The short answer
Book as early as you can, because holidays fill up fast. Expect public holiday surcharges on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Leave your sitter clear notes on food, heat and fireworks, and keep festive food well out of reach.
When to book
Christmas and the summer holidays are the busiest weeks of the year for pet sitting. Holidays and weekends fill up fast, so booking early is the safest bet.
Send an enquiry as soon as your travel dates are set. That leaves time for a free meet and greet before the busy weeks, so your pet already knows their sitter when you leave.
Public holidays and what they cost
In Victoria, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are public holidays. In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December. Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December, and Monday 28 December is also a public holiday.
Many sitters charge more on public holidays. At Pooch N Pounce, public holidays add $20 per service, so a 30-minute walk on Christmas Day is $55 instead of $35. Check the full pricing or try the estimator.
Festive foods to keep away from pets
RSPCA NSW lists these festive foods as ones to keep away from pets:
- Ham and pork
- Marinades and gravy
- Cooked bones
- Chocolate and lollies
- Christmas pudding and fruit cake
- Grapes, currants and raisins
- Onion, chives and garlic
- Alcohol
Signs a pet may have eaten something it shouldn’t include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive panting, muscle twitching and a lack of coordination. RSPCA NSW advises seeing a vet as soon as possible.
Your pet’s safety comes first. If anything happens, we’ll call you straight away and head to your vet (or the nearest one if needed). Leave your vet’s details where they’re easy to find.
Hot days
Melbourne summers can swing from mild to very hot. On very hot days, the RSPCA recommends:
- Walking dogs early in the morning or late in the evening
- Avoiding hot sand, concrete and asphalt. If you can’t hold the back of your hand on the pavement for a few seconds, it’s too hot for paws
- Keeping cats indoors where it’s cool, with a fan or air conditioning on
- Plenty of cool, clean water
- Never leaving a pet alone in a car, even in the shade
Tell your sitter how your home stays cool: which rooms are coolest, whether the air conditioning can be left on, and where the spare water bowls are.
New Year’s Eve fireworks
Fireworks can frighten pets. RSPCA Victoria suggests:
- Making sure your pet is microchipped and wearing an ID tag
- Creating a safe place to retreat to, with bedding that smells familiar
- Walking dogs in the early afternoon, before fireworks start
- Keeping pets inside before and after the fireworks
- Closing gates and checking fences are secure
- Never punishing a pet for behaviour caused by stress
If you’ll be away, put these notes in your sitter’s instructions so the plan happens without you.
Before you go
Use the pet sitter checklist to make sure your sitter has everything: food, medication, vet details, keys and routines.
Sources
- Business Victoria, Victorian public holidays 2026
- RSPCA NSW, Keeping your furry friends merry (and safe) around festive foods
- RSPCA Australia, Five ways to keep your animals safe on hot days
- RSPCA Victoria, Managing pets during fireworks or thunderstorms
- Pooch N Pounce pricing and FAQs
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If you’re worried about your pet’s health, speak to your vet.