Pet care while you travel: options and a handover checklist
Whether it is a family wedding, a work trip or a long-awaited holiday, travelling with pets at home brings one big question: who will look after them? Dogs and cats thrive on routine, and a good arrangement keeps that routine as normal as possible while you are away. Here are your options and a checklist to make the handover smooth.
Your main options
Home visits. Someone visits once or twice a day to feed, walk, play and check on your pet. This suits cats especially, and calm adult dogs who are fine alone for a few hours. Your pet stays in familiar surroundings, which reduces stress.
A sitter who stays over. Best for dogs who dislike being alone, puppies, older pets with medical needs or homes with several animals. It costs more but gives the closest thing to normal life.
Boarding. Your pet stays at a boarding facility. Good facilities offer supervision around the clock, but the change of environment and other animals can stress some pets. Visit beforehand and check hygiene, space, vaccination requirements and how often dogs are walked.
Family or friends. Free and familiar, but make sure they genuinely have time — especially for dogs who need two or three walks a day.
For short trips or busy workdays, Nesttr's Pet Care & Walking service lets you book a verified helper by the hour for walks and check-ins.
Before you leave
- Vaccinations: make sure rabies and other core vaccinations are up to date, especially if your pet will meet other animals. Boarding facilities usually ask for the vaccination card.
- Trial run: arrange one visit or walk with the new caregiver while you are still at home, so your pet meets them and you can show the routine.
- Supplies: stock enough food, litter, treats and medicines for the whole trip plus a few extra days in case your return is delayed.
- ID tag and microchip: check that your pet's collar tag has your current phone number.
The handover checklist
Write this down and leave it on the fridge, as well as sharing it on the phone:
- Feeding: what, how much and when. Mention foods that are strictly off-limits — chocolate, grapes, onions and cooked bones are dangerous for dogs.
- Walks: times, duration, usual route, and behaviour around other dogs, cows, traffic and street dogs.
- Medicines: name, dose, timing and how to give it (hidden in food, by syringe, and so on).
- Habits and quirks: hiding places, fears (thunder, firecrackers, pressure cookers), favourite toys.
- House rules: sofas allowed or not, where the pet sleeps, which doors must stay closed.
- Vet details: your regular vet's number and address, plus the nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic.
- Emergency contact: a local friend or relative who can make decisions if you are unreachable.
- Spare keys and access: instructions for the society gate, guards and lift.
Staying in touch
Agree on how often you would like updates — a short message and photo after each visit is common and reassuring. Avoid calling too often during walks; let the caregiver focus on your pet.
Special cases
Senior pets may need more frequent, shorter walks, help with stairs, and closer monitoring of appetite and water intake. Puppies need frequent toilet breaks and should not be left alone for long. Anxious pets benefit from a familiar blanket or an item of your clothing.
Festival season
During Diwali and wedding season, firecrackers can terrify pets. If you are away at this time, ask your caregiver to keep curtains closed, play soft music or the TV, keep doors and windows secure, and never take a frightened dog out during peak firecracker hours. Escapes are most common during loud celebrations.
When you return
Expect your pet to be extra clingy or a little off-routine for a day or two. Thank your caregiver, pay promptly and leave an honest rating so other pet owners can find reliable help. If you are planning a house move as well, our moving house checklist includes tips for keeping pets calm on moving day.
With the right caregiver and a clear handover, you can enjoy your trip knowing your pet is safe, fed and loved.
Common questions
Is boarding or home visits better for my dog?
Calm adult dogs often do well with home visits, while puppies, anxious dogs and dogs who hate being alone usually do better with a sitter who stays over or a well-run boarding facility.
How many visits a day does a cat need?
Most healthy adult cats manage well with one or two visits a day for food, fresh water, litter cleaning and some play.
What information should I leave for the pet sitter?
Feeding amounts, walk routines, medicines, fears and quirks, house rules, your vet and the nearest emergency vet, an emergency contact, and gate or lift access instructions.
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