How Sanitary Is Your Pet Sitting Game?

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1. How often do you sanitize your hands when pet sitting? After every interaction, feeding, potty break, and play session—it's part of my routine. I rarely do unless there’s visible mess or odor. A few times throughout the visit, especially before/after meals or handling waste. I remember here and there, but I don’t stress about it.

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2. What do you do when a pet vomits or has an accident? I wipe it up when I can and don’t always mention it unless it seems serious. I clean it up within a few minutes and let the owner know during the next update. I avoid touching it if I can and hope the owner doesn’t mind. I clean and disinfect the area immediately with pet-safe products and notify the owner.

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3. How do you handle litter boxes or poop scooping? I avoid touching it as much as possible and rush through it quickly. Gloves on, bag ready, surfaces sanitized—cleaning is a priority. I scoop or clean regularly, but might skip gloves if I’m in a rush. I clean them when they start to smell or look really dirty.

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4. How do you clean food and water bowls? Clean every couple of days or if I notice buildup. Wash them daily with hot water and pet-safe soap—no excuses. I’ll rinse them occasionally or if the pet parent leaves instructions. I assume pets don’t care much and rarely clean them.

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5. Do you bring your own cleaning supplies when sitting? Only if I know the pet is messy or has accidents often. I bring basic wipes and sanitizer but usually use what’s at the house. Always. I have a kit of disinfectants, gloves, and wipes—just in case. Never. That’s the owner’s responsibility, not mine.

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6. How do you handle shedding or fur buildup during your sit? I’ll do a quick clean-up if it gets excessive. If I notice a lot of fur, I try not to sit on the furniture. I sweep or vacuum daily, and brush the pet if needed to reduce shedding. Not my problem—it’s part of having pets.

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7. How do you maintain cleanliness between visits (especially if visiting multiple pets)? I sanitize my hands and change if I notice fur or smell. I change clothes, sanitize my gear, and wash hands before and after every visit. I go from one home to another with no special cleaning unless something is visible. I try to keep clean, but I might reuse gear between visits.

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8. If a pet licks your face or hands, how do you react? Gently redirect and wash my hands/face right after—it’s about hygiene. I don’t mind but wash up afterward. It’s cute! I only wash up if it gets too slobbery. I don’t really think about washing afterward.

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9. How do you leave a client’s home when the job ends? I clean everything I touched, sweep/vacuum, take out trash, and leave it spotless. I leave things how I found them—even if it’s a little messy. I tidy up, wipe counters, and put things back in place. I try not to leave a mess but don’t do much beyond that.

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10. If a pet parent leaves detailed hygiene instructions, how do you respond? I skim it and only follow what is necessary. I follow every detail to the letter and double-check for clarification. I follow the main points and ask if I’m unsure. I try to follow but don’t worry if I miss a step.

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How Sanitary Is Your Pet Sitting Game?