Boarding Your Dog vs. Using a Professional Pet Sitter

Nowadays when making plans for your pets' care while you are out of town, there are a few different options to consider. Depending on the needs of your pets and your budget, you may consider boarding at a vet's office, boarding at a daycare facility, boarding at someone's home, or having a professional pet sitter visit your home and tend to your pets. Each of these options is discussed below. Keep in mind that these are generalizations: not all boarding places are the same, and not all pet sitting companies are the same.


Boarding at the Vet
Boarding your pet at a vet's office is the traditional, and usually most cost-effective option. When I was a kid, that was what we did with our dachshund when we traveled. And I distinctly remember him always coming back with kennel cough, for which we had to buy medicine from the vet. We had never heard of in-home pet sitting on a professional level. It just didn't exist. My parents never gave it a second thought that our little Hannibal might be stressed out in that little cage, not receiving the attention he deserves, and not knowing when or if he will see his family again.

Not all boarding facilities paint such a dismal picture, but boarding at a vet's office is usually the least desirable option for the comfort of the pet, mainly because veterinary staff do not have the time to devote to giving all of their boarders the attention they need. They may get a short potty break once or twice a day, but in most cases, they spend your whole vacation locked away in a cage and ignored for the most part. It may be your cheapest option, but do you really want to do that to a family member? The only pets that may require boarding at the vet would be pets that have an illness that requires veterinary-level care and monitoring. This may seem like the most cost-effective option at first, until you consider the illnesses they contract that you have to treat. Some may even develop behavioral problems, such as paw chewing, if left in a stressful situation for an extended period of time.

Boarding at a Day Care Facility
Another boarding option, which may be higher in cost but is much better for your dog. is boarding at a facility that provides dog day care. These businesses have staff that are hired to interact with your pet and ensure they get play time and attention every day. This option works very well for well-socialized dogs that love going places and playing with other dogs, but can be just as stressful as the vet's office for dogs who do not like leaving home or interacting with other members of their species. Again with boarding, the dog spends the majority of the time in an enclosure. At some facilities, you can pay a premium for a "suite" for your dogs, which is basically a small room with toys and beds for them to play and sleep. Some of these facilities also have activities you can pay for, such as swimming, extended group play time, or hiking. You will be paying extra for these services. Additionally, finding this type of boarding option for a cat will be much more difficult. 

In-Home Boarding
Some pet sitting companies offer boarding of a limited amount of dogs in their home. They provide a "home environment" for your pup, as well as interaction and socialization with other dogs. This option can be pricey, but is not much more than what a boarding facility would charge, and your dog would get much more individualized attention, provided the caretaker was only accepting a few dogs at a time into his/her home. Like boarding at a day care, your dog needs to be well-socialized and good with other dogs to do well with this option.

When you are taking your pets to another place to board them, almost all of these places require that your pets be up-to-date on all vaccines, as well as on monthly heartworm, flea and tick preventative. If you go the natural route with raising your dogs, you may run into a problem getting accepted into these facilities, many of which do not accept titers (a blood test to check the levels of immunity to particular diseases) in lieu of vaccines. If you feed your animals a raw diet, you may also have some issue there with the facility's ability to store the food and their willingness to feed it. 

If you decide that boarding is the best option for your pets, make sure you research any facility you are considering: read reviews, and call to schedule a time to take a tour and get a run-down of the services offered. 

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Professional In-Home Pet Sitting
Professional pet sitting is an option that has really gained steam in recent years. We have started to realize this stress in our pets when we take them out of their homes and put them in a foreign place, locked in a cage. The vast majority of pets have much less stress (if any!) when they are allowed to stay in their homes. The whole point of hiring a professional pet sitter is so that your pets' routine doesn't change. They get to sleep in their bed, eat food out of their bowls, and go for walks in their neighborhood. There are many great pet sitting companies out there to choose from. Just make sure you do your due diligence and choose one that is insured, bonded, and has a good reputation.

Some people consider in-home pet sitting services to be too pricey. However, consider how much it costs to board several animals for several days versus scheduling someone to take care of them at your house. Chances are, it is pretty comparable in price, if boarding isn't more expensive! And with most pet sitting companies, you won't have all of the vaccine and preventative requirements that you would at a boarding facility. Most pet sitters are happy to feed your pets whatever they are used to eating, whether it be kibble or raw food. Some pet sitting companies even offer overnight service or 24-hour service, depending on your pet's needs. Some even have sitters who are vet techs and can provide services such as administering fluids and shots. You can have your pet sitter come several times per day to let your dogs out, scoop your kitty's litter box, and to hang out and play and love on your crew. 

It is important to weigh the pros and cons of each of these options when considering pet care. Think about your pets and their personalities. How do they respond to leaving their home? Do they seem okay about it, or do they stress out? Finding the right option for you and your fur family can be the difference between spending your vacation worrying about your pets, or spending it relaxing, knowing they are in good hands!

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