Pack your dog's own food with a measuring scoop, any medications in their original containers, a leash and harness, a blanket or bed that smells like home, and a written care sheet with vet and emergency contact information. The single biggest mistake we see is families packing the fun stuff, toys and treats, while forgetting the practical details a sitter actually needs to keep the routine consistent.

We've unpacked a lot of bags over the years, and the pattern is always the same. Families remember the toys and forget the feeding instructions. Here's the full checklist we hand out to clients before a boarding stay or an extended pet sitting visit, so nothing important gets left behind.

Food and feeding supplies

• Enough of your dog's regular food for the full stay, plus a couple extra days in case travel plans shift
• A measuring scoop or cup, since "a scoop" means something different in every household
• Written feeding instructions: how much, how often, and any mix-ins like water or a supplement
• Any treats used for medication or training, so the routine stays familiar

Switching foods suddenly, even to something nicer, can upset a dog's stomach. Sticking with what they already eat avoids an unnecessary vet visit mid-stay.

Medications

• All medications in their original labeled containers, not a plastic bag of loose pills
• Written instructions on dosage and timing, even if it seems obvious to you
• Any special administration notes, like whether a pill needs to be hidden in food or given on an empty stomach

This is the category we're strictest about. A labeled container with clear instructions removes any guesswork for whoever is caring for your dog.

Leash, harness, and collar

• Your dog's own leash and harness, already fitted and familiar
• A backup leash if you have one, in case of a broken clip or lost leash
• ID tags with current contact information, double-checked before drop-off

A dog in an unfamiliar environment is more likely to test boundaries or slip out of a poorly fitted harness, so this isn't a place to improvise with a spare from the sitter's supply closet.

Comfort items from home

• A blanket, bed, or towel that smells like your house
• One or two favorite toys, not the whole toy box
• A shirt or item of clothing with your scent on it, if your dog tends to get anxious away from home

Familiar smells do a lot of quiet work in helping a dog settle into a new space faster.

Emergency and contact information

• Your vet's name, phone number, and address
• A backup emergency contact who can make decisions if you're unreachable
• Any allergies, past injuries, or medical conditions worth flagging
• Pet insurance information if you have it

Behavior notes worth sharing

• How your dog does around other dogs, kids, and strangers
• Any triggers or fears, thunderstorms, vacuum cleaners, specific noises
• House training habits and how often your dog typically needs a bathroom break
• Anything that's worked well in the past for calming your dog down if they get stressed

None of this needs to be a formal document. A handwritten note or a quick text covers it. What matters is that the information reaches whoever is actually caring for your dog that day.

A quick pre-drop-off checklist

• [ ] Food and measuring scoop
• [ ] Medications in original containers with instructions
• [ ] Leash, harness, and ID tags
• [ ] Bed, blanket, or towel from home
• [ ] One or two favorite toys
• [ ] Vet and emergency contact information
• [ ] Behavior notes

Why this matters more than people expect

A dog who's away from home is already dealing with a lot of unfamiliar stuff. The more their food, scent, and routine stay consistent, the smoother the whole stay goes, both for your dog and for whoever is caring for them. We're fully insured and bonded and CPR and First Aid Certified, and every one of these details helps us do right by your dog while you're away.

Ready to book? Call (908) 340-0078 or visit pupsandrecreation.com for a free meet-and-greet.

Pups and Recreation is a family-owned dog walking and pet sitting business headquartered in Wharton, NJ. Serving Morris County since 2022.