Going on Vacation? Pet Sitter vs. Boarding Kennel

With the arrival of the summer comes the renewal of your vacation time, giving you a chance to take some much needed time away. While you are gone on vacation, however, who will make sure that your pets receive the highest quality care in your absence? Luckily, for both long or short stays, you can turn toward the assistance of a skilled pet sitter or boarding kennel. To choose between these two options, you must weigh the pros and cons of each and determine how your pet would do with either one. You can utilize this informative guide to get started in choosing between a pet sitter and a boarding kennel for your pet.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Pet Sitting Services

With pet sitting services, you have a skilled professional come to your home on a regular schedule to check on, feed, and exercise your pets. A pet sitter can even stay in your home all day or overnight if your pets have separation anxiety or you just do not want to leave them alone. Explore the pros and cons of this option to determine if a pet sitter makes the most sense for your pets.

Pros About Pet Sitters

One of the best things about pet sitters is that, while you are away, your pets remain in the comfort of their own home while receiving the optimal amount of care and attention. You do not have to worry about your pets being around other animals or in a new environment with a pet sitter in control. The risk of incidents happening decreases with a single person handling the care of your pets and no other animals in the vicinity.

Your pet sitter will follow your specific care instructions for each pet and even water your plants if requested. You can have your pet sitter work on training tasks, play games with your pets or complete minor grooming services to keep your pets looking, feeling and acting their best.

With each visit, pet sitters check on your home and help prevent problems from occurring or escalating in your absence. You can rest assured that your pet sitter will contact you right away if anything goes awry at home or with your pets. Your direct line of contact with your pet sitter can give you immense peace of mind, so you can focus on enjoying your vacation.

What To Watch Out For

Since pet sitters need to come into your home to complete their required tasks, it is imperative that the animals openly welcome people into their homes. If your pets are protective of their space, then a pet sitter may not be the best option.

When you hire a pet sitter, you must prepare your home for their stay in your home and ensure your pets have everything they need while you are away. You must also ready yourself for any damage that may occur during the times when your pets are home alone.

If you tend to take your trips during the most popular travel seasons, you may find it difficult to book your favorite pet sitters. You must plan to book these services early to acquire help from the pet sitting professionals you trust the most with your animals.

All About the Benefits and Drawbacks of Boarding Kennels

Boarding kennels allow you to place your pet in a hotel of sorts for short or long stays while you are on vacation. While at the boarding kennel, your pet will receive care, attention, and exercise while in indoor and outdoor spaces designed with your pet’s safety in mind. If you are considering this option, explore the benefits and drawbacks before making a decision.

The Great Things About Kennels

Boarding kennels will keep your pet in strong kennels and pens that offer protection and security while you are away. Although many pets are kept on boarding kennel grounds at the same time, trained staff members provide constant oversight and monitoring to prevent incidents. Many friendly pets have opportunities to socialize with other animals and people, making their stay a truly enriching experience.

Pets at boarding kennels stay on a strict schedule that can help minimize stress levels and make the stay pleasant for your animal. All pets are fed and exercised on this schedule right off the bat to help them learn what to expect from day one.

During your pet’s stay, kennel staff diligently watch for issues by monitoring food intake, exercise levels and attitude of your animal. Upon noting any problems, a skilled and experienced vet may check out your pet and provide treatment as necessary to resolve the issue. Pets with chronic health issues particularly benefit from the comprehensive monitoring and treatment services offered at boarding kennels.

There Are Some Drawbacks To Boarding

With so many animals staying at boarding kennel facilities at a time, the environment can sometimes be far too chaotic for sensitive or anxious animals. If your dog or cat has a tendency to be anxious in new environments, a boarding kennel may not be the best choice. Simply entering the new environment can trigger high-stress levels that make the stay and transition back home too hard on your pet.

Although kennel staff does their best to gauge the temperaments of the pets they serve, certain situations and animal pairings can cause problems. Even with constant monitoring, fights can break out between animals when they are in the daycare or play activity areas. Therefore, boarding at a kennel comes with the risk of injury if your pet gets into a scuffle with another animal there.

With so many animals to care for in a single day, it is possible for kennel staff to mix up food, toys, and blankets between pets. Although this rarely causes problems, there is a risk of stomach upset from the food change.

Pet Sitting vs. Boarding Kennels

As a pet owner, you must consider your animal’s temperament, health, age, and other needs to accurately choose the best care option while you travel. You can look at the pros and cons of each option and weigh them against your pet’s needs to make the best decision. If you are unsure, you can try a short stay at a boarding kennel and another with a pet sitter to see how your pets react. Your pet will undoubtedly appreciate the time.