Tag Archive for: pet sitter

Why is it Important For My Pet Sitter to be an Employee?

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As a professional pet sitter it is important for us to understand the legal risks for both ourselves, our employees and our clients.  Especially since animals are unpredictable, we want to make sure everyone is protected in the case of an unfortunate accident.

We avoid problems whenever possible but after doing our research it was decided that having employees is the only responsible way for Wet Noses Pet Sitting to run as a business and here is why:

  1.  Employees are covered by Workman’s Compensation Insurance
    This insurance protects you, the client, in the case of the sitter being injured.  If a sitter were to slip on ice in your front yard you could be sued for medical costs if the sitter is not covered by workman’s comp insurance.  Pet sitter insurance only covers damage to your home and animals in the case of an accident.
  2. Employees can undergo training
    One of the qualities we are most proud of here at Wet Noses Pet Sitting is the training your sitter undergoes, both when they join the team and continuing education.  Our sitters not only learn CPR and first aid but also learn about proper animal handling techniques, what constitutes a pet emergency, positive reinforcement training techniques and more!  We offer continuing training for unique situations and ongoing tips and tricks for being an awesome pet sitter.  When companies hire independent contractors they are not able to train them so they only have the knowledge they come with when hired.
  3. Employees are consistent
    Since contractors cannot be trained that also means that they are pretty much on their own when they go to do a job.  Think of a person that does tile work.  One might be wonderful and another terrible, because they are not trained to provide consistent quality of service based on the expectations of a company.  Pet sitters that are contractors legally can only be hired for a job and it is up to them how the job gets done.

For these reasons we at Wet Noses Pet Sitting are very excited to work with our amazing employees to make sure we provide the best pet sitting and dog walking service possible!

Do You Charge Extra for Multiple Pets?

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Colorado is a very pet-friendly area and many households have multiple pets. This can mean when looking for pet care it can be a bit harder. If you are boarding dogs, there is an increased price for the more you have. The same for cats. Not to mention the stress of needing to transport them to a facility, or to different places if you have different types of animals. For those of you who have large pet households, pet sitters may be your only real option when going out of town.

So how much extra will it be for multiple pets?

In general our rates include two pets, but we evaluate each household individually. A household with three dogs that need to be walked separately is very different from a house with one dog and two mice. We find out the number of pets you have as well as their routine and levels of care, and provide you a rate based on your entire household. When we do charge extra, it is generally $2 per pet.

What animals cost more?

We do charge a bit extra for exotic animals that require specific experience, such as horses and parrots. Learn more about what exotic pets we watch. This is because we need to have sitters on staff with a more broad experience level than an average sitter.

Are we bonded and insured?

Should I Tip My Pet Sitter?

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Should I tip my pet sitter? In the US we are taught to tip the waiter, taxi driver, valets and even the mailman at the holidays. But everyone wonders, “Should I tip my pet sitter?”

It is up to you!

Tipping your pet sitter is greatly appreciated, but it is not expected or required. Many of our clients do choose to tip their sitters, but this choice is made on an individual basis. Unlike waiters, our sitters are paid a reasonable wage without tips being included.

When to tip your sitter

Over the years we have seen many methods of tipping from our clients. Here are some ideas:

  • Tip at the end of visits.
  • Tip at the beginning of visits.
  • Tip only at the holidays.
  • Tip on occasions that you feel it is deserved!

Most clients choose not to tip before the first visit, instead of waiting to see how it goes the first time. This is also true when they get a new sitter.

How to tip your sitter

Should you decide to tip your pet sitter, there are a few ways to go about it.

  • We can add a tip to your credit card, before or after your visits.
  • Leave a tip for your sitter on the first visit.

How much to tip your sitter

Again, this is completely up to you. How often you tip will also affect the amount you choose to tip. Remember that any amount is appreciated! For our clients who tip regularly, we most often see a 10-20% tip for the sitter.

However much you choose to tip, that amount will go directly to your sitter. Our sitters never expect to be tipped, but it is nice when it happens!

How do I choose the right pet sitting service?

What Do Pet Sitters Do in a Blizzard?

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Winter storms have been dominating the news. In fact, every state expect for Florida has snow on the ground.  And there is still a lot of time left this winter, which means we could easily see more storms. So, what exactly does your pet sitter do if a blizzard hits?

Of course, if school and businesses are closed and the news is telling people to stay home, then chances are that you are home to take care of your pet.  But what if you’re on vacation?   Pet sitters are like the mailmen of animal care, with a creed not unlike, “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.[1]“

What You Can Do to Prepare for a Blizzard:

    1. Hire a neighbor to shovel your driveway and sidewalks to make it easy to get in and out of your home. If you prefer to spread ice melt, make sure to get the non-toxic pet friendly version.
    2. Have extra leashes/harnesses, or carriers available. If you get snowed in, your pet sitter may need to come get your weather the storm with them. This could be necessary if the power goes out or if the storm will have people snowed in for days.
    3. If you are going to be home, make sure to call and cancel so they don’t need to worry about going over to your home in the storm.
    4. Make sure to have plenty of food, water, litter and other supplies. Have an emergency plan in place just in case everyone gets snowed in and they can’t make it on the scheduled day.
    5. No matter the weather your pet sitter will try their hardest to be there for your pets. However, we do want everyone to be safe.  If you’re worried about your pets in inclement weather, make sure to contact us. We will help set up a plan and your pet care.  And most of all, stay safe and warm this winter!

 

What We Do to Prepare for a Blizzard (as Pet Sitters):

  1. Check weather reports, especially for areas outside of town.
  2. Discuss emergency scenarios with the team. Sitters with 4-wheel drive vehicles and vehicles with higher clearance are on call.
  3. Management plans to provide assistance. Even if the sitter can get out to visits, often the road make driving slow, so occasionally a manager takes a visit to help the sitter get them all done in time.
  4. Occasionally there is a discussion of having a pet stay with a sitter in their home. Typically this is with friendly dogs who would deal well with the stress, and is only done when necessary.
  5. Stock our vehicles with emergency gear.
  6. Contact the client to let them know of the situation and keep them updated throughout.
  7. If it is possible we will not make it to a home, in advance we contact neighbors and emergency contacts and arrange emergency coverage, if needed. We provide them with all of the information needed to watch the home.
  8. Leave out extra food and water, just in case.
  9. Stay in touch with emergency backups to assess the area and keep them apprised if we need help with visits.

We have only had one situation where we could not make it to a home due to weather, and it was actually due to flooding! We had arranged for a neighbor to help and everything turned out great. Having a professional pet sitter means you never have to worry!

Notice the Changes? Introducing Wet Noses Pet Sitting!

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If you’re reading this post, then I’m sure you’ve noticed the major changes we’ve gone through this month. We are super excited to be launching our new website and business name, Wet Noses Pet sitting! If you get our newsletter you may have already known we were cooking up some changes.

First off, thank you to all of our amazing clients who have been with us over the last 6 years! It is because of you that we have moved past just working in one part of Fort Collins to all of Fort Collins and Loveland.  And with growth comes changes, we wanted a name that better represented what we do. That’s why Sidehill Sitters is now Wet Noses Pet Sitting.

So, what has changed?

What’s the same at Wet Noses Pet Sitting?

  • Same great sitters!
  • Same great services!
  • Our social media links are the same

If you have SidehillSitters.com saved in your bookmarks, then you were automatically sent to our new site. Go ahead and bookmark this page to make sure in a few months you will still be able to find us easily.

For our current clients, you will receive new business cards and emergency cards with your holiday card. Again thank you so much for being a part of our community and business. We sincerely appreciate each and every one of you. Also, if you have any questions about our changes, don’t hesitate to let us know or visit our FAQ’S!

Don’t forget to keep up to date with our blog, events, and other great information by signing up for our newsletter!

What Does a Pet Sitter Do?

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You have finally decided that getting a pet sitter is right for you and your pet. But at the same time you are wondering, “what exactly does a pet sitter do?” While we do have one of the most rewarding jobs someone can have, we do much more than love and play with animals all day. There is a lot that goes into professional pet sitting than meets the eye.

Yes, we give TLC including cuddles, walking & playing with pets.

Our primary concern is taking care of your pet’s immediate needs; walking, feeding and giving them love and attention is our first concern. But we also are trained for emergency situations, CPR, plus other important knowledge in case your pet was to fall ill while you are away.

We also do a combination of other helpful tasks for your pet and home.

  • Our sitters are trained to be able to administer any medicine needed
  • We can provide hospice care for older pets
  • Overnight visits
  • When you’re away a pet sitter can give your home a “lived in” feel by leaving lights on or opening/closing blinds
  • Cleaning litter boxes
  • Changing water/food bowls

It’s good to know your home and your pets are being looked after, especially when you’re going away on vacation. You never know what kind of situation can arise while you’re not at home; pipes can burst, HVAC units or power can go out and pets can get stuck in any manner of places. That’s why having a pet sitter is even more beneficial than just a walk, a few belly rubs and fresh food.

Pets who have pet sitters or other pet care services (such as walking) are happier, get more exercise, have less stress and more socialization, plus they have healthier urinary tracts and diets.

Contact us today to find out more! 

 

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Cats

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Is your kitty your Valentine this year? What do you get him or her? Cats generally don’t like chocolate or roses, but these gifts are sure to win your cat’s heart over. Here are some great Valentine’s Day gifts for cats.

Catnip 

Most kitties love catnip! Catnip can be a great Valentine’s Day gift for cats. For a gift sure to please buy or make your kitty a catnip toy. Making a catnip toy at home is easy.

Catnip sock toy:

  1. Start with a children’s or small sock, catnip and a needle and thread
  2. Fill the sock with catnip
  3. Sew the top of the sock closed with the needle and thread
  4. Give the sock to your kitty

Another great catnip gift is fresh catnip. You can find fresh catnip at pet stores or grow it from seeds.

Treats 

Treats are awesome Valentine’s Day gifts for cats. A cool new treat is flaked tuna. These are thin flakes of freeze dried tuna that can be fed as treats or as a topping for food. For some homemade treat ideas, check out our previous blog posts on Valentine’s Day treats for cats.

Collars 

A new collar is a fun Valentine’s Day gift for cats. Many cats will love a collar with hearts on it (and maybe a bell). Be sure to fit the collar correctly to keep your cat safe.

Furniture 

A cat tree is a sure win for Valentine’s Day gifts for cats. For a new cat tree check out your local petstore. For a smaller gift try a new cat bed or scratching post. Want to make a homemade cat bed? Take a small box and decorate it, with lots of hearts using construction paper and child-safe markers. Place a pillow in the box and you have a wonderful DIY cat bed.

Valentine’s Day can be a great holiday to share with your cat. These Valentine’s Day gifts for cats are sure to make your cat’s day.

Is Sidewalk Salt Bad for My Dog?

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Taking your dog for a walk is great and has many health benefits for both of you. Yet, as the temperature drops and ice become more of a threat, homeowners will begin applying sidewalk salt to melt the ice. But is all sidewalk salt bad for your pets? While there are many pet-safe salt options, not all homeowners will use them. So what are the risks of sidewalk salt and how can you keep your pet safe.

Sidewalk ice salt is made of a variety of ingredients such as sodium chloride (table salt), magnesium chloride, or calcium chloride. While sodium chloride is safe for pets many of these other ingredients are not.

Possible risks of sidewalk salt

  1. Sidewalk salt is irritating to dog paws (and human skin).
  2. Sidewalk salt is poisonous when ingested and can cause kidney problems.
  3. Sidewalk salt can irritate the respiratory tract when inhaled.

What can you do to reduce the risk to your dog?

1. Try to avoid walking your dog in areas where unsafe salt may have been used.

Many public places, such as parks, don’t use pet-safe ice melt. Avoiding these areas can help reduce the risk of your pet getting non pet-safe ice melt on their paws.

2. Wipe your dog’s paws right away after each walk; this will prevent your dog from licking the salt off of his paws.

You can either use a damp cloth or a pet-safe wipe of your choice. These Earth Rated wipes also come in unscented.

 

Earth Rated Dog Wipes on Amazon @ $29.99

3. Do not allow your dog to lick water off the ground.

Ground water can contain a variety of things, not to mention remnants of ice melt which is toxic if ingested.

4. Walk your dog is winter booties.

There’s many different brands out there but if you’re looking for a sturdy pair to invest in, RUFFWEAR makes durable boots that are not only designed for the winter but also hiking and outdoors. You can find pet booties online and at most local pet retailers.


RUFFWEAR, Grip Trex Outdoor Dog Boots on Amazon @ $37.50

5. Use pet-safe ice melt.

The best thing you can do to help yourself and other pet parents is to use pet-safe ice melt. Pet-safe ice melt is commonly made out of urea. Here are two brands of pet-safe ice melt you can pick up either online or in store.

 

Safe Paw Ice Melt on Amazon @ $19.91

 

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Pestell Paw Thaw Pet Friendly Ice Melter, Bag, 25 lbs on PetCo @ $24.99

Dangers of Sidewalk Salt Infographic

While sidewalk salt can be a winter risk, it shouldn’t prevent you and your dog from having an awesome walk. Do you have a favorite pet-safe ice melt or other cold weather precautions we should know? Let us know in the comments or @WetNosesPetSitting

Why I Love Being Your Sidehill Sitter

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Being a pet sitter is the best job in the world! I have worked many other jobs in the pet care industry, but working for Sidehill as a pet sitter is my favorite job I have ever had. Here are three reasons I love being your pet sitter and love being a Sidehill sitter.

1. At Sidehill we strive to give the best care to your pet. 

We know that leaving your pets at home can be scary! As a pet parent I feel the same way, but I trust Sidehill 100% to keep my animals happy and safe.I know that all of our sitters do everything we can to keep your animals content. We love to give extra belly rubs, extra play time and sometimes extra treats. Additionally, all of our sitters go thought lots of training, including pet first aid and CPR, to keep your pet safe.

2. We get to form relationships with the pets we take care of.

 Many of our clients at Sidehill book regularly, so we get to develop relationships with pets. One of my favorite experiences as a pet sitter was developing a relationship with a shy dog. I have watched this dog and his brother and sister multiple times. Each time he barked at me and did not want anything to do with me. This went on for a few visits, then slowly he started warming up to me. Finally he wanted to hang out with me, I know soon I will be able to pet him. This experience was very fulfilling and why I know forming relationships with pets is so important.

 

3. We get to make clients feel safe.

Another cool part of my job is forming relationships with my clients. Our clients are really cool people and really care about their pets. Leaving your pet in the care of a stranger is so hard. For this reason, we do client meetings. During a client meeting your sitter gets to learn about your home and pets. The other benefit to client meetings is that you get to put a face to your pet sitter. Knowing who your pet sitter is really helps make our clients feel safer about leaving their pets at home. Additionally, we always offer to text or email our clients each day. This allows the client to check up on their pet and helps them feel safer.

 

Being a pet sitter is a really amazing job. I get to work with awesome pets and learn new things every day. We love getting to work with you and your pets and can’t wait to meet you (or see your pets again)!

 

5 Tips on Feeding and Medicating Pets

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All of our sitters at Sidehill have lots of experience working with animals in various settings. Over the years we have picked up some tips for a variety of pet care topics such as feeding, medicating, walking and playing. This article will focus on feeding and medicating pets.

Feeding

Your Sidehill sitter will always follow the feeding directions you give us, but here are some tips we have picked up over the years.

Wash out food and water bowls at least once a week.

After about a week a slimly layer of germs will build up in your pets water bowl, not only is this gross but it could make your pet sick. If you feed wet food, food bowls can end up with a lot of dried food stuck in them. All this dried food gives bacteria a good place to hide. Washing out food bowls removes these bacteria.

If you feed wet food, add water.

This tip has two positives, the first in cleaning and the other in pet health care. Adding about a tablespoon of water to wet food makes it much easier to clean. The food does not dry our as much so you can simply rinse the bowl rather than having to scrub dried food off. The other positive is that it tricks your pet into drinking some extra water.

Add water to an older pet’s dry food.

Dental disease is very common in pets, particularly older pets. This can cause their teeth to be sore and make it hard to eat dry kibble. By adding about a tablespoon of water and letting it sit you will soften the food and make it easier to eat. Many people find that this makes a huge difference in that amount of dry food their dog will eat.

Medicating

Your Sidehill Sitter is a pro at medicating dogs and cats, here are some tips on how we do it.

Hide the pill.

The easiest way to medicate a dog or cat is to hide the pill. There are a million different ways to hide the pill and what you choose depends of what food your dog or cat likes to eat. Choose a food that your pet loves and will gobble up without a second thought. Many people sneak pills into their dogs food and mix it up with wet food, this works really well for dogs who love their food. What I have found to be the most effective method for dogs is hiding the pill in a teaspoon of peanut butter. Most dogs LOVE peanut butter and its sticky texture will keep the pill from falling it. Be sure the peanut butter you use is dog safe (see our article on Xylitol in a previous blog). Cats can be a littler trickier to trick into eating a pill. Many pet owners have found success using pill pockets or placing the pill in a soft treat. Another good option is mixing the pill in a tiny bit of canned tuna.

Tickle your pet.

This one sounds really odd but it is a good option for pilling dogs and cats. This method involves putting the pill in your pet’s mouth then making your pet swallow it. For dogs and cats who do not run away when you try to pill them, walk over and open your pet’s mouth. Put the pill of the as far back on your pet’s tongue as possible. Close your pet’s mouth and hold it closed. Now for the tickling part; while holding your pet’s head tilted up, stroke his or her throat with your finger. This will cause your pet to swallow, and swallow the pill. Be sure to watch your pet for a minute after to make sure he or she did swallow the pill and did not spit it out. For pets who are prone to running away as soon as they see a pill bottle do the same steps, but start by straddling your pet between your legs.

Hopefully these tips will help make pet care easier for you and leave more time for having fun with your pet. Tips on other pet care topics will be in future blogs.

Do you have any helpful advice for feeding, medicating pets or other pet care tips? Write them on our Facebook page or email them to us! We would love to hear your tips.