Have any pet-sitters run into this?

[Sonoma]

I've never done any specific pet-sitting contracts, though it would probably be a good idea. I'm to the point now that I only do it for 2 families on any type of regular basis. If I were to take a job for someone else, then I would have a contract drawn up w/ set rates.

So far the no contract thing has only bitten me once, and I never was available when they'd call after that. It wasn't convenient to home, and it was a challenge in getting there as much as the wanted me there, plus I had to wait over a month to get paid.

The jobs that I've kept on are for dogs, cats, & horses, so I get a little extra $$ for all the labor involved with the horses. (But I get some benefits too, namely sweet horses to visit, along with riding priveliges).

[MystyGlyttyr]

I can pill a cat single-handedly.

I've lost count of scars, though.

Also, it helps that I'm not a guy and we'll leave it at that.

[LewisLegion]

Really? It's that hard to pill a cat?

I've had nine and I guess I've been very lucky. Every one of them I could pill, give liquid meds to, clean out ears, brush teeth, and clip nails...without nary a hiss.

Huh...

[JLRodgers]

Really? It's that hard to pill a cat?

I've had nine and I guess I've been very lucky. Every one of them I could pill, give liquid meds to, clean out ears, brush teeth, and clip nails...without nary a hiss.

Huh...

I think, at least for some, it depends on how the cat was raised/etc. Like with mine, those that live in my room (they like it there) pretty much take the pills without problems (at least if it's disguised in a "treat"). And will take them fairly well otherwise - but even I prefer the treat way, why pry open a mouth when they'll eat it and thank you for the special thing?

Cat in room is more like a "friend" the others are more like "I am their servant". Friends are ok to give stuff to -- servants need to know their place.

[Primer]

To everybody who has now, or ever will have kittens: handle them! Often! The more you handle them when they are small, the easier they will be to work with when they are older!

[Fufu487]

And I thought my cockatiel was a pain to give medication to. But he's small enough I can hold on to him, even though he can be fairly vicious. My dog on the other hand....wrap said pill in peanut butter and she doesn't even know it's there. She also thinks her heartworm preventative is a tastey treat.

Oh man..... I have a cockatiel aswell, and I could not even IMAGINE trying to pill Kiwi. Can I ask what you needed to pill the cockatiel for?? And how on eartch you managed to get it down his throat??

[Dreamstalker]

The more you handle them when they are small, the easier they will be to work with when they are older!

We've owned McGriff (or he's owned us--it got hard to tell after awhile) pretty much since he was weaned. That's most likely why we've never had a problem giving him any meds.

He growls at the vet, but it's just show--everyone knows he's too much of a sweetie to actually attack anyone.

[jedimaster91]

Oh man..... I have a cockatiel aswell, and I could not even IMAGINE trying to pill Kiwi. Can I ask what you needed to pill the cockatiel for?? And how on eartch you managed to get it down his throat??

Oh, it wasn't a pill. It was a liquid antifungal. It was not easy. Having a third hand would have helped as it is quite difficult to hold a squirmy bird (who is of course trying to take chunks out of me) and get the syringe in his mouth long enough to squirt the meds in.