Ahhhh, vacation! Time to get away from the routine of everyday life, to relax and spend quality time with family and friends. While your four-legged family members can often join in the getaway fun, sometimes it isn\u2019t possible \u2014 or even a good idea. Maybe your pet is the type who\u2019s better off at home. Whatever the reason your pet won\u2019t be joining you on vacation, the good news is that there are several options for pet care while you\u2019re away. Here\u2019s what you should consider when your pet can\u2019t come along.<\/p>\n
Pet care arrangements take planning and should start with considering where your pet will be most comfortable. Your choice of in-home pet care or overnight boarding should take into account your pet\u2019s type (dog versus cat), age, behavior and health. A young, healthy dog who is well socialized may think staying at a pet hotel or boarding kennel is like summer camp. But for a shy, older cat, hiring a pet sitter to stay at your home may be more appropriate.<\/p>\n
Once you determine what\u2019s best for your pet, you can then explore the many options available in your community to ensure your pet is safe and well cared for while you\u2019re away. Start by getting recommendations from other pet owners, family members or your veterinarian. Then look into any boarding facility or pet sitter you\u2019re considering before you make arrangements.<\/p>\n
Boarding has traditionally been a popular solution for dog and cat owners needing to leave their pets while vacationing. Today\u2019s options run the gamut from simple cage-and-run kennels to spa-like pet hotels. Plus, some veterinary clinics offer pet boarding, which may be a good option if your pet has health problems that require daily medication. Many pets \u2014 particularly dogs \u2014 adapt well to staying at a boarding facility because they\u2019re social animals. Other pets, however, may become stressed or depressed by an unfamiliar environment or changes in daily routine.<\/p>\n
You and your pet \u2014 whether dog or cat \u2014 should be comfortable with your boarding facility choice. You\u2019ll want to visit the kennel before dropping off your pet and talk with the manager or supervisor.<\/p>\n
Questions to ask when checking out a boarding kennel<\/p>\n
As you\u2019re visiting the prospective boarding facility, you\u2019ll likely think of other questions to ask and that\u2019s fine. Kennel staff want you to be comfortable with your decision as well as what\u2019s best for your pet.<\/p>\n
If a boarding facility is not an appropriate place for your dog or cat, you can have your pet stay in the comfortable, familiar surroundings of home while you\u2019re away. You can hire a professional pet sitter or leave your pet in the care of a friend or family member. One of the best ways to find a pet sitter is by asking family, coworkers, friends or your veterinarian for a referral. Online directories such as those provided by Pet Sitters International<\/a>, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters<\/a>, Rover.com<\/a> and Care.com<\/a> can help you locate a pet care professional close to your home.<\/p>\n Pet sitters come in two varieties: those who stay overnight in your home and others who drop by throughout the day. Pet sitters who can double as house sitters mean your dog or cat is not alone all night in addition to all day, and their presence helps avoid signals to potential thieves that no one\u2019s home. And live-in pet\/house sitters are more likely to notice potential health concerns sooner and can arrange for veterinary care if needed. While live-in sitters may be more expensive, the benefits of a less-stressed pet are typically worth it.<\/p>\n If you decide to have a friend, neighbor or family member care for your pet, you\u2019ll want to know how much experience they have with pets and if they\u2019re comfortable assuming responsibility for your pet\u2019s care. A veterinary technician or veterinary student (if you live in a city that\u2019s home to a college of veterinary medicine) who does pet sitting on the side is a great choice if your cat or dog requires medication or has health issues that require a trained eye.<\/p>\n When leaving your four-legged family member with someone else, you\u2019ll need to provide enough information that the pet sitter can care for your pet. It\u2019s better to provide too much information, rather than not enough, so be as detailed as possible when writing instructions. Be sure to include:<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also want to leave your contact information, the phone number and address of your veterinary clinic, and the phone number and address of the nearest 24-hour veterinary hospital. In the event of an after-hours medical emergency, make sure your pet sitter knows your pet\u2019s breed, age, approximate weight and any underlying health issues such as a heart murmur, medication allergies or untreated seizure disorder. An alternative is to leave a copy of your pet\u2019s medical records for your pet sitter.<\/p>\n In the end, whether you choose to board your pet or hire a pet sitter, there\u2019s no right or wrong \u2014 just what\u2019s best for your lil\u2019 buddy. So choose the service that meets your pet\u2019s specific needs and that fits within your budget. Bone voyage!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ahhhh, vacation! Time to get away from the routine of everyday life, to relax and spend quality time with family and friends. While your four-legged family members can often join in the getaway fun, sometimes it isn\u2019t possible \u2014 or even a good idea. Maybe your pet is the type who\u2019s better off at home. 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