Going on Vacation? Don't Forget These 10 Things for Your Dog

Booked the sitter and packed the case, then remembered the dog's medication is still in the fridge. Ten things to tick off before you leave Deerfield Beach.

By Mary E., Rover pet sitter in Deerfield Beach, FL · Updated 2 Oct 2026 · 3 min read

Most holiday mistakes with dogs are small and avoidable: a forgotten medication, an unlabelled food container, a vet number that is out of date. None of them ruin the trip, and all of them are annoying to fix from 2,000 miles away.

Mary E., a Rover pet sitter in Deerfield Beach, has boarded dogs for 10 years. This is the checklist she sends owners about a week before they travel.

Quick answers

When should I book a dog sitter for a holiday?

As early as you can, and at least two to three weeks ahead for a first booking. Peak holiday weeks fill up quickly, so for school holidays and December, book a month or more out.

What should I leave with the sitter?

Food for the stay plus one extra day, medication, the lead and harness, a familiar blanket or toy, a worn t-shirt, and a written routine with vet and emergency details.

Do I need a backup contact?

Yes. Give the sitter a second number for someone who can make decisions if you cannot be reached, and tell that person they are listed.

Should I leave my dog's insurance details?

If your dog is insured, leave the policy number and the insurer's emergency line. It makes a vet visit much simpler.

What if my trip is extended?

Tell the sitter immediately and ask whether the extra nights are available. Do not simply return late: the booking, the food supply and the sitter's calendar all depend on the dates agreed.

The ten things

Sitter booked and confirmed. Dates, drop-off time and pick-up time in writing.
Meet and greet done. Your dog has met the sitter and seen the space at least once.
Routine written down. One page: feed times, walk times, medication, bedtime.
Food packed and labelled. The whole stay plus one extra day, with the amount per meal on the lid.
Medication packed. Original packaging, dose and times written out, plus what to do if a dose is missed.
Bags packed. Lead, harness, collar with a tag, bed or blanket, one familiar toy, an unwashed t-shirt of yours.
Vet and emergency details ready. Vet name, phone, your authorisation limit, and a backup contact who knows they are listed.
Home and access sorted. For drop-in visits: keys, alarm code, where the food is, and what to do with bins and post.
Contacts shared. Your number, a backup number, and the flight or travel details if you will be unreachable.
Handover done calmly. Instructions passed over, goodbye kept short, and one photo requested for the first evening.

Ten days before

Confirm the booking and the times.
Check the food supply is enough for the whole stay plus a day.
Refill any medication so you are not counting tablets on the last morning.
Tell the sitter about anything new: a new medication, a new habit, a recent vet visit.

The day before

Pack the dog bag and the instructions sheet together.
Walk and feed your dog normally.
Save the sitter's contact where you can find it without wifi.
Double check the medication is in the bag and not the fridge.

The day you leave

Keep the goodbye short and cheerful.
Hand over the bag and the sheet, not a verbal summary at the door.
Ask for one photo that evening.

While you are away

Answer the sitter's messages, even briefly. If the sitter asks whether your dog has ever done a particular thing before, that is a question, not a complaint, and a fast answer usually resolves it. Then enjoy the trip: your dog is with someone who is home all day and knows the routine.

Need a Deerfield Beach pet sitter?

Mary E. boards dogs in her home in Deerfield Beach, takes doggy day care, and does drop-in visits for cats. She has 10 years of experience, a 5.0 rating across 34 Rover reviews and 8 repeat clients. New Rover customers get $20 off through her link.

Check Mary's dates on Rover

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