A Pet Sitter’s Feeding Handover: Make Every Meal Easy to Repeat
PARTNER Editorial TeamA good feeding handover lets a sitter repeat the routine without interpreting phrases such as “a little water” or “the usual scoop.” Write down the exact food, amount, preparation, meal times and what to do if the pet eats less than expected. Then rehearse one meal together.
VCA's advice for care while you are away emphasizes planning and access to veterinary help. Its medical boarding instruction form illustrates useful details such as brand and variety, amount, frequency and last feeding. The worksheet below is our practical home-care version, not a medical protocol.
One pet, one set of instructions
On a small screen, swipe the table to see all columns.
| Field | What to write |
|---|---|
| Pet and food | Pet name, species, full recipe name and package location |
| Portion | Exact amount and unit per meal; identify the measuring tool |
| Preparation | Whether served dry or prepared; exact label directions |
| Timing | Meal times and last meal confirmed before handover |
| Extras | Allowed treats and amounts, or clearly state none |
| Observation | What was offered, eaten and left; changes to report |
| Contacts | Owner, backup contact, veterinarian and emergency clinic |
Keep separate sheets for animals with different diets. Include where each eats and how access to another animal's food is prevented. Do not rely on the sitter recognizing similar bags by color alone.
Demonstrate the actual portion
Use the normal scale or measuring tool in front of the sitter. Show what a finished serving looks like, where clean equipment is kept and how food remnants are handled according to the product instructions. A demonstration can reveal ambiguity that a written list misses.
For a PARTNER meal, identify the exact cat recipe or dog recipe. Their product pages provide written ingredients and serving directions. They do not replace the individual portion you have agreed for your pet.
Raw food can carry harmful bacteria. Discuss household suitability with your veterinarian and share the FDA's raw-food guidance with anyone handling it. Do not assume that a sitter familiar with kibble already understands this routine.
Plan for uncertainty
Write who to call if food runs out, a meal is refused or a medicine instruction is unclear. Medication and missed-dose directions must come from the veterinarian. Ask the clinic in advance about treatment authorization while you are away.
Have the sitter record what was actually eaten rather than marking a meal complete when a bowl is put down. Ask them to contact the designated person promptly about changes, with emergency care taking priority over waiting for a reply.
Before leaving, update the sheet and remove conflicting old copies from the feeding area. Our portion-measurement guide can help make the units clear. A reliable handover should be easy for another person to follow on an ordinary busy morning.
Published by PARTNER Editorial Team for general education. Your veterinary team can advise on your pet’s individual health and feeding needs.