Is Your Pet Sitting Profile Sending the Wrong Message? Avoid These Red Flags
Owners are always on high alert for warning signs—so it's crucial your profile doesn't send the wrong message. Whether you're a seasoned sitter or just starting out, dodging these red flags can be the key to building trust and filling up your calendar.
Here’s a breakdown of common profile pitfalls—and exactly how to steer clear of them.
1. Outdated or Exaggerated Profile Info
🚩 Red Flag: Unclear, exaggerated, or outdated information in your profile.
Why It’s a Problem: Pet parents notice when something doesn’t add up. Claiming 20 years of pet care experience at age 30 can make people doubt your credibility. Using vague or unclear statements can also raise questions. Mentioning you’re doing this “on the side” or “just for extra cash” can also make it sound like you're not fully committed.
What to Avoid:
- Inflating your pet care experience
- Writing vague, generic descriptions
- Making your pet sitting profile sound like an afterthought
What Owners Want: Honest, specific details that highlight your genuine commitment to pet care. Show them why you’re a dedicated, reliable Pawshake pet sitter.
2. Confusing or Outdated Rates
🚩 Red Flag: Rates that are too low, too high, or outdated.
Why It’s a Problem: Pet owners are wary of inconsistent pricing. Super low rates can trigger concerns about service quality. Sky-high prices without explanation? Another instant red flag.
What to Avoid:
- Random pricing without considering local averages
- Forgetting to update seasonal rates
- Overlooking your cancellation policy
What Owners Want: Transparent, fair rates that reflect your experience. A clearly stated cancellation policy reassures owners you’re a responsible pet sitter.
3. An Inaccurate Calendar
🚩 Red Flag: Leaving your calendar empty, outdated, or inaccurate.
Why It’s a Problem: Nothing frustrates pet owners more than finding a promising pet sitter, only to learn you’re unavailable. An unreliable calendar signals disorganisation and lack of care.
What to Avoid:
- Forgetting to block out unavailable dates
- Leaving your calendar open but declining bookings
- Ignoring handy features like ‘Away Mode’ or ‘One Client at a Time’
What Owners Want: Keep your calendar accurate and up to date. Show pet parents that you're organised and dependable.
4. A Low-Effort Profile Picture
🚩 Red Flag: Selfies, filters, group shots, or unclear profile photos.
Why It’s a Problem: Your profile picture is often a pet owner’s first impression. A blurry, dark, or overly casual photo sends the wrong signal.
What to Avoid:
- Blurry or low-quality images
- Distracting group photos or cluttered backgrounds
- Filters, stickers, or novelty shots
What Owners Want: A clear, friendly, professional photo of you alone—someone a pet parent would trust to care for their fur family.
5. An Empty or Messy Gallery
🚩 Red Flag: Bare/Full galleries, irrelevant images, or low-effort photos.
Why It’s a Problem: Your photo gallery is a chance to showcase your experience and environment. A lack of photos—or poor-quality ones—suggests you don’t take the role seriously. Too many can be interpreted as a lack of care.
What to Avoid:
- Low-quality, dark, or unrelated photos
- Forgetting to include your home setup (especially for home boarding)
- Too many caption-less or similar photos
What Owners Want: Bright, clear shots of you with pets, plus inviting photos of your pet-friendly home setup if applicable. Pet parents want to visualise where their pets will stay!
6. Vague or Generic Profile Descriptions
🚩 Red Flag: Short, cliché-filled bios lacking real detail.
Why It’s a Problem: A generic pet sitting profile makes you blend into the crowd—or worse, seem like you’re hiding something. Pet parents want to feel your dedication and professionalism.
What to Avoid:
- Overused lines like "I love animals!" with no specifics
- Omitting details about your daily routine, qualifications, or experience
- Failing to clearly list which services you offer
What Owners Want: Thoughtful, detailed descriptions that showcase who you are, what services you provide, and how you care for pets.
7. Few or Unaddressed Reviews
🚩 Red Flag: A lack of reviews, negative reviews, or poor responses to feedback.
Why It’s a Problem: Reviews are a powerful trust signal. No reviews make you an unknown quantity, and negative reviews left unaddressed will stand out as a major red flag. Responding defensively should also be avoided.
What to Avoid:
- Ignoring negative reviews (Pawshake Support can help with professional replies!)
- Failing to follow up with happy clients to request reviews
- Defensive or dismissive review responses
What Owners Want: A healthy stream of positive reviews, plus thoughtful, respectful responses to any criticism. It shows accountability, transparency, and a real care for improvement.
Bonus Red Flags:
🚩 Ignoring messages—slow replies suggest unreliability
🚩 Inactivity—not logging in regularly gives the impression you’re unavailable
🚩 No recent updates—stale profiles can appear abandoned
Every part of your pet sitting profile influences how pet owners perceive you. Avoiding these common red flags isn’t just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about raising your profile quality, showing your professionalism, and standing out as a trustworthy Pawshake pet sitter.
By knowing exactly what to avoid and keeping your profile polished, you’ll show pet parents that their pets will be safe, happy, and cared for in your hands.
