Your pet’s profile is one of the most important parts of your Hands N Paws account.
This is where you share everything we need to know to care for your pet safely, confidently, and in a way that feels familiar to them 💜
The more detail you provide, the more personalized and seamless your pet’s care will be.
Why This Matters
Every visit is guided by the information in your pet’s profile.
Your sitter will use this to understand:
- Your pet’s routine
- Their personality and preferences
- Any safety or health considerations
- How to make them feel comfortable and cared for
Think of this as your pet’s instruction manual + personality guide.
Pet Profile Fields (What We Ask For)
Your pet’s profile is broken down into a few key sections to help us understand every part of their care—whether you have a dog, cat, or both.
The Identity and Basics sections cover general information like your pet’s name, type, breed, age, and physical details.
After that, you’ll move into the Notes section—this is where all of your pet’s care instructions live, which we’ll walk through below.
Below is a guide to each field, along with examples to help you fill them out clearly and effectively.
Temperament & Personality
Describe your pet’s energy level, comfort with new people, and overall demeanor.
Include:
- Energy level
- Comfort with new people
- Any known triggers or sensitivities
- General personality traits
Example (Dog):
Peyton is a sweet, older dog. She may bark at first but quickly warms up and loves attention and belly rubs.
Example (Cat):
Shy with new people and may hide during visits. Warms up slowly but is gentle once comfortable.
Potty / Litter Routine
Tell us how your pet handles bathroom routines.
Include (Dogs):
- Typical schedule
- Signals (whining, standing by door, etc.)
- Preferred potty location
Include (Cats):
- Litter box location
- Litter type
- Scoop frequency
- Disposal instructions
Example (Dog):
Goes out after meals and will stand by the door or whine when she needs to go. Typically goes immediately once outside.
Example (Cat):
Litter boxes are in the basement. Scoop during each visit and dispose of waste in a plastic bag, then place in outside trash.
Food & Water Routine
Tell us exactly how feeding should be handled.
Include:
- Feeding times
- Portion sizes
- Preparation details
- Food storage location
- Any separation needed between pets
Example (Dog):
Eats breakfast and dinner. Water is always available in the dining room next to the coffee bar.
Example (Cat):
One can of wet food per visit. Dry food is handled by the automatic feeder. Wet food is on the kitchen counter. Feed Phoebe separately if possible.
Treat Guidelines
Let us know what treats are allowed and when to give them.
Include:
- Approved treats
- Any limits
- Storage location
Example:
Treats are in the cabinet above the coffee bar. Please give one before leaving—she expects it and may bark if she doesn’t get one.
Commands & Training Cues
Share any commands or cues your pet responds to.
Include:
- Verbal commands
- Hand signals
- Special phrases
Example:
Knows sit, lay down, and will “fist bump” when you say “go bucks.”
Walking Equipment (Dogs Only)
Describe what gear to use and where it’s located.
Include:
- Collar, harness, leash type
- Storage location
Example:
Uses a standard leash and collar. Leash is hanging on the coat closet door by the front entrance.
Walk Routine (Dogs Only)
Describe how walks typically go.
Include:
- Duration
- Preferred timing
- Pace and energy level
- Behavior on leash
Example:
Enjoys morning or evening walks. Gets very excited around other dogs and may pull and bark—please keep distance and keep her moving.
Favorite Toys & Enrichment
Tell us how your pet likes to play or stay engaged.
Include:
- Favorite toys
- Play style
- Energy level
Example:
Loves all toys. Most are located near the crate in the living room, with a few in the backyard.
Favorite Hiding Spots (If Applicable)
Especially helpful for shy pets or cats.
Include:
- Common hiding locations
- Whether to engage or give space
Example:
Often hides above the furnace in the basement. May also hide in cabinets or drawers. This is normal—no need to force interaction.
Behavioral Tendencies
Let us know about any behaviors we should monitor.
Include:
- Barking, hiding, chewing
- Reactivity
- Escape tendencies
- Anything safety-related
Example:
May get into trash if it’s left out. Otherwise very well-behaved.
Indoor Accident Protocol
If accidents happen, let us know how you’d like us to handle them.
Include:
- Cleanup instructions
- Supplies
- Known triggers (if any)
Example:
No concerns—fully house trained and very reliable.
Additional Notes
Anything else that helps us provide thoughtful, personalized care.
Example:
She loves laying in the sun and prefers quiet environments. Not very playful but enjoys gentle attention.
Typical Visit Flow Overview
Walk us through how a typical visit should go—from arrival to departure.
Include:
- Order of tasks
- Priorities
- Any must-do steps
Example:
Let her out first. If weather is nice, take her for a walk. If not, let her out back and then give her some attention inside. Refresh water, give a treat, and head out.
Winter Walk Guidelines (Dogs Only)
Let us know how your pet handles cold weather.
Include:
- Coat or boot requirements
- Cold tolerance
- Any limitations
Example:
Does not mind the cold and does not require a coat or boots.
Rainy-Day Guidelines (Dogs Only)
Describe how care should be adjusted in wet conditions.
Include:
- Whether to shorten or skip walks
- Indoor alternatives
- Preferences
Example:
If it’s raining, feel free to skip the walk and just let her out back, then spend time inside with her.
Care Preferences & Special Considerations Checklist (Dogs)
At the top of your dog’s profile (within the Identity section), you’ll find a Care Preferences & Special Considerations Checklist.
To access it, click “Show/Hide” to expand the checklist and select any preferences that apply.
This checklist allows you to quickly indicate important care preferences—such as safety considerations, walking style, and weather-related adjustments—without needing to type everything out.
Medical Section (Bottom of Pet Profile)
At the bottom of your pet’s profile, you’ll find the Medical Information section.
This section is especially important for ensuring your pet’s safety and helping our team respond appropriately in any situation.
Vaccination Records
List your pet’s current vaccinations along with the date given and expiration date.
You can:
- Enter individual vaccines directly in the profile
- Upload full records in the Files section if you prefer
Example:
Rabies — given 10/01/2024, expires 10/01/2027
Parasite Prevention Status
Let us know if your pet is current on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
Example:
Yes
or
Indoor cat — prevention not applicable
Medical Conditions
List any diagnoses, injuries, sensitivities, or ongoing conditions.
If there are none, simply write “None.”
Example:
Torn ACLs in both legs. Please monitor for limping and note any changes in journals.
Medication Instructions
If your pet takes medication, please include:
- Medication name
- Dosage
- Timing
- How it should be given
- Where it’s stored
If not applicable, you can write “None.”
Emergency Instructions
Provide any specific guidance for emergency situations.
Include:
- Preferred emergency vet
- Contact order
- Any spending limits or approvals
- Special medical considerations
If you don’t have specific instructions, you can write:
“Standard protocol.”
Veterinarian
You’ll be prompted to select your pet’s veterinarian from the dropdown menu in the Veterinarian section.
This allows us to quickly reference your preferred clinic if care is ever needed.
Files Section
This section is most commonly used to upload helpful visuals related to your pet’s care—like how to attach a tricky harness, where important pet-related items are located in your home, or any other part of the routine that’s easier to show than explain. Think of it as a visual supplement to the written notes in your pet profile.
You can upload photos, videos, or even PDFs (like vet records). If you do upload a visual related to your pet’s care, please make sure to:
- Reference the file in the relevant section of your pet’s profile (e.g., “See harness video in Files”).
- Send a copy to our admin team so we can store it in our internal folder as a backup. Use WeTransfer to upload and send, using support@myhandspaws.com as the recipient address, and be sure to include your name and a quick note about what you’re sending.
Critical Pet Profile Checklist
Curious to know if your profile is filled out properly? Use this checklist to double-check that your pet’s profile is complete, clear, and ready for our team to follow with confidence:
If you have any questions, you can reach out through the Messages feature in the app or browse our Client Support Center for more guides.
Keeping Your Profile Updated
Your pet’s needs can change over time.
We recommend reviewing and updating your pet’s profile regularly—especially if:
- Routines change
- Diet changes
- New medications are introduced
- Behavior shifts
Pro Tips
- Be specific rather than general
- When in doubt, include more detail—not less
- Think through a typical visit from start to finish
- Share anything you’d want someone to know if they were caring for your pet for the first time
