Just like elderly people, senior pets have different needs and temperaments from younger pets.
- Their joints may be a little stiffer
- Their teeth and gums may need softer food
- They may have toilet accidents more often and need more clean-up
- Their nutritional needs change
- Their hearing or eyesight may be poorer
- They may not tolerate loud noises and young children like they used to
- They may not tolerate other pets like they used to
For pet owners
Use the advanced search filter on the Search page to find sitters with the skills you need, such as injections, oral medication or vet nurse experience. Choose a sitter who shows they've researched senior pet care, not just the closest one. If your pet doesn't cope with noise or other animals, ask for a solo booking and consider paying a little more for it. If your pet is losing bladder or bowel control, avoid sitters with carpet, and tell your sitter about any ailments so they can decide whether they can care for your pet.
For pet sitters
At the meet and greet, show the owner you've researched senior pet care and how you'll adapt your home. Ask whether a solo booking is needed; you can charge a little more to give up other bookings. Ask the owner what they'd like you to do if their pet passes away. Usually this means phoning the nearest vet to ask if they can take the pet, then calmly telling the owner.