Pet Diets, Prescriptions, Supplements

  Posted on May 14, 2025  by Professional Pet Dog Sitter  No comments

What are your policies for special diets, veterinary medical prescriptions, or supplement administration?

Due to the increased number of special care clients and intense specialty needs involving dietary needs, health supplements as well as veterinary prescriptions, we have specific safety protocols in place.

With more and more complicated needs, safety measures for proper administration and delivery of custom diets (raw or cooked foods), as well as delivery of correct dosages of both prescription medications and supplements, is essential.

Although intake procedures and notes cover this aspect, changes and other updates become more important.

Past sitter experiences include discovering food that has gone bad upon arrival for service, as well as findings that commercially prepared food had thawed and been refrozen–either before or after purchase.

In cross checking dosages and other instructions, mistakes and omissions within notes left onsite for reference have also been identified.

In order to reduce these types of issues, all special dietary preparations (cooking, portioning) medicinal and/or supplemental dosages need to be prepared in advance by owners.

Ideally each serving/dosage(s) will be put into clearly marked containers (pill boxes, etc.,) with the original veterinary (or supplement) containers in the pet cupboard for cross reference and/or verification.

Enzymes, probiotics, etc., should be included in those containers. Many come in pre-measured packets or capsules.

If not, the correct measuring aid should be inside the container or clearly marked and placed with it.

Best practices also include keeping all the items together for dispensing both food and any additives (medicines, supplements, etc.,).

When a discrepancy is identified, it is important that your response to an outreach by your sitter be timely, which is why multiple numbers of family members as well as a veterinary release form are put on file during intakes.

Also, be sure to inform your veterinary medical care provider(s) that we are authorized to discuss a pet’s veterinary medical care or needs since most will NOT discuss the animal’s care or medications unless prior authorization and arrangements are given.

Therefore, it is essential for you to inform your veterinarian so that he/she is aware of this authorization any time you are traveling and not in town.

Since your pet’s care and safety are very important, your understanding and cooperation on this very important health and safety practice is of upmost importance.