Hello, it’s me again!
I wanted to share my approach to house sitting and how I treat the wonderful sitters who take care of my pet family while I’m away. I know that some homeowners may view sitters as simply hired help, but I believe in treating them as new friends.
While I understand that every host has their own way of doing things, I want to share how I personally create a welcoming environment for my sitters. First and foremost, I ensure that there’s always space in the fridge, on the counter, and in the spare room for them. I like to go a bit further by stocking up on essentials like eggs, cheese, fruits, veggies, and juice. Occasionally, I might leave a small cash tip (usually around $50-$80) or a $25 gift card as a token of appreciation. I’m not wealthy, but I believe in acknowledging the effort they put in.
I always make sure my house is clean before they arrive, and I’ve only had to cancel once. In that case, I offered them a spare room or even a hotel stay—nothing fancy, just a comfortable place to rest.
So far, I’ve been fortunate not to have any bad experiences with sitters. My philosophy is simple: treat others how you’d like to be treated. I tend to connect best with sitters who are kind or a bit quirky, just like me. I like to check in occasionally to see how they’re doing, but I don’t bombard them with messages—just a friendly “how’s everything going?” can go a long way.
When it comes to my pets, my main priority is their well-being. I appreciate a clean home, but I’m not expecting professional cleaning standards. I’m pretty laid-back; it would take a lot for me to be upset with a sitter. I completely understand that sometimes things get overlooked, like leaving a few dishes or forgetting to take out the trash. As long as my pets are happy and there are no damages, I’m good.
I also believe in setting clear boundaries. I ask sitters not to use personal items, host parties, and to communicate openly if anything goes wrong—no matter how awkward it might feel. For example, if they accidentally break a plate or a plant, I’d much rather hear about it right away than have them worry about repercussions. Accidents happen!
I’ve had great experiences and love having repeat sitters whenever they’re available. And if they’re not, I encourage them to feel comfortable reaching out again later—just because they weren’t available the first time doesn’t mean they won’t be next time.
This doesn’t mean you need to go above and beyond, but don’t be a bossy Nancy who only sees sitters as nothing but workers. I would also like to mention that sitters should be very respectful of the homeowner’s place. That being said, if you communicate with your sitters or ask them if they know anything about, say, two missing plants, and they don’t respond or leave you a bad review thinking you were going to do that, I think you’re amazing for communicating, and their response is immature. I wouldn’t have them again. Don’t be afraid to reach out or talk to the sitter! It can clear up many misunderstandings, even if it feels uncomfortable.
And hey, you guys are probably tired of me posting all the time with all these positive posts, but I won’t stop! If I could, I’d make a trophy for the best house sitters out there—maybe even a little golden dog! 
