Recommended Visit Lengths

At PAWsome Companions, we tailor every visit to meet the unique needs of your household. While this ensures the best experience for your furry friends, we understand that choosing the right appointment type can sometimes feel overwhelming. Don’t worry! Our simple guidelines are designed to match you with the perfect schedule, making sure you get the ideal pet sitting support you deserve.

Our Considerations for Every Pet

When planning pet sitting visits, we take several key factors into account to create the best possible schedule:

For diabetic pets requiring insulin, we adhere to a strict 12-hour schedule to ensure their health.
Think about your dog’s usual routine—how long are they accustomed to being home alone?
Do you work remotely, or are you often away from home? This can impact the care schedule.
Track how often your dog goes outside in a day. Many pet owners tend to underestimate this, so monitoring for a few days can provide accurate insights. If your dog needs a lot of exercise, we recommend scheduling more frequent or active visits.
Consider your pet's sleeping habits. If your dog prefers sleeping near you or waits for you at night, overnight stays might be ideal. On the other hand, if they’re independent and return in the morning, regular visits may suffice.
If you prefer consistent human presence at home, our Extended Overnight services might be the perfect fit for you.

Time to Personalize!

We understand the importance of crafting a personalized schedule that ensures your pets feel comfortable and cared for while you're away. Every home is unique, and many households often have multiple pets with varying needs.

Once you have a general idea of your pet care needs, we can meet to finalize the details together:

Do you have additional pets that require feeding, medication, or other care? We ensure enough time is allocated during each visit to meet all needs—whether it’s feeding, fresh water, walks, or cuddles (if your pets enjoy affection).
Cleaning food and water bowls, as well as tidying up pet messes or toys, is always part of our service.
If you’re a plant enthusiast, we can also water your plants during regular visits. For lush gardens, we’ll include extra time as needed to tend to them properly.
We can handle additional household tasks such as collecting the mail, bringing in newspapers, adjusting lights, or managing trash and recycling schedules.
Would you like updates after each visit? While many clients find this reassuring, keep in mind that crafting updates takes about 5+ minutes, which slightly reduces time spent directly with your pets.
Complex pet care routines often require more time than owners realize—our sitters ensure every detail of your routine is followed with care and attention.
We prioritize quality time with your pets, allowing our sitters to complete all duties without feeling rushed, so your pets receive the care and love they deserve.

Is an Overnight Stay Right for You?

Deciding whether an overnight stay is necessary depends on your pet's specific needs and routine. Here are two key factors to help you determine if it's the right choice:

Late Night or Early Morning Care: Does your pet require attention, such as a potty break or medication, during late-night or early-morning hours? Our regular visits are scheduled between 5:30 AM and 11 PM. If your pet needs care outside of these times, an overnight stay is highly recommended.
Sleeping Arrangements: Does your pet usually sleep with you in bed? If so, the absence of a person overnight might cause stress or discomfort for your pet. Opting for an overnight stay can help maintain their routine and keep them at ease.

How Many Visits Does My Pet Need Each Day?

We are dedicated to crafting a personalized care schedule that ensures your pet’s happiness, comfort, and overall well-being. Taking into account your daily routine and their unique needs, here’s what we generally recommend to keep your beloved companions thriving and content:

For Dogs: Typically, we suggest 3–4 visits per day, or 1–2 visits per day, or even an overnight stay, depending on your dog’s energy levels, activity needs, and specific care requirements.
For Cats: A minimum of 1 visit per day is recommended, with 1–2 visits per day being ideal for cats who need medication, specialized care, or extra attention to stay happy and healthy.
For Small Critters: Similar to our feline friends, small critters also need at least 1 visit per day to ensure they're well-fed, safe, and receiving the care they require.

While our minimum care policy requires two 30-minute visits per day for dogs and one 20- or 30-minute visit daily for cats, we firmly believe that pets flourish with more frequent and meaningful interactions. Puppies under one year of age, for instance, require at least 3 30- to 45-minute visits per day due to their potty training needs and frequent urination habits. Our ultimate goal is to ensure their well-being and happiness, as their joy is always our top priority!

How Long Should My Visits Be?

When deciding how long each visit should be, it’s essential to consider your pet’s specific needs. Our most popular option is the 30-minute visit, but we also offer other durations to accommodate a variety of situations.

20-minute visits: Ideal for shy cats that prefer minimal interaction or as a quick potty break for dogs. These are especially useful for late-night visits or the final stop of the day.
30-minute visits: The standard visit length, perfect for feeding (depending on the complexity of meal prep), a 5-10 minute dog walk, and some quality attention and playtime.
40-minute and 1-hour visits: Great for pets requiring extra care, longer walks, or more involved feeding routines. These visits allow for a more thorough and personalized experience.

We often recommend mixing and matching visit lengths based on your pet’s routine—for instance, scheduling a 30-minute breakfast and dinner visit, paired with a 20-minute late-night check-in.

What’s Next?

If you have questions or would like to discuss the best schedule for your pet, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re happy to help you create a plan tailored to your furry friend’s needs. Give us a call to chat about our services, or if you’re ready, head to our scheduling page and book your appointment today.

To ensure your pets remain happy, healthy, and safe while you’re away, we recommend a minimum number of pet sitting or dog walking visits. These guidelines are designed to meet the basic needs of most pets, but we’re always available to customize schedules with additional visits for extra love and attention! If your pet requires medication, rest assured—our team is highly skilled in administering pills, injections, and fluids. Pets with time-sensitive medication schedules are prioritized in our bookings, and unlike many other pet sitters in Los Angeles and Ventura County, we don’t charge extra for this specialized care.

Even if your pet doesn’t require medication, maintaining their regular schedule is key to reducing stress and keeping them comfortable in your absence. Consistency helps your furry friends feel secure and happy.

These recommendations are for healthy, well-adjusted pets without separation anxiety. If your pet has special needs or you’d like to offer them extra pampering, we also provide overnight stays. Many pet owners find peace of mind knowing someone is staying overnight to care for their beloved companions and home.

Visit Minimums

For dogs without a doggie door or potty pads, we require a minimum of 3 visits per day to ensure they can go potty comfortably and without any unnecessary delays. We prioritize the health, comfort, and overall well-being of animals and fully understand the importance of regular bathroom breaks to prevent any potential discomfort, distress, or health issues that could arise due to infrequent visits.
If your dogs are crated during visits, we mandate a minimum of 3 daily visits to uphold our standard of care and ensure their comfort, but we strongly recommend 4 visits. This reinforces our commitment to emphasizing the value and necessity of allowing dogs to relieve themselves multiple times throughout the day, ensuring they remain happy, healthy, and stress-free in their environment.
Cats require visits every day to maintain our standard of care and ensure their ongoing health and happiness. We guarantee your feline friend’s well-being by making sure they are healthy, well-fed, properly hydrated, have a consistently clean litter box, and receive the attention, care, and companionship they both need and truly deserve on a daily basis.

What Pet Sitting Visits Are Best for My Active Dog?

Worried about keeping your energetic dog happy while you're away? High-energy dogs thrive on plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to maintain their physical health and emotional well-being. Creating a personalized pet care plan, specifically tailored to meet their needs, is essential for their happiness and your peace of mind while you’re away, ensuring both of you can feel at ease during your time apart.

If you're considering a pet sitter for the first time, the numerous options available can feel overwhelming. That’s exactly where we come in! We’ll collaborate with you to design a customized schedule that aligns with your dog’s daily habits, ensuring they’re cared for meticulously while you’re gone. With our services, you can relax knowing your active pup is in loving and experienced hands, receiving the attention they deserve.

Below are three tried-and-tested schedules that we’ve crafted specifically for high-energy dogs. Each option is fully customizable to suit your pet’s unique preferences and requirements, and we’re more than happy to adjust the plan as needed during your trip to ensure everything runs smoothly!

Active Dog Option #1

This schedule is an excellent choice for dogs who thrive on companionship during the evening hours.

12-Hour Extended Overnight Stay

Your sitter will arrive around 7 PM to take your dog for an active walk or engaging play session, followed by feeding and some calming relaxation time. Before bedtime, your pup will receive one last outing—a comforting walk or potty break—to help them wind down for the night. You’ll also receive a reassuring update and a photo, so you can feel confident knowing your dog has company. In the morning, your sitter will take your dog out again for another walk or play session before serving breakfast.

This option is ideal for dogs accustomed to having someone at home during the evening hours. In addition to physical exercise, the presence of a sitter provides enriching mental engagement, helping active dogs feel secure, entertained, and content overall.

1-Hour Mid-Day Visit

This midday visit ensures your dog gets to enjoy a refreshing walk or playtime during their usual active period, keeping them physically stimulated and happy. With this plan, your dog is left alone for no more than 6-7 hours at a time, helping them stay engaged and balanced throughout the day.

Active Dog Option #2

Perfectly suited for dogs who enjoy multiple walks and play sessions scattered throughout the day but don’t necessarily require overnight companionship.

40-Minute Breakfast Visit

Your sitter will arrive in the morning to kick off the day with an invigorating walk and breakfast. If your dog prefers playtime to a walk, no problem—both options can be arranged! To add extra engagement, the sitter can leave fun, interactive toys to keep your dog entertained during the day.

30-Minute Lunch Visit

During this midday visit, your dog will get another walk or a focused play session, keeping them active and fulfilled during the busiest part of the day. With this schedule, your dog is only left alone for approximately 4-5 hours between visits. And just like before, you’ll receive an update and a photo, so you can feel reassured knowing your pup is happy and well cared for!

40-Minute Early Evening Visit

In the evening, your sitter will take your dog out for another walk and serve their dinner. For added security and peace of mind, they can also turn on lights to create the appearance that someone is home, which can help keep your dog’s environment feeling normal and secure while maintaining their daily routine.

20-Minute Late Night Visit

This final visit caps off the day with one last outing—a walk, play session, or some cuddles—based on your dog’s preferences and personality. The sitter will ensure your pup is settled in comfortably for the night, leaving them happy and ready for a restful, peaceful sleep.

Active Dog Option #3

This plan is a wonderful match for dogs who need to burn off excess energy with a long, stimulating midday walk or adventure during their most active time of the day.

30-Minute Breakfast Visit

Your sitter will begin the day with a lively morning walk and breakfast, providing your dog with the opportunity to expend some energy early on and settle in more calmly for the rest of the day. If your dog enjoys background noise, the sitter can play soothing music, contributing to a comforting atmosphere while you’re away.

1-Hour Late Afternoon Visit

This extended visit offers ample time for a long walk or a trip to your dog’s favorite park or nearby trail. Activities like exploring new surroundings or squirrel watching provide both physical and mental stimulation. Before leaving, the sitter can also turn on lights and the radio to help your dog feel at home, creating a familiar and secure environment.

20-Minute Late Night Visit

This final visit helps your dog settle down for the night. Whether they enjoy a quick walk, some fun playtime, or quiet snuggles, the sitter will customize the visit to meet your pup’s preferences. They’ll also ensure the home is set up just as you would for bedtime, maintaining a sense of consistency in your dog’s routine for ultimate comfort.

Additional Tips for Active Dogs

Energetic dogs require plenty of stimulation to keep boredom at bay while you’re away. Here are some practical and fun ideas to keep them entertained and happy:

Use food-dispensing toys like Buster Cubes at mealtimes to combine nourishment with engaging activity.
Rotate your dog’s toys daily to keep things fresh and exciting. Need inspiration? Check out these DIY toy ideas for creative and affordable options.
Stuff Kongs with their favorite treats (find out how here) to keep them happily occupied for extended periods.
Turn on the radio or TV to provide soothing background noise and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Teach your dog new tricks or commands to stimulate their mind while having fun together.
Take different walking routes to expose your pup to new scents, sights, and experiences for added enrichment.