I've been pet sitting for a while now and the bar is shockingly low. Here's what I think every pet sitter should do as a bare minimum:

1. Send photo updates every day. If someone is watching your dog and you don't get a single photo, that's a red flag. You should know your pet is happy, not just alive.

2. Follow the actual routine. Your pet has a schedule — feeding times, walk routes, bedtime. A good sitter learns it and sticks to it. Pets stress out when their routine changes.

3. Check the house, not just the pet. If you're also house sitting, that means mail, plants, thermostat, checking for leaks. The whole deal.

4. Have an emergency plan. Your sitter should have your vet's number, know the nearest emergency animal hospital, and have a plan if something goes wrong.

5. Actually spend time with the animal. This isn't a check-in-and-leave situation. Pets need companionship, especially when their owner is gone.

If your current sitter doesn't do all five, it might be time for an upgrade. That's literally what I built Sit & Stay Co. around — actually caring.