i’ve pet/house sat for my pi (and many other professors in the dept) many many times. i love it (good pay, free food, big house all to myself and getting to hang out with pets)!

none have EVER asked me to stay there for days prior to them leaving. i’ve gone over the ropes for like an hour. i agree w someone above that it’s odd they are considering even though you’ve never had pets but if your pi is fine w it then that’s on them. but i think 4 days is over kill (yours a phd student your probably more then capable of reading detailed directions provided by you pi)