Thinking about leaving your precious pooch is nerve-wracking, whichever way you slice it. You have many options to consider concerning pet care while you’re away, so let us help you weigh a couple of them!
Pet Sitting Services
Pet sitters come in all shapes and sizes, and you can find them just about anywhere. Pet sitters can be certified, insured, and bonded for your peace of mind. In one report by Pet Sitters International, pet sitting service revenues exceeded $391 million in 2015. In 2022, the pet sitting market is expected to grow over the next decade. This service is not going anywhere!
Pet Sitting: Pros
Using a pet sitter, your pet will have fully customized care and be able to keep its everyday routine. Your pet will miss you, there’s no doubt about it. But staying in familiar surroundings can help ease the tension of separation anxiety.
Also, your selected pet sitter can get to know your pet and befriend them before your trip. This makes for an even smoother transition as you leave and your pet sitter takes over. If your dog always knows that this new person loves them, gives them treats, and wants to make them happy, it makes all the difference when they see that person walk through the door!
Pet Sitting: Cons
Understandably, some people can clench at the thought of a relative stranger coming in and out of their home or sleeping in their quarters. It’s totally normal to feel this way. We’ve listed this aspect as a “con” because some level of preparation will likely be necessary for your pet sitter to stay in your home. It could be as simple as clearing a shelf in the fridge and pulling out the hide-a-bed. Or, maybe you already have a guest room ready to go. Either way, you will have to let someone else into your home.
A pet sitter may not be suitable for you if you have an extremely territorial pet. All parties involved want the best experience for the pet and the sitter. Consider your dog’s behavior before welcoming a sitter inside.
Boarding Kennels
Boarding: Pros
Boarding kennel facilities are designed with the safety and security of your dog in mind. Everything from the strong kennels to the fenced outside area and all spaces in between are made to meet this security goal. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your dog won’t be going anywhere.
Your dog will be exercised and fed on a regular schedule. Also, staff members will constantly monitor your dog’s health, food intake, and behavior. If you have a dog with a chronic illness, staff can administer medication and monitor its condition. Typically, boarding kennels have a trained veterinarian or vet aid on standby in emergencies.
Boarding: Cons
If your pet has a sensitive stomach, be careful with leaving them at a boarding facility. With so many animals to take care of in these places, the food may get mixed up with other dogs or otherwise compromised.
Even if your dog is friendly and never has, and never will, hurt a fly, you don’t know what the other dogs are like in the boarding facility. There is some risk involved in letting your dog play with all the other dogs during playtime. A fight may break out unexpectedly.
The environment in boarding kennels is chaotic, so if your pooch is sensitive to noise or anxious, this option probably isn’t best for you. The last thing you want is for your dog to be afraid for a whole day, or days at a time.
Which is best?
As you can see, each option has unique attributes. One is not inherently better than the other. The answer lies in your dog’s personality, behavior patterns, and medical needs.
If your dog is friendly, confident, and used to a bit of chaos, then they’ll have a blast in a boarding kennel, and you won’t have someone coming to your home. If your dog is friendly but anxious or requires a specific routine, then it’s best to find a pet sitter you trust so your dog’s needs are fully met.
Whatever you decide, it’s not final! You can give boarding a trial run and switch to pet sitting, or vice versa. Take it easy, and your pet will, too!
The Paw People 
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