Anxious & Special-Needs Pet Care
Familiar care at home for pets who need extra support
Care for Pets Who Need a Little Extra
Some pets adapt easily to change. Others need more time, consistency and reassurance.
Your dog might pace when you leave, struggle with storms or react to other dogs. Your cat may be older, need medication at set times or feel safer around familiar people and surroundings.
For many anxious, senior and special-needs pets, staying at home is more comfortable than moving into a busy boarding environment. They keep their usual bed, smells, walking routes and daily routine, with care shaped around what helps them feel secure.
We pay attention, give them space when they need it and adjust to the animal in front of us.
How We Can Help
Anxious Dogs
Our Constant Care tier is suited to dogs with separation anxiety, noise sensitivities or reactivity. It includes extended company, a familiar routine and walks planned around your dog's usual routes and triggers.
Explore In-Home Sitting →Senior Pets
Patient care for older dogs and cats, including medication, mobility support and shorter or slower walks. Your pet can remain at home, where everything is familiar and their routine can stay largely unchanged.
Read Our Senior Care Guide →Special-Needs Pets
Care for pets with medical conditions, detailed routines or additional support needs. Depending on the sitter's experience and your pet's requirements, this may include oral medication, insulin injections or care during recovery from an illness or procedure.
Talk To Us →Could Your Pet Benefit From Extra Support?
In-home or Constant Care may be a good fit if your pet:
- Paces, whines or becomes destructive when left alone
- Is frightened by storms, fireworks or other loud noises
- Reacts to other dogs, unfamiliar people or busy environments
- Needs medication, injections or meals at set times
- Has arthritis, reduced mobility or age-related frailty
- Is recovering from an illness or procedure
- Has previously struggled in kennels or boarding facilities
If any of these sound familiar, tell us what has been happening and we can help you decide which level of care fits. See how our services work.
How a First Booking Works
- We meet at your home. You'll be there, and your pet can approach us in their own time. We'll observe how they respond, talk through their needs and decide whether the arrangement feels right for everyone. If we do not think we are the right fit, we'll tell you.
- We learn their routine. We'll record the details that matter: meals, medication, sleeping habits, walks, triggers, vet information and what you would like us to do if anything changes.
- We arrange a trial if needed. Some pets need more than one introduction. A short visit or trial overnight gives them time to become familiar with their sitter before the booking.
- We keep the handover calm. A relaxed, low-key departure can make the transition easier. We'll talk you through the handover beforehand so everyone knows what to expect.
- We send useful updates. You'll receive photos and updates about how your pet is doing, including whether they have eaten, settled, slept and coped with anything unusual. With our Constant Care tier, we'll update you several times throughout the day.
- We tell you if something is wrong. If we have any concerns, we'll contact you promptly and explain what has happened, what we have done and what we recommend next.
"After 5 years with the same sitter, we had to find someone new, as our whippet, Bert, was no longer managing well in group environments. The 1:1 care is perfect for our two dogs, especially as they get older and prefer all the attention. Bert normally sleeps in his crate and Peppa on our bed, but Bert was so comfy with Ash he slept on the bed and Peppa took the crate!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you care for a dog with separation anxiety?
Yes. Our Constant Care tier is intended for dogs who cannot comfortably be left alone for ordinary periods. Your dog stays at home, follows their usual routine and has a sitter present for the amount of time agreed before the booking.
We'll ask about their behaviour, triggers and current management plan so we can decide whether we can meet their needs safely.
Can you give medication to senior or special-needs pets?
Yes, where the sitter has the relevant experience and the care can be given safely at home. This may include oral medication, insulin injections and other established routine care.
You'll need to provide clear written instructions, the medication in its original packaging and current veterinary contact details.
Why might in-home care suit an anxious pet?
Boarding can be difficult for pets who are sensitive to unfamiliar places, noise, disrupted routines or other animals. At home, your pet keeps their own bed, familiar smells and usual daily rhythm.
In-home care will not remove every source of anxiety, but it avoids many of the changes that can make an already nervous pet more unsettled.
Can you look after a reactive dog?
Often, yes. We'll need an honest account of your dog's triggers, warning signs, previous incidents and the way you currently manage them.
We use familiar equipment, choose appropriate walking times and routes, and follow the management plan agreed with you. We will not test new training methods while you are away.
A bite history does not automatically rule out a booking, but it must be disclosed so we can assess safety and suitability.
How do you introduce a sitter to an anxious pet?
We begin with a meet-and-greet at your home while you are there. Your pet is not pressured to approach or interact.
If they need more time, we may recommend another short visit or a trial overnight. This means the sitter is already familiar before the main booking begins.
What if my pet does not settle?
We'll let you know and follow the plan agreed before the booking. This may involve changing the routine, reducing stimulation or contacting you or your nominated emergency person.
If we realise during the introduction or trial that the match is not right, we'll be honest about it. Depending on availability, we may suggest another sitter or a different type of care.
Do you care for anxious cats?
Yes. Many nervous cats are more comfortable remaining at home. We follow their feeding and medication routines, care for their litter trays and respect the places where they feel safe.
We do not force shy cats to interact or pull them out of hiding for an update. We let them approach when they are ready.
Want to learn more? Read our guides to dog separation anxiety, how in-home pet sitting can help and what owners of anxious dogs should know.
Let's Talk About Your Pet
Tell us what your pet needs and we will tell you honestly how we can help
Enquire Now