Most people land here with the same question circling their head: Can I go away and still know my pet will be safe at home? The decision matters. A pet that’s unsettled, under-stimulated, or cared for by the wrong person can become unwell, escape, or develop stress-related behaviours that linger after you return.
Home pet minding (a sitter caring for your pet in your home) can work beautifully when it’s planned carefully. The key is choosing the right carer, writing down routines that are usually “obvious”, and setting up a simple safety net for emergencies.
What “home pet minding” usually means
Home pet minding is when a pet sitter comes to your home to care for your animals while you’re away. Depending on what you book, the sitter may:
- stay overnight (house sitting), or
- visit on a schedule (for example, morning and evening), or
- do a mix of both during longer trips.
Care typically includes food and water, cleaning (litter trays, aviary papers, backyard pick-ups), exercise and enrichment, and a basic welfare check. Some sitters will also give medications, do light grooming, and keep an eye on the house (bringing in mail, watering plants).1, 2
Why pets often cope better at home
For many animals, staying in familiar territory reduces disruption. The smells are the same. The feeding spot is the same. The usual resting places still exist. That steadiness can matter, especially for cats and older pets, or animals with health issues.1, 2
Home care also tends to be quieter than high-volume boarding environments. Boarding can be well run, but it’s still a concentration of unfamiliar animals, new sounds, new routines, and (sometimes) higher exposure to contagious respiratory illness such as canine cough or cat flu.3
When boarding might be the better option
Home minding is not automatically the “best” choice. A reputable boarding facility may suit you better when:
- your pet needs frequent supervision that a visiting sitter can’t provide,
- your home setup makes safe care difficult (for example, poor fencing for an escape-prone dog),
- your pet is uncomfortable with strangers in the home, or
- you prefer a facility with on-site staff and formal processes.
If you’re considering boarding, look for clear routines, good hygiene, appropriate space, and access to veterinary care, and expect vaccination requirements to protect all animals in the facility.4, 5
How to choose a reliable home pet sitter
Start with trust and verification. A good sitter should be comfortable answering practical questions without becoming defensive.
Quick checks that matter
- Meet-and-greet first. Watch how your pet responds and how the sitter handles basic instructions.1
- Experience with your type of animal. Birds, rabbits, reptiles, and multi-pet homes often need more specific handling than a simple “feed and pat”.
- Clear routines in writing. Feeding amounts, walking rules, meds, where pets are allowed, and what “normal” looks like for your animal.1, 2
- Emergency readiness. They should have your contact details, an alternate contact, and your vet’s details, and know what you want done if they can’t reach you.1, 2
- Professional standards (where possible). Membership of a recognised industry body and adherence to a code of practice can be a useful extra layer, especially for paid services.6
Questions worth asking (calmly, directly)
- How long will my pet be alone each day?
- What’s your plan if my dog won’t eat, or my cat hides?
- Have you given oral meds before? What about eye drops or insulin (if relevant)?
- What would make you seek veterinary help immediately?
- How do you prevent escapes when entering and exiting the house?
- How often do you send updates, and what do you include?
What to expect during a home pet minding service
A solid home minding service feels quiet and consistent. The sitter follows your routine, checks water (twice is not excessive in hot weather), notices small changes, and keeps doors, gates, and latches as secure as they found them.
Most owners arrange regular updates. Photos are helpful, but the most useful messages also mention behaviour: appetite, toileting, energy, and anything unusual (extra scratching, coughing, limping, vomiting, diarrhoea, hiding).3
Preparing your home and pets before you leave
Do the setup while you still have time to fix small problems. A good departure is boring. That’s the point.
The essentials to set out
- Written care notes (feeding, walks, meds, quirks, what your pet is frightened of, and what “normal” looks like).1, 2
- Supplies plus extra food, litter, medications, and any prescription diet (allow for travel delays).2
- Vet details including your usual clinic and the nearest emergency vet, plus your pet’s records if available.1, 2
- Safe enrichment toys, puzzle feeders, scratching posts, chew items, and familiar bedding (matched to your pet and supervised appropriately).7
- Identification tag on the collar (if worn) and microchip details kept up to date.1
A quick home safety pass
- Check fences and gates for gaps, loose palings, and dodgy latches.
- Store medications and human food securely (many are toxic to pets).
- Leave cleaning products and pest baits out of reach.
- Make sure air flow is sensible and water is available in more than one place.
Common concerns (and sensible ways to handle them)
“What if my pet gets sick while I’m away?”
Leave clear instructions about what counts as an emergency for your pet, and authorise your sitter to seek veterinary care if they can’t reach you. Provide your vet’s contact details and an alternate emergency contact who can make decisions if you’re on a flight or out of range.1, 2
“What if my pet escapes?”
Prevention is mostly routine: careful door and gate habits, and not assuming a pet will “stay put”. Make sure identification is current, and leave a recent photo of your pet that a sitter can use quickly if needed.8
“What if there’s an emergency like a bushfire or flood?”
If you live in an area prone to evacuations, give the sitter a simple plan: where carriers are kept, how pets are contained, and who to call. The NSW Government recommends having transport and containment ready (crate, carrier, cage), labelled with contact details, and thinking ahead about where animals could go if you can’t return home as planned.8
Costs: home pet minding vs boarding (what really changes)
Prices vary a lot by city, season, and what you book (drop-ins versus overnight stays). Rather than assuming one is always cheaper, compare like-for-like care:
- Home minding can include house-sitting and tailored routines, but you’re paying for time and availability.
- Boarding is usually priced per day, often with vaccination requirements and set operating routines.
The practical question is coverage: how many hours your pet is supervised, what happens if something goes wrong, and how well your pet copes with change.1, 3, 4
A quieter definition of “peace of mind”
Good pet minding is unremarkable. Your pet stays steady. Food disappears as expected. Water bowls stay topped up. Nothing dramatic happens because the basics are handled the same way, every day.
Choose a sitter who respects routines, prepare your home like you’re leaving instructions for someone competent but unfamiliar, and leave a clear emergency pathway. The holiday feels lighter when the care plan is simple and solid.1, 2
References
- RSPCA Pet Insurance — The pros and cons of pet sitting and pet boarding
- RSPCA Australia — How to plan for your pets if going away over the holidays
- The University of Sydney — 5 things to know before boarding your dog or cat
- RSPCA Knowledgebase — How can I find a good boarding facility for my companion animal?
- Agriculture Victoria — Code of Practice for the Operation of Boarding Establishments
- Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA) — National Code of Practice
- RSPCA Pet Insurance — Routine care for cats and dogs (checklist)
- NSW Government — How to prepare pets and livestock for an emergency
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom