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How to Survive Wet Weather Housesits – Top Tips
For housesitters in most countries a great fear is the persistently wet weather housesit, it means you have rain and mud to deal with every time you walk the dogs, cleaning up after them if they run around the garden in between. If the rain turns earth into mud you have to mop up constantly and often wash the pets too. The more dogs the more washing. And it might limit how often you choose to go out yourself.
So what can you do to survive very wet weather? In this article we offer some top tips from a seasoned housesitter Debbie Sakal on what you can do to make the most of your housesit despite the incessant rain.
Photo credit – Haberdoedas
When It Rains Every Day: A House Sitter’s Guide to Surviving UK Wet Weather Housesits
In the UK and a lot of Norther Europe, it’s rained practically every day since the New Year. Not dramatic storms, just endless, steady, miserable rain!. The kind that soaks fields, fills pavements with puddles, and makes you question whether the sun still exists!
As house sitters, we don’t get to pause life when the weather turns bad like this. And especially when there’s a pet dog involved. But don’t worry, a prolonged wet spell isn’t a problem – it’s simply something we can easily adapt to.
Here are my 7 suggestions on how to survive wet weather housesits. The first three discussion points are all about dogs, with the rest about the house sitter.
1. Adapting the Dog’s Walks, Not Avoiding Them
When the fields are waterlogged, muddy and slippery, and footpaths resemble bogs for seemingly weeks on end, flexibility is key to surviving a wet weather housesit.
So, instead of one long countryside ramble, prolonged wet weather calls for a different approach. How about shorter, more frequent walks along pavement routes, instead of muddy trails. Or avoid the downpours and walk in the woods, enjoying the protection of the trees.
Whilst also keeping a close eye on the forecast on our smartphones and watches, and timing walks between the rain showers and the heavier downpours. It’s not about cancelling the dog walks, it’s about adjusting them sensibly, whilst keeping both dog and sitter safe and comfortable.
Photo credit – Debbie Sakal
2. Turning Indoor Time into Enrichment Time
Whilst our walking routines might change with prolonged rain, this certainly doesn’t mean boredom for our dogs. Wet days are perfect for playtime. How about puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, and scent games around the house. You can even engage with refresher training sessions.
Photo credit – Viktor Nikolaienko
Mental stimulation can be just as tiring as physical exercise, in the right way. In many ways, rainy spells encourage more thoughtful engagement with our furry pets.
3. Managing Mud Like a Professional Guest
When you’re caring for pets in someone else’s home, mud management becomes an art form, if we are to avoid manic mopping and deep cleaning every day!
Photo credit – Holly Jeans
To help you survive a wet weather housesit, try putting towels by the front and back doors, to wipe muddy and wet paws and coats before allowing our furry friends access to the rest of the house. Make sure to dry the whole dog, and not just the paws, including tummies and tails!
This way, it protects flooring and soft furnishings. In my opinion, a good house sitter doesn’t just care for the dog, they protect and look after the home too.
Now, let’s discuss issues beyond caring for the dog, because prolonged rain affects the sitter as well!
Ready to take on your next housesit — rain or shine?
Join the Housesitmatch community today and start building experience with trusted pet owners across the UK and beyond. With the right preparation, even wet weather housesits can become rewarding adventures.
👉 Create your sitter profile now and start applying for sits that suit your lifestyle.
4. Creating a Personal Retreat Within the Sit
A rainy house sit can quietly become a creative residency! With fewer outdoor distractions, it’s the perfect time to flex our creative muscles, or start a project we’ve been meaning to for a while.
Photo credit – Debbie Sakal
What about writing, sketching, and catching up on all those books you’ve wanted to read for ages. Or if you work on your travels, what about developing business ideas or planning some upcoming projects.
The grey outside can sharpen our focus inside!
5. Designing a Relaxed Routine
Endless rain forces a slower rhythm. So, instead of fighting it, you can lean into it.
Use these various tips to survive a wet weather housesit.
Some fun ideas include a consistent coffee ritual. Or how about morning stretching or yoga, some afternoon reading curled up on the sofa, whilst the rain pounds the windows! You can round out the day with some evening journaling.
When approached with a creative mindset, what might feel restrictive at first, can become grounding and fun.
6. Exploring the Local Area in Unexpected Ways
Even in heavy rain, every town has indoor corners waiting to be discovered. Here are some ideas for doing just that:
- Local Independent cafés
- Libraries
- Museums
- Art galleries
- Garden centres – the inside aisles can be full of wonderful gifts
By exploring, you can begin to experience the area as a temporary local, rather than a fair-weather visitor.
Photo credit – Debbie Sakal
Love animals? Enjoy travel? Don’t let a little rain stop you.
Housesitting offers companionship, new experiences, and the chance to explore different locations — in every season. With the right mindset and preparation, you’ll thrive.
👉 Join Housesitmatch today and become part of a growing community of trusted house and pet sitters.
7. Using the Time for Quiet “Life Admin” and Personal Development
Long wet spells are strangely productive, if approached in the right way! Here are some ideas for things you might spend your extra time on:
- Updating LinkedIn or your CV
- Planning future house sits
- Reviewing your finances
- Starting that online course you bought last year!
- Clearing digital clutter
- Start that personal development book that you’ve brought with you to the last 3 house sits, and have never started!
Photo credit – Debbie Sakal
Final Thoughts on Surviving Wet Weather Housesits
A wet winter sit isn’t the “Instagram” version of house sitting – no golden sunsets or wide-open countryside strolls!
However, there is something just as wonderful. Cosy evenings. Steaming mugs of hot chocolate. A dog curled up beside you on the sofa, whilst the rain is tapping against the windows outside.
And sometimes, that quiet steadiness is exactly what you didn’t realise you needed!
BIO
I’m Deb Sakal, book publisher, professional artist, writer, business mentor/consultant and marketing expert. I spend most of my time creating premium creative colouring workbooks, and creating paintings for my art store and freelance writing. I’m also the creator and founder of Molly Books, which is named after my beloved cat! Check out my author page on Amazon: https://bit.ly/mollybooks
Debbie Sakal
F.A.Q.s on Wet Weather Housesits
Shorter, more frequent walks can help keep dogs exercised without prolonged exposure to rain. Use waterproof gear, dry dogs thoroughly on return, and follow the homeowner’s usual routine where possible.
Bring waterproof clothing, sturdy boots, spare socks, quick-dry towels, and possibly indoor enrichment toys. Being prepared makes rainy housesits far more comfortable and professional.
In very bad weather, indoor games like scent work, puzzle feeders, tug toys, or short training sessions can provide mental stimulation. However, most dogs still need some outdoor time unless advised otherwise by the owner.
Keep towels near entrances, wipe paws immediately after walks, and use doormats to reduce mud tracking. Always leave the property as clean — or cleaner — than you found it.
Some pets become restless during extended wet weather. Increasing mental stimulation, maintaining routine, and offering reassurance can help keep them calm and content.
Further Reading
At Housesit Match we like to share useful blogs and practical advice about surviving a wet weather housesit as a housesitter, and also finding petsitters, preparing a pet friendly home a the pet owner. We hope you find this small selection of our blogs on house sitters useful.
Housesitters keep pets safe at home and save money
What a housesitter does – Top 10 responsibilities
