If you're travelling and your dog or cat is staying behind, preparation is the difference between a settled pet and a stressed one. This guide covers what to organise before you go, whether your pet stays home with a sitter or boards in a carer's home.
In-Home Sitting vs Boarding
In-home sitting usually suits anxious pets, seniors with mobility issues, and cats. Your pet stays in their own space with a live-in sitter.
Boarding usually suits social dogs who enjoy company and new environments, and owners who prefer their home empty while travelling.
The goal is the same either way: a calm, predictable experience with someone your pet knows.
When to Book
Brisbane's peak periods (Christmas, New Year, Easter, school holidays) fill fast. Book at least six to eight weeks ahead for these. Three to four weeks is usually enough for quieter periods, but experienced sitters still fill quickly.
Which Pets Need Extra Planning
Anxious or Sensitive Pets
Dogs that startle at noise, react to strangers, or struggle when you leave the room need a sitter with experience managing anxiety. In-home care is usually the least stressful option. Share your pet's triggers, calming tools, and training cues with your sitter in advance.
Puppies, Seniors, and Special-Needs Pets
Puppies need toilet training support and short play sessions. Seniors may have medication schedules, arthritis, or vision/hearing changes. Special-needs pets may have chronic illness or behavioural histories. All of these need clear written instructions and enough booked time for the sitter to provide proper care.
Multi-Pet Households
Spell out group dynamics: who gets along, who needs to be separated for feeding or sleeping, whether all pets are staying or some are travelling with you, and whether small pets (fish, birds, rabbits) need daily checks.
Pre-Travel Checklist
Health and Emergency Details
Prepare a one-page reference:
- Vet clinic name, address, phone
- Existing conditions, current medications, dosage times
- Microchip number
- Emergency contact who can make decisions if you're unreachable
Let your vet clinic know someone else may act on your behalf.
Food, Medication, and Supplies
- Enough food for the full stay plus a few extra days
- Labelled containers ("Breakfast: 1/2 cup dry + spoon of wet")
- Medications portioned into labelled doses ("Morning", "Evening")
- Leads, harnesses, collars with ID tags, poo bags, litter, cleaning products
Routines and House Rules
- Wake-up, meal, walk, and bedtime times
- Bed/couch/room access rules
- How you handle behaviours (jumping, barking, begging)
- Non-negotiables: off-lead policy, streets or dogs to avoid
Setting Up Your Home (In-Home Care)
Safe Spaces
Leave their bed in the usual spot. Keep blankets unwashed for familiar scent. Show your sitter where your pet retreats when stressed.
Access and Security
Clarify keys, lockbox, garage remote, alarm systems, camera locations, and parking. Walk your sitter through it during the meet-and-greet.
Preparing for Boarding
Meet-and-Greets and Trials
Before a long booking, meet the sitter, let your pet explore their home on-lead, and ask about house rules and sleeping arrangements. A short trial stay helps, especially for anxious dogs, seniors, and pets with medication needs.
What to Pack
- Usual food and treats
- Their bed or blanket (familiar scent)
- Collar, harness, and any jackets or cooling mats
- Storm or fireworks instructions if noise-sensitive
Updates While You're Away
Before you leave, agree on frequency (daily or twice daily), channel (SMS, WhatsApp), and what to include: photos, eating/toileting notes, any behavioural changes.
When to Call the Vet
Set clear thresholds: repeated vomiting, difficulty standing, breathing changes, collapse, suspected poisoning. Having this written down lets your sitter act quickly.
Coming Home
Expect your pet to be clingier or sleepier at first. Slide back into normal routines over a couple of days. Avoid big changes (renovations, new pets) right away.
If appetite changes, toileting accidents, pacing, or hiding continue beyond a few days, a vet check is a good idea.
FAQ
Is in-home sitting or boarding better for an anxious dog?
Most anxious dogs cope better at home, where their environment and routine stay the same. Boarding can work if the carer is experienced and your dog has had a successful meet-and-greet or trial stay.
What information does my sitter need?
Vet details, emergency contacts, medication instructions, feeding routine, walk preferences, house rules, and known triggers.
My pet has complex medication. Is holiday care still an option?
Yes. Find a sitter experienced with medical or senior pets. Provide written schedules, demonstrate administration, and let your vet know.
Will my pet think I've abandoned them?
Most pets adjust well with a consistent carer and familiar routine. Trial stays and comfort items reduce stress.
What if my travel plans change?
Discuss this before you leave. Make sure there's extra food at home and your sitter knows how to reach you and your emergency contact.