Hey there!
As a pet sitter myself, I’ve seen a wide variety of ‘bags packed’ for a pet’s stay at my house. From pet parents who arrive with a perfectly packed bag that makes their pet’s stay feel like a mini holiday, to those who forget some of the smaller details.
What’s great though is that it’s allowed me to learn what’s important and what to remind pet parents to pack beforehand. Because a little bit of planning goes a long way in helping pets settle quickly and enjoy themselves while their humans are away.
So, here’s my guide on what to pack and why it matters.
1. Food & feeding instructions
One of the most important things to get right is how much food a pet needs and providing clear feeding instructions. When pet parents arrive prepared with measured portions, treats, and detailed schedules, meals go smoothly and the pet stays happy and healthy. Everyone wins!
What to pack:
Enough food for the whole stay (plus a little extra, just in case)
Treats (including any dispensers, like a Kong, or licking mats that they’re used to having)
Food bowls – your sitter will likely have one that they use for all pet stays, but it’s always best to pack one anyway, or at least check with the sitter beforehand.
Provide instructions for:
✔️ Portion sizes and feeding times: these are more important than you might think. Pets are creatures of habit, and like us humans, they can get ‘hangry’ if their meal times are changed unexpectedly!
✔️ Allergies or dietary sensitivities: if your pet has any, that is. List out any foods or treats to avoid. A top quality pet sitter will steer clear of all toxic foods for pets, but it’s the more specific needs that your pet has that’s important to communicate.
From experience: Pets are much calmer when they stick to their normal diet. One of my clients provides the food and their measuring scale, which is amazingly helpful!
💡 Top tip: During the meet & greet, or at drop-off, just mention any foods that the pet shouldn’t eat. I once had a dog who LOVED eggs but the aftermath wasn’t great for either of us!
2. Medications & supplements (if applicable)
Nothing stresses me more than trying to figure out a dosage on the fly. Clear instructions and labelled medications make a world of difference!
What to pack:
Medications in original packaging
Written dosage and timing instructions
Emergency vet contact
From experience: If your pet only takes their meds hidden in a treat, let the sitter know — it saves a lot of negotiation time! And if there are any subtle side affects, just make the Sitter aware so they know it’s a normal reaction and can monitor accordingly.
💡 Top tip: This info can be documented in the pet profile on Mad Paws platform. The pet profile summarises key information like this, and once you enter the details, the profile is then saved and available for any and all sitters you book with in future. Handy huh!
+ Another important tip: Before any booking starts, check when your pet was last treated for parasites. Being on top of their flea, tick and worming treatments will ensure no incidents in the sitter’s care.
3. Comfort items from home
I can’t stress enough how much comfort items help a pet settle in. Their favourite blanket, bed, or toy can make a new environment feel like home. It has their familiar smells and settles them more than anything else.
What to pack:
Bed and/or blanket
Favourite toys
A worn t-shirt of yours (or any item of clothing) if they get anxious
From experience: I once had a puppy who refused to sleep at first, but as soon as we pull his blanket out and laid it down, he settled almost instantly. Sometimes, a familiar scent is all it takes. With another pupper, they had one toy that was their daytime/playtime toy and another that was their night time snuggle buddy. This info is really good to know, too, so you can signal the right action at the right time of day!
💡 Top tip: Don’t bring any toys that are broken (like the stitching coming undone, for example) because this will become a choking hazard and the sitter shouldn’t use it.
4. Walking, exercise & play essentials
Every pet has their routine, and sticking to it keeps them happy. Not knowing a pet’s preferred walk time or toy can leave them restless.
What to pack:
Lead, harness, and poo bags
Any muzzles or similar items, if needed
Toys or puzzle games
- Any clothing they usually wear (eg. a rain jacket or coat for walks)
Provide instructions for:
✔️ Walking schedule – this is also one of the details you can add to their pet profile on the Mad Paws app!
✔️ Off-leash rules (if they allow it)
✔️ Social preferences
From experience: I had a high energy dog who usually has a run-around at sunset. Missing that “zoomies hour” once made him a little mischievous indoors, so now I always ask about exercise windows so I can time their playtime perfectly!
💡 Top tip: Be sure to mention if your pet becomes anxious or more bold when bored. Pets can act very differently at home versus when they’re staying somewhere else. Because of this, a lot of pets get the urge to ‘escape’ when their routine is changed, so this insight is more important to share than you may know.
5. Grooming needs
Even a short stay can require some upkeep, and pets feel more comfortable when they’re clean and well-groomed.
What to pack:
Brush or comb
Any detangling spray (if your pet’s fur is long and prone to matting)
- Dental chews or toothbrush
Pet-safe shampoo (especially for sensitive skin or allergies)
A towel – this is a nice-to-have as it depends on the pet’s energy levels, the season, your plans and the length of stay.
From experience: I had a doggo stay with us for a couple of weeks, so we took her to the beach for some fun and exercise. When we got back, we bathed her but we didn’t have any pet-safe shampoo left so we couldn’t give her a good scrub to freshen her up. We ended up going out to buy some shampoo from a pet store so she’d be clean and comfortable for the rest of her stay.
💡 Top tip: Giving your pet a bath before drop-off is a thoughtful step — it helps them feel fresh and comfortable, and makes for a nicer stay for both them and the sitter hosting them. And, if they have a special grooming routine, let the sitter know.
6. Health & safety information
Knowing a pet’s quirks helps the pet sitter care for them properly.
What to provide:
Vet name, number, and emergency contacts – another inclusion on the Mad Paws pet profile 👌
Vaccination status
Behaviour notes (triggers, fears, quirks)
From experience: I (thankfully) haven’t experienced any incidents with a pet in my care, but it does happen. And sometimes it’s unavoidable, like anything in life. Many sitters will have a pet first aid kit handy, but it’s wise to be thorough with vet information, vaccinations, and even insights into any triggers the pet might may have.
💡 Top tip: Check your pet’s ID before drop-off. Double-check that their collar or harness has an up-to-date ID tag with your current contact details. If your pet is microchipped, make sure your registration info is correct. It’s a small step that gives extra peace of mind for everyone involved. Check out our other article, ‘3 ways to ensure your pet has proper ID‘.
7. House rules & routines
Pets feel safest when they know what to expect, so sharing house rules and routines helps them settle in quickly and enjoy their stay.
What to provide:
Sleep patterns (crate, bed, or favourite spot)
Furniture rules (allowed on couches, beds, or specific rooms)
Training cues and commands you normally use
Alone-time tolerance (how long they’re comfortable being alone)
Meal and snack routines
From experience: Pets adapt more easily when they know what’s expected of them. Small routines, familiar commands, and consistent rules help reduce anxiety and make interactions smoother for both the pet and the sitter. One dog I cared for didn’t like being left alone at all, otherwise she’d act out. Knowing this ahead of time allowed us to plan out her stay so she was never alone for a minute! And hence, she (and we) enjoyed a stress-free stay!
💡 Top tip: Even little details, like “she always waits by the door before walks” or “he prefers quiet time after dinner,” make a big difference. Sharing these helps your sitter keep your pet’s routine consistent and makes the stay feel like home.
Finally, (when applicable) Summer essentials
If it’s a warm-weather stay, here are some additional items to include in your pet’s back-pack!
What to provide:
Pet-safe sunscreen
Cooling mat if they’d usually have one
Water bottle (for walks)
Floaties or a life jacket for pool or beach activities (if they’d usually use one)
A final tip from me: Before the booking (aka. your pet’s holiday) starts, going through and completing all sections of the pet profile on the Mad Paws platform is the biggest help you can provide! For your pet’s sake, as well as for the sitter. The six sections only ever need to be completed once and will remain on your account forever. It’s basically a summary of these most important points, to ensure the best stay ever!
