Pet Medication Handoff Checklist
For families and sitters caring for a pet on regular meds. One place to see what's due, what was already given, who gave it, and who to call.
VCA's dog insulin-treatment guidance recommends keeping a chart in a central location to record insulin administration and help prevent a dog from being treated twice. This sheet applies that habit to family and sitter handoffs. (VCA is not affiliated with DoseHandoff.)
Contacts
Pet: Owner: Phone:
Backup contact: Phone:
Veterinarian: Phone:
Nearest emergency clinic: Phone/address:
ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply)
Medication setup
Copy the instructions from your veterinarian and the medication label. Do not add your own dosing rules.
| Medication / strength (from label) | What it's for (per your vet) | Due time(s) | How to give (food? per label/vet) | If late or missed (vet/label) | Refill date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Daily dose log
| Date | Time due | Medication | Given / skipped | Time logged | Given by | Notes / call made? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The handoff habit (every dose)
- Check the log first: was this dose already given? By whom? When?
- Give the dose exactly as your veterinarian instructed.
- Record it right away: medication, time, who gave it, given or skipped, any notes.
- If you're not sure whether it was already given, don't guess — pause and contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic before giving another dose.
Handing off to a sitter
- Walk the sitter through the setup before you leave; confirm they're comfortable with each task.
- Show them this sheet and where to record each dose.
- Leave the emergency contacts above and how to reach you.
- When your vet changes a medication, update this sheet and tell every caregiver which version is current.
Call your vet, an emergency clinic, or poison control right away if:
- Your pet may have gotten a double dose or the wrong medication.
- A dose was missed and you're unsure what to do.
- Your pet ate medication that wasn't meant for them.
- Your pet is acting sick after a dose.
This checklist is for record-keeping and caregiver coordination only. It is not veterinary advice and does not diagnose conditions, choose medications, calculate doses, or recommend whether to give or skip a dose. It does not replace your veterinarian or emergency care. Always follow your veterinarian's instructions and the medication label. If your pet may have received the wrong dose, missed an important medication, eaten medication, or is acting sick, contact your veterinarian, an emergency veterinary clinic, or animal poison control right away.
From the team behind DoseHandoff — a free plan keeps this shared log on everyone's phone. dosehandoff.com