Why do Pets get Sick While You’re on Vacation?
I am amazed by the number of cats and dogs that are brought to my office by pet sitters. Sometimes the pet sitters are professionals. In other instances, friends or family members of vacationers volunteered to watch the cat or dog for free. Either way, I can tell that the pet sitter is worried it is his fault that the pet is at the vet.
As well, on some days half of my clients tell me stories similar to this one: “Fluffy was fine before we left for vacation. My friend Jim watched her, and Jim says that he didn’t notice anything wrong while we were away. But since we’ve returned Fluffy hasn’t eaten anything and she’s thrown up ten times.”
What’s going on here? Are pet sitters generally inept? Why do so many pets get sick when their families are out of town?
In my experience, most pet sitters take their jobs (whether paid or not) very seriously. And most of them are exceptionally diligent. After all, nobody wants their best friend’s cat to get sick while they are taking care of it.
But there is no escaping the fact that a disproportionate number of veterinary visits occur when the pet’s family is, or has just been, away. And I believe I know why.
One thing that makes pets so great is that they unabashedly love the people they live with. However, when those people are away the absence causes stress. That stress can dramatically exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions–conditions that may have been present, undetected, for months before the family vacation.
Therefore, seemingly healthy pets may become sick when their loved ones are away.
Does this mean that you are not entitled to a vacation if you have a pet? Absolutely not! But there are some precautions you can take.
And finally, try not to blame the pet sitter if things unexpectedly go wrong. Most of them are doing the best that they can.
You have questions. 
As a pet sitter, may I add a suggestion to your list? I refuse to do fewer than three visits a day for dogs. Even if the dog has access to the outdoors to potty, how many dogs do you know who are accustomed to spending 23 hours a day (most pet sitting visits average about a half an hour) by themselves? So, don’t try to economize your vacation by shorting your dog’s visits! I’m always happy to bump clients up to 4 visits a day. Most professional pet sitters offer discounts when you “buy” three or more visits a day. Second, make sure that your dog is very comfortable with your sitter. Most professional pet sitters are happy to do some play time or walks with your dog while you are still at home. Yes, you will have to pay them for their time but this way your dog has lots of fun, positive associations with the person who is going to be caring for him/her while you are away. Lastly, stress is a huge factor in my opinion! You can help decrease stress on your pet in your absence by increasing his/her exercise and also by keeping him/her busy while alone using food puzzle toys like Kongs, Molecule Balls, etc. which should be introduced to the pet as far in advance of your planned absence as possible. I have been pet sitting off and on for the last sixteen years and I can honestly say that I have never had a veterinary emergency with any of the animals in my care. I did have to rush a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to the vet in the middle of the night because of bloat when I worked at a boarding kennel and I have had plenty of medical issues to deal with with the animals in my charge (subcutaneous fluids, allergy shots, making sure that flighted parrots all get their antibiotics, etc.) but by following the above guidelines and also with I am sure more than my fair share of luck, I have never had an emergency with an animal I was pet sitting for.
My dogs sense when we are packing for a trip. They usally dont eat very well while we are gone They are sure glad to get back to there home usally sleep for a week. It has to be hard on a dog being in a strange surrounding for few days. I heard that some towns are getting people to come to there houses while you are gone leaving the pets at there home.
As a pet sitter myself I agree with the vet. Just love the pet you are sitting with like he/she is your own. Be careful about things around your house that the pet might eat, make sure he/she goes out and gets plenty of exercise. You can also leave he/she home and have your petsitter , like myself, stay at your home.