Records & paperwork6 min read
Dog medication routine handoff template for sitters
Dog medication routines fail when the sitter has to guess. A clear template, demonstrated once in person, prevents missed doses and the small stressors that build up over a stay.
The Driyu team
Pet safety editorial
Quick answer: For each medication: name, strength, dose, route, frequency, timing (with food or not), what helps (peanut butter, pill pocket, hand-feed), what goes wrong, prescribing vet, refills.
The template
- Medication name (as on bottle)
- Strength
- Dose
- Route (pill, liquid, injection, topical, transdermal)
- Frequency
- Timing (with food, before food, bedtime)
- What helps it go down (peanut butter, pill pocket, cheese, hand-feed)
- What goes wrong (spits, refuses, vomits)
- Prescribing vet
- Refill timing
Demonstrate in person
The night before, show the routine. Have the sitter do one round with you watching. Confidence up, mistakes down.
How Driyu fits
Driyu profile holds the medication list. Sitter reads the same brief you do. Shared profile access works for the duration of the stay.
Related reads from Driyu
- Pet medication tracking and reminders
- Starting a new pet medication: how to update records
- The dog walker handoff
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
What if the sitter misses a dose?
For most dog medications, give when remembered if within a few hours. For seizure, insulin, or heart medications, call the vet.
Can a sitter give injections?
Some can. Confirm comfort level for diabetic dogs or other injectable routines.
Should I send extra?
Send 1-2 days extra in case of travel delays.
What about side effects?
List them. “Lethargy is normal for 2 hours; call vet if longer.”
