There is no universal number. For many short sits, a first-day check-in and one daily photo or message is enough. For medication, anxious pets, long trips or a worried first-time owner, a more frequent plan may be sensible. The important part is agreeing it before the owner leaves.
Choose a simple rhythm
- Short routine sit: arrival confirmation plus a daily update.
- Medication or recovery: updates at the agreed care points, including any concern immediately.
- Long sit: a regular summary with a few photos, plus a clear rule for urgent contact.
- Owner travelling across time zones: agree the best message window and a backup contact.
What makes an update useful
A useful update says the pet ate, exercised, rested or took medication as expected, and includes a natural photo when possible. It should also say early if something is different. Hiding a concern to avoid worrying someone is never the right strategy.
Write the plan into the handover notes. It helps the sitter understand what reassurance looks like for this household and lets the owner actually switch off while away.
