You’ve got a trip to take! Not only that, but you also have to figure out what you will do with your pet while you’re gone. Its always a difficult decision. Will it be pet sitting or pet boarding.
It’s impossible to leave them at home alone all day, or even for several days at a time. which one is better, pet sitting or boarding.
But again, there isn’t any pet hotel where they can check themselves in until you return.
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Well, yes and no. There are a few different options for pet care while away from home, including kennels and animal boarding facilities that offer all the comforts of home and professional pet sitters that can check on your dog or cat while they’re keeping their routine.
It may seem like a slight distinction between the two. After all, both options involve someone else watching your pet.
But there are essential differences between the two services that make each one more suitable depending on your needs.
Let’s get into it!
Pet Sitting
1. Keeps Your Pets in a Familiar Environment
The most apparent benefit of pet sitting is that your pet stays in their home, with all their familiar surroundings.
They have their bed to sleep on, food to eat, toys and other items they like to play with, and everything else that makes up their daily routine. My problem with pet sitting is that the last time I used a sitter my German Shepherd decided he would chew on my moulding. The last thing you want is a GSD with anxiety.
It provides comfort for them if they were to be boarded at another location for any reason.
2. Your Pet Gets the Same Love, Care & Attention
Your pet’s routine is essential to them. You may think boarding your pet at a facility would be better for them, but this is not necessarily true.
Your pet can sleep in bed, eat their usual food and play with their familiar toys and friends.
They will also have access to the same affection when you are home with them.
It can help reduce anxiety for some pets who become stressed when they cannot maintain their regular schedule.
3. You Can Arrange the Same Pet Sitter Every Time
It is also beneficial to hire a pet sitter because you will get to know them and trust them. You won’t have to worry about the dog being taken care of by someone else because you can count on your pet sitter to do the job right.
Your pet will be familiar with their routine, so they will be comfortable with their surroundings when they come home from a trip away.
If your dog has been boarded at another facility, they may not take well to strangers or be in unfamiliar spaces.
Having someone familiar with your dog’s personality can make a difference in how well they are treated while staying at another location.
4. On-Hand to Pet Sitter Help in Emergency
If your pet sitter is close by and available, it may be possible for them to come over and help in an emergency.
5. You Can Get Updates from Your Pet Sitter
You can also get text messages and photos while you are away. Your pet sitter will send them to you daily so you know how your pet is doing.
They may also send photos of your pet’s day so that when you come home and see the pictures, it will remind you of what happened while they were in the care of a professional.
Pet sitting services offer great perks like this because they appreciate their clients’ satisfaction with their service.
They want to make sure that their clients feel completely comfortable when they aren’t there with their pets at home.
Discover how to ensure top Dog Health with The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health!6. Pet Sitting Cost
An average pet sitter’s rate ranges from $25 to $35 per hour, depending on the provider and location.
The hourly rate will be higher in areas with more demand or where fewer pet sitters are available.
For example, when we checked the rates for the New York metro area (which includes Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island), they ranged from $20 to $40 per visit.
7. Factor that Affects the Cost
While every provider is different, some shared factors could affect your costs:
Distance Between Homes: If you’re looking at providers who work in your neighborhood only, then distance shouldn’t be an issue (and neither should traffic).
But if you’re seeking someone based farther away who’ll need to travel more than 10 miles out of town—or even out of state—you may pay extra for their time spent traveling.
Type or Size of Animal: If you have multiple pets, this could affect your service costs; larger animals take up more room than smaller ones and often require special care during visits.
Specialized Services: Some companies offer pet grooming or housekeeping services, while others specialize solely in walking dogs outside rather than inside buildings.
Pet Boarding
1. Your Pup Will Have Fun While You’re Gone
It’s no secret that dogs love playing outside and have lots of space to run around at the facility where they’ll spend their days.
If your dog has separation anxiety (and even if they don’t), getting them used to being away from home will help them stay happy while they’re there.
2. Your Pup Will Meet New Friends
The staff at most boarding facilities will ensure each dog has plenty of socialization time with humans and other pets during their stay so that everyone gets along well when it’s time for playtime outside.
3. Pet Boarding is Safe for Your Pet to Run Around
So you’re wondering, how do I keep my dog happy while I am away?
The Answer is Simple: take them to a kennel! Boarding kennels are safe places for your dogs to run around, play with other dogs and socialize.
They get the exercise they need and get out of the house.
Plus, plenty of training classes are available so your pup can learn how to behave in public without you being there.
When looking for dog boarding facilities, you must find one that offers plenty of space for your dog to run around and play with other dogs.
Your pet should also be able to interact with people who aren’t family members, so they learn more about being socialized outside their home environment.
4. Supervised Playtime with Other Dogs
It’s hard to decide whether you should ask someone to stay with them all day or someone to take them out and play with them? It depends on what you want from a pet sitter.
When you’re away from home, it may be best to find a family member or friend who can help out with your pup.
On the other hand, if your furry friend is social and loves going on walks and trips outside with other dogs, then kennels could be their ideal vacation spot.
5. Your Pet Will Get Food and Care On-Time!
To ensure your dog receives the best care possible at a boarding facility, they are fed and given fresh water daily. They also receive all of their vaccines as required by law.
Your canine will also be taken outside to relieve themselves, so you don’t need to worry about that!
When you’re outside, your pet will be given plenty of playtime with other dogs in their age group to get regular exercise while staying active in a new environment.
And, of course, each dog’s needs are different—some might even want additional attention or love!
Conclusion: Choosing Between Pet sitting or Pet Boarding for Your Pet Can Be Tricky, But Not Impossible!
Pet sitting is better for your dog because it’s more affordable, convenient, personal, flexible, and comfortable.
The cost of boarding your dog can add up quickly. Pet sitters charge anywhere between $25-50 per night for one dog, which isn’t bad when you consider that some boarding facilities charge $55 per day or more!
Some sitters offer special rates for multiple dogs or long-term stays.
Pet sitting or pet boarding is entirely your choice, only you can decide what suits your needs and pocket! Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and don’t forget to click here to visit our pet shop link and the top of this page. For our military veteran dog lovers click this link for military and patriotic related products
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