Pet Health Records for a Dog Sitter: What to Share

A dog sitter needs the details that matter in a hurry: your vet's number, medication instructions, allergies, microchip information and what to do if something goes wrong. A long message thread is easy to miss, especially when the sitter is caring for more than one animal.

Make the record useful, not exhaustive

Start with the information a sitter may need on the first day. Include the pet's name, age, weight, food routine, allergies, current medication and the signs that mean they should call you. Add your regular vet, nearest emergency clinic and an alternate contact who can make decisions if you are unreachable.

PawKeep is a private pet health records app for iPhone that keeps these details together. It is designed for the practical handoff between an owner, sitter, boarding service or vet—not as a replacement for professional advice.

Include instructions that are easy to follow

Medication instructions should say what the medicine is, the dose, the time and whether it is given with food. If a tablet can be hidden in a treat, write that down. If a dose is missed, tell the sitter who to contact rather than asking them to guess.

Food notes should be equally direct. Mention the normal portion, feeding times, treats to avoid and whether the dog must be separated from another pet while eating. Small details prevent a surprising number of stressful calls.

Add a short emergency summary

Put the most important information at the top rather than burying it in a full history. A useful emergency summary includes:

• allergies and serious past reactions;
• current medication;
• the vet and emergency clinic;
• your preferred contact method;
• permission and payment instructions for urgent care.

Confirm these details before every longer trip. Numbers and medication plans can change, and an old record can create false confidence.

Share only what the sitter needs

Pet health information is personal, and a sitter does not need every note ever recorded. Give them a current, focused record and tell them how to reach you if a detail is missing. If the app supports private access or sharing, check the settings before handing over the phone or sending a link.

The goal is a calm handoff. A good record helps the sitter act confidently while keeping the owner in the loop when a professional decision is required.