Most pet-sitting problems are not about the animal. They are about the person not knowing where something is, or who to call.
Write it down
Feeding amounts and times, in writing, on the fridge. "He knows" is not a handover.
Medication, dose, and how to give it. If it goes in food, say which food.
Your vet's name, number and address — and confirm with the vet that your sitter may authorise treatment.
What your animal is afraid of. Thunder, the vacuum, the neighbour's gate.
Around the house
Show them the water shut-off, the alarm code and the load-shedding routine. Every South African house has a load-shedding routine.
Leave enough food for longer than you will be away, and say where more is kept.
Tell your neighbours someone will be coming and going, so nobody calls security on your sitter.
Agree the check-ins
Daily photo, message every second day, or nothing unless there is a problem — any of these is fine, as long as you both agreed it before you left.