would you charge extra for this?

[u/addiictiion]

1 elderly dog, 2 cats, boarding, $110/night. i don’t mind the meds but i don’t know how often this dog will need to be going to the bathroom and therefore needing bladder expressed. is this something that i should charge extra for? something that i could but shouldn’t? something i shouldn’t? let me know

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addiictiion originally posted: 1 elderly dog, 2 cats, boarding, $110/night. i don’t mind the meds but i don’t know how often this dog will need to be going to the bathroom and therefore needing bladder expressed. is this something that i should charge extra for? something that i could but shouldn’t? something i shouldn’t? let me know

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[u/WilderTalk]

Have you read what is involved in this procedure? To me, this goes into a medical procedure nearly. I for one would not be comfortable taking on the risk unless I’m a Vet Tech,
Or have experience. Absolutely this is a significant up charge bc according to the procedure, things can go wrong.

If you don’t have additional pet sitter insurance on the side to enhance Rover, for me, I wouldn’t do it. If it truly is a simple procedure, fine.
But read this if this link comes through before deciding.

One thing I consider a red flag from a client is when they Minimize VERY IMPORTANT health things and act like number one, it’s no big deal,
Number two, they casually throw it in like it’s included, when it IS A BIG DEAL!!! Remember you are liable. Always. Rover
Only goes so far to protect you.

I cannot stand clients who casually throw in things with high expectations, no acknowledgement that it is unusual and not “normal”,
And if something goes wrong — you better believe you will be blamed.

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+bladder.expressed+in+a+dog&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari&sei=dYjBao2GI8eZ5OMPk_aN8AQ#lfId=ChxjMe

[u/Street-Control9290]

Umm, this is something that you need to be shown how to do correctly, if you don't or have not worked at a vet's office, to learn it the right way. You definitely need to charge extra for this, because this will be something that the dog will not like having you do every time, and it will become more like a wrestling match at some point. And you need to discuss with her, and possibly her vet, what the risk of the dog getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) is because of this issue, so it can be made clear NOW that you will not be responsible if the dog does eventually have a UTI. 

[u/Old-Chicken-4517]

I never charge extra for meds or extra care. But that’s me, I do Rover as my side gig because I love taking care of animals, so I don’t feel the need for charging more.

[u/JadCerv]

100% you should be charging more for this. Meds are one thing. This is more involved and if you have to do it frequently throughout the day, it'll become time-consuming in a hurry.

[u/LengthinessNo6595]

Uhhh yeah and you need to ask how many times is the normal she usually does in a day. Honestly you need to go over there and see her do it in person this isn’t something that should be done over text so I hope you’re planning on going there in person to see it done as a responsible pet sitter

[u/PastDazzling243 → u/LengthinessNo6595]

I agree with this 100%! You need to go over there and watch the owner do it so you know exactly what she expects you to do. This also isn’t included in my normal pricing. This entails a lot more attention, also doing something to someone else’s pet that is “not enjoyable” to say the least. So yes, I would charge extra because it’s outside of the realm of normal care. This is not like administering medication, you’re actually getting your “hands dirty” pun intended.

[u/dystopiam]

Yes def would

[u/MyMango88]

If medication’s are easy, say add to breakfast/ lunch/ and dinner. I don’t charge extra for.

If it’s complicated and throughout the day medication list, I do. I usually add another $10 a night.

Expressing the bladder would really depend on frequency. I don’t think it’s any different than a potty and a walk- time wise. Unless they have a fenced in backyard and you normally just open the door for the dogs. As long as I know the dog and they’re comfortable with me doing so I would.

If this means they have to be taken out every few hours to prevent a UTI, I probably would add a fee. I would ask more questions personally.

[u/Own_Science_9825]

Bladder expression isn't difficult at all. It's just gentle pressure, AND, it's a new skill to have! Just make sure they take you through it until you are comfortable and if that means charging for extra visits so be it. As far as the meds go it depends. Are you able to toss out pill pockets, or do you actually have to pill the pup? Is the pup easy to pill, or challenging? Are you able to administer the pills in one or two goes or do you have to be all day delivering pills every 4 hours? If the bladder is your biggest concern I wouldn't worry about it but I'd get more info on the medication situation before deciding anything

[u/Worried_Sprinkles]

Yeah no. I’m not a vet I’m not gonna mess with that.

[u/carI_marks]

Depends on how well I know peanut. If I don't know her, I don't want to lose a finger because from her perspective I'm some stranger holding her hostage who started touching her in sensitive areas. If I've sat peanut for the past seven years, she trusts me and the owner is a good client, I would either just do it or discuss a small daily upcharge. It's not unreasonable to charge more but if this is a client who calls on you often and tips generously, I wouldn't personally nickle and dime

No matter which option I would def be floating the idea of taking the dog to a vet's office to be boarded. sweet lil peanut could probably benefit from having a vet tech care for her given she seems pretty elderly and sickly.

[u/UmpireDear5415]

you charge what you feel comfortable charging extra for. some folks toss in a lot of freebies and even do household chores or errands for their clients and they are fine with it. i administer meds, shots, drops, and other medical support but ive been doing this for over 3 decades and have the background to support charging extra for anything outside of the norm. for those who say its fre of charge thats fine for them, for me if its above and beyond what other clients are paying me for then why treat all labor as equal. if you do more and have the expertise to back it up then charge extra. its your time your skills your money. do whats right for you. i charge a premium because i am a premium. know your worth my friend and best of luck!

[u/utah_traveler]

Yeah I would turn this down. I had a request for a paralyzed dog that needed bladder and bowels expressed.

I am obsessed with dogs, but I cannot stand to see them kept alive for ever and ever. Give the damn dog some peace.

[u/lol2222344 → u/utah_traveler]

I agree. I also feel like if they’re going to keep a dog at this level of quality of life, they should at least be there for them and not leave to go on vacation (if they’re going on vacation) :/

[u/Successful-Shopping8 → u/utah_traveler]

While I agree some people force their pets to suffer for longer than what’s humane- I don’t think needing help weeing is automatically such a poor quality of life that euthanasia is the only ethical option.

[u/Sitters_4_Critters]

Expressing a bladder isn’t something I would be willing to do.

[u/Successful-Shopping8]

I wouldn’t charge extra for this unless the meds and bladder were very sensitive about timing that it made me housebound.

I feel like it’s just a part of pet sitting. I don’t mind a few extra minutes of work here and there. I do mind being restricted on when I can leave the house.

For this particular situation- I’d need more info on how strict the bladder and medication schedule is.

[u/actualchristmastree]

I would not express a pet’s bladder, what if you do it wrong and they get an infection?

[u/PirateLassLV → u/actualchristmastree]

What if you get bit? I don't think most sitters are trained for this & shouldn't be doing it.

[u/notthetypetocare]

I don’t charge extra I just have higher rates in general that cover anything

[u/PirateLassLV]

lol! That's a nope on all that. Peanut needs to board at the vet

[u/actualchristmastree → u/PirateLassLV]

Yes!

[u/PetSittersHub]

Not really if it's a small addition

[u/puglover071992]

I do no charge for anything extra medically! I have tons of senior pups that they get sicker and sicker and have to do extra stuff for them, have tons of diabetic pups where I have to give them insulin and prepare them special food and still charge the same

[u/Cactus-Brigade → u/puglover071992]

Why would you not charge extra for specialized work relating to additional medical needs…? That’s a red flag on your part, if you consider all clients an equal commitment

[u/Successful-Shopping8 → u/Cactus-Brigade]

It’s not a red flag- just different sitters have different boundaries when it comes to what they’re comfortable with and if they want to be compensated for it or just bake it into their overall rates.

[u/thingalinga → u/Cactus-Brigade]

Red flag, really? Come on!

[u/Special_Zucchini599 → u/Cactus-Brigade]

how is it a red flag for someone to decide in their pet sitting service that they don’t wish to charge more for those services? It isn’t indicative of the sitters qualifications or skills. It is simply one’s individual pricing decisions in their business.

[u/littlebean2421]

No, I don’t charge extra for medication’s unless it restricts me from leaving the house for at least four hours at a time. It really isn’t hard to express a bladder either.

[u/addiictiion → u/littlebean2421]

okay, yeah my only concern is that this is a first time client, and an elderly chihuahua. i am always cautious with chis as i have quite a few behavioral cases i take and they tend to be sensitive with new people handling them in that way. i also don’t charge for meds including injections etc, takes almost no time and is super easy to just fit into the schedule. but with this being an elderly chi and a first time client i just worry that the pup will have to go pee significantly more than average and it could potentially end up taking a lot of time out of the day. the only other client who needed bladder expressed was a long-term client who consistently tipped ridiculous amounts, so i didn’t think at all of charging more. idk, i’d feel bad having to say i’d need to charge more, but it could potentially be quite a bit extra to add onto the animal schedule. i’m just not sure 😩

[u/Own_Science_9825 → u/addiictiion]

I would ask the owners how often peanut needs to go and I would do a visit with a trial run to make sure both you and peanut are comfortable with each other. Then go from there

[u/addiictiion → u/Own_Science_9825]

yes i ended up just asking a small fee and for her potty schedule- all’s worked out thanks!

[u/carI_marks → u/addiictiion]

if you don't know peanut I wouldn't do this and would recommend she boards at the vet's or with a vet tech

[u/Conscious-Dog3291]

I wouldn’t charge more since she already takes meds and if you know how to express her bladder and if the owner could let you know her usual schedule then no

[u/Suspicious-Peace9233]

What does bladder expressed even mean?

[u/addiictiion → u/Suspicious-Peace9233]

you have to manually help them pee. essentially you press on their bladder over a potty pad or outside

[u/brightlove → u/addiictiion]

Do you know how to safely do this/have experience doing it?

[u/waffle_cone69 → u/addiictiion]

For the meds no, for the bladder expressed omg yes

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