Kat's Corner: Why Honesty Keeps Your Pet Safe and Happy

Let’s talk about something serious—and surprisingly common—in the world of pet sitting: when pet parents aren’t honest about their pet’s behavior.

Look, I get it. You love your pet. You don’t want anyone to think badly of them—or of you. Maybe your dog has snapped at a stranger. Maybe your cat turns into a mini tornado at the vet. Maybe your sweet bunny bites when she’s stressed. You might feel embarrassed. You might think, “It’s no big deal; that only happens sometimes.” Or, worse, “If I tell them, they might say no to watching my pet.”

But here’s the truth: hiding those behaviors doesn’t protect your pet—it puts them at risk.

As a professional pet sitter and animal caregiver, I want nothing more than to give your pet the best experience possible. That means making sure your pet is safe, comfortable, and set up for success. But I can’t do that if I don’t have all the information.

Surprise aggression, severe separation anxiety, leash reactivity, or medical quirks aren’t just "little things"—they’re deal-breakers if I find out the hard way.

Here’s why honesty matters:

1. Safety first—for your pet and everyone else.

If I don’t know your dog is reactive on leash, I might walk them past another dog. If I don’t know your cat lashes out when touched on the back, I might pet them there while administering medication. These things can lead to bites, scratches, fear responses, or even emergency vet visits. Not fun for anyone, especially your pet.

2. The right setup equals success.

If you tell me about your pet’s challenges, I can make a plan. That might mean shorter visits, slow introductions, different handling methods, or bringing in extra help. I want to tailor care to your pet’s unique personality. But I can’t do that if I’m in the dark.

3. Judgment-free zone.

This is a big one: I am not here to judge you. Pets are quirky. They have past traumas, odd triggers, and bad days—just like humans. You won’t shock me, I promise. What does make my job harder is when I’m blindsided by something that could’ve been prevented.

Being a responsible pet owner means being honest—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Whether your dog has bitten in the past, your cat hates strangers, or your parrot swears like a sailor, tell your sitter upfront. It shows you care. It shows you want your pet to have the best possible care, with a team that’s prepared, not reactive.

So next time you fill out a pet profile or speak with a pet care provider, take a deep breath—and tell the whole truth.

Your pet deserves it.

Your sitter needs it.

And together, we’ll build a plan that works.