Assistance getting up after lying down

A sitter familiar with senior pet mobility issues will know how to support them appropriately.

Winter House Sit Banbury, The Cotswolds

House Sitting This Old Lady In Calne, Wiltshire

🦴 4. 1:1 Attention & Comfort

In a kennel or cattery, staff care for multiple animals at once. An in-home sitter provides dedicated, one-on-one care—ensuring your pet receives affection, companionship, and mental stimulation.

How to Find the Right Pet Sitter for an Elderly Pet

Not all pet sitters have experience with senior pets, so it’s essential to choose wisely. Here’s what to look for:

📜 1. Experience with Senior Pet Care

Ask potential sitters:
✅ Have you cared for elderly pets before?
✅ Are you comfortable administering medication?
✅ How would you handle a pet mobility issue?

A great sitter should be knowledgeable about age-related conditions like arthritis, cognitive decline, and dietary sensitivities.

🆘 2. Pet First Aid Training & Emergency Preparedness

Your sitter should:
✔ Be trained in pet first aid (CPR, handling minor injuries, recognising distress)
✔ Know when to call a vet for sudden changes in behaviour or health
✔ Have experience managing emergencies, such as seizures or breathing difficulties

💬 3. Patience & Understanding

Older pets may be:
🐕 More sensitive to loud noises or sudden changes
🐈 Slower to respond or more withdrawn
🐾 Prone to accidents indoors

A patient, understanding sitter will know how to keep them calm and comfortable.

🔄 4. Willingness to Follow Routine Exactly

A consistent daily schedule is vital for senior pets. A sitter should stick to their usual:
📍 Meal times and portion sizes
📍 Medication schedule
📍 Walks and toilet breaks
📍 Sleeping arrangements

🐾 Tip: If your dog is used to sleeping in the bedroom, ensure the sitter is happy to accommodate this.

House Sitting An Good Boy in The Cotswolds

🏠 Preparing Your Home & Pet for an In-Home Sitter

Once you've chosen the right sitter, make sure they’re set up for success by preparing your home and pet.

📌 Create a Detailed Care Plan

Write down clear daily instructions, including:
✔ Feeding times, portion sizes, and dietary needs
✔ Medication instructions (dosage, timing, administration method)
✔ Vet contact details & emergency numbers
✔ Typical behaviour patterns (e.g. signs of discomfort, habits)

🐾 Tip: Leave extra food and medication in case of unexpected travel delays.

📞 Schedule a Meet-and-Greet

🐕 Arrange for the sitter to visit before the booking so they can:

Meet your pet and observe their behaviour
Learn your home’s layout and safety measures
Ask any final questions about their care routine

🐾 Tip: If your pet is nervous, arrange multiple short visits to build familiarity.

🏥 Alert Your Vet

Inform your vet that a sitter will be caring for your pet, and pre-authorise emergency care. Leave a signed permission note with your vet so the sitter can approve treatment if needed.

Key Questions to Ask When Hiring a Senior Professional Pet Sitter

Before engaging a professional sitter for your home and pets, ask these essential screening questions:

✔ What experience do you have with senior pets?
✔ Are you comfortable administering medication?
✔ How would you handle a medical emergency?
✔ Can you provide references from previous clients with older pets?
✔ Are you pet first aid certified?
✔ How will you ensure my pet sticks to their routine?

A professional senior pet sitter should confidently answer these questions and show a genuine understanding of elderly pet care.

Finding the Best Pet Sitter for an Elderly Pet in Wiltshire

Elderly pets deserve specialised, compassionate care and choosing the right pet sitter is the best way to keep them safe, comfortable, and stress-free while you're away.

By selecting a qualified, patient, and experienced sitter, you can ensure your senior pet receives the attention, medication, and companionship they need.