Things You Never Need to Apologize for (According to Your Pet Sitter)

I think I speak for all pet sitters when I say: We call ourselves “Animal People” for a reason. We mean it. You know the type. People who plan their days around walks, meals, and cuddle sessions. The ones whose homes have more pet beds than human chairs. The people who leave the TV on because “their dog likes the noise,” or queue up a “calming cat” playlist before running errands.

These are my people.

But here’s the funny thing, other Animal People are the ones who apologize to me the most.

“Sorry, the house is messy.”
”Sorry, we’re obsessed with our pets.”
”Sorry about all the toys.”

Let me stop you there. These are things you never need to apologize for.

Being Messy

Every time I enter a house, I can almost guarantee that I will hear some iteration of “Sorry it’s such a mess…” Here’s the truth: this is your home. I expect it to look like someone actually lives there. In fact, that’s the whole point.

When I’m pet sitting, I’m there to keep your animals in their environment and their routine. That includes the sights, smells, and yes, the level of chaos they’re used to. As long as I can find the food, toys, leashes, and the pets themselves are happy and healthy, I do not care if there’s fur on the couch or a half-folded pile of laundry.

Your home doesn’t need to be spotless. It just needs to feel like home.

Loving “Too Much”

Another big one, “Sorry we’re obsessed with our pets.” Good. Please be as obsessed with them as possible. Hang the matching stockings, celebrate the gotcha days, make them their own spot on the couch. You’re not being “too much”, you’re being the kind of person your pets deserve.

Honestly, I’d be more worried if you weren’t a little obsessed. Love is the best enrichment there is.

Leaving Detailed Care Notes

“Sorry, I wrote a short novel.” Great! Some clients leave a page of notes. Others hand me a three-ring binder with tabs, color-coded sections, and a laminated feeding chart. Guess what? I love both. Detailed notes don’t make you high-maintenance. They mean you’re prepared. They help me give your pets the same care and comfort they get from you. And the clearer your system, the smoother everything goes.

You can call it “extra.” I call it thoughtful.

Bottom Line

Pet sitters don’t expect perfection. We expect real life. Your home doesn’t have to be spotless. Your pets don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to downplay how much you love them.

The next time you start to apologize for your “mess”, your “obsession”, or your “extra”… don’t. This is exactly what we signed up for. We’re here for pets AND the people who love them.