Mobile Pet Care

When owners are away for several days, mobile pet care within a house-sitting visit keeps small and exotic companions on stable routines while preventing habitat issues that can escalate fast. A professional sitter starts with a written care plan (diet, meds, heating/lighting schedules, emergency contacts) and daily check-ins matched to species needs, plus photo updates for peace of mind.

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Birds (parrots, cockatiels, finches): Daily fresh seed/pellet mix and produce; refresh water bowls, change cage liners, and spot-clean perches. Maintain light cycles and social time (talking, target sticks) to reduce screaming and feather stress; rotate toys for enrichment. Watch droppings, appetite, and feather condition; avoid aerosol cleaners.

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Rabbits: Twice-daily feeding of unlimited hay, measured pellets, and leafy greens; constant access to clean water. Scoop litter boxes daily, refresh hay racks, and inspect for GI slowdown (reduced poops, lethargy). Provide safe exercise in a bunny-proofed room; check nails, hocks, and dewlap for irritation.

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Hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice/rats: Adhere to strict portion timing and vitamin C needs for guinea pigs; refresh water bottles and spot-clean bedding daily, with a scheduled deeper clean every few days to avoid stress from full substrate changes. Offer chew items and tunnels; monitor weight/teeth growth and respiration.

Ferrets: Twice-daily feeding and water refresh; litter scoops after each visit; wipe hammocks if soiled. Ferret-proof free-play (block gaps, recliners, cords); check ears/teeth and watch for insulinoma signs (weakness, drooling) if medically noted in the plan.

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Reptiles—snakes, lizards, turtles/tortoises: Reliability is critical: confirm heat and UVB are on via thermostats/timers and record temps/humidity each visit. Feed live/frozen-thawed or salads per schedule (never leave live prey unattended); mist or soak as directed; spot-clean waste to maintain hygiene. Observe sheds and shell/skin condition; hands should be sanitized between species to prevent cross-contamination.

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Fish (freshwater/saltwater): Use pre-measured feed—underfeeding is safer than overfeeding while owners are away. Top off evaporated water with conditioned or RO/DI water; check filters, heaters, and lights; remove visible debris with a small net. No major water changes unless trained and authorized.

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Turtles/aquatic setups: Confirm basking lights and heaters, feed approved pellets/greens or protein per schedule, and skim waste; watch for cloudy water or off-smells that signal urgent maintenance.

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Specialized/medical care: Administer oral meds or topical treatments as prescribed; log doses with time and behavior notes. For critical species (fragile birds, neonate rodents, reptiles recovering from a shed or illness), schedule two visits per day to protect temperature, hydration, and feeding windows.

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Safety & sanitation: Sitters use species-safe cleaners, wash hands and tools between habitats, and keep doors/windows secure. A closing checklist verifies food and supplements stocked, timers working, and habitats locked. With attentive daily routines plus species-appropriate enrichment, mobile house-sitting keeps birds, small mammals, reptiles, and fish healthy—and homes tidy—until you’re back.