Choosing the Right Sitter
How to Choose the Right Exotic Pet Sitter: 5 Must-Ask Questions
Finding a sitter for a dog or cat is fairly straightforward. But for exotic pets—think parrots, geckos, guinea pigs, or turtles—choosing the right caregiver can be a make-or-break decision. These animals have highly specific needs, and not every pet sitter is prepared to meet them.
So how do you find a sitter who understands the difference between a heat lamp and a UVB bulb—or who knows that parrots need mental stimulation, not just fresh seed? At Critter Care Pros, we’ve helped hundreds of pet owners ask the right questions and avoid costly mistakes. Here are five essential questions to guide your search for the right exotic pet sitter.
1. What Types of Exotic Pets Do You Have Experience With?
Not all exotics are alike. A sitter who’s great with snakes might be completely unfamiliar with caring for fish or rodents. Ask for specifics—not just “I’ve worked with reptiles,” but which reptiles, how often, and in what context. You want someone with hands-on experience caring for animals similar to yours.
2. Are You Trained in Habitat Maintenance and Species-Specific Care?
Many exotics rely on precise environmental conditions to stay healthy. Can your sitter clean a reptile enclosure without disrupting its temperature gradient? Do they know how to spot signs of distress in birds or what a healthy fish tank should look like? Ask about their familiarity with lighting, humidity, dietary routines, and behavioral cues.
3. Can You Administer Medications or Special Diets?
Some exotic pets require calcium supplements, live feeding, syringe feeding, or topical treatments. If your animal has special health needs, be sure your sitter can manage those tasks safely and confidently.
4. Are You Insured and Background-Checked?
This is non-negotiable. You’re trusting someone with not just your animal, but access to your home. Look for sitters who are part of a vetted, insured network—or who can provide proof of individual coverage and references.
At Critter Care Pros, all caregivers are background-checked, insured, and trained in species-appropriate care protocols. Peace of mind matters.
5. Do You Offer In-Home Visits, Boarding, or Both?
Some animals do best at home in familiar surroundings; others thrive with hands-on attention at a boarding facility. Make sure your sitter offers the right type of care for your pet’s species, temperament, and needs—and that you feel good about the environment they’ll be in.
Looking for a Trusted Sitter Near Gainesville?
Critter Care Pros offers professional, species-specific care for birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and small mammals across Alachua County. We offer in-home visits and boarding, all delivered by trained, insured caregivers who love what they do.