Plans for your dream vacation are all set. You’ve chosen a great location, booked yourself in the swankiest hotel you could find and you’re counting down the days before you get to let loose and enjoy some well-deserved fun. Choosing between at-home pet care or boarding your cuddle-buddy has you stumped and you just can’t bring yourself to make a final decision. Which option will ultimately be the best for your furry best friend?
A Straight Answer
At-home pet care is a better solution for your pet than a kennel or boarding facility. While boarding is for some a traditionally used option, at-home pet care has emerged as a better solution since it allows your beloved to remain in the familiar environment she is most used to and in a place where she feels comfortable and is safest. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of both options, shall we?
The Pros of At-Home Pet Care:
Your beloved stays at home where she is most comfortable
Your furry friend maintains their normal routine
Your pet feels safe and secure, despite your absence
Your pet benefits from focused attention from their caregiver, and maintains their schedule for feeding, play and exercise
The Cons of At-Home Pet Care
Your pet may miss you
Prices may be a bit higher
As you can see, the pros outweigh the cons here. And if you bring on the right dog walker or pet sitter, your pet may not even miss you! If you have security cameras in your home or a pet sitter who is willing to video chat with you, you can even peek in and even say hello to your love bug while you are away.
The Pros of Pet Boarding
Daily costs may be lower
Your dog might enjoy making new friends at a boarding facility
The Cons of Pet Boarding
Your pet is exposed to a new environment, scents, sights and sounds, which may be frightening to them
Your cat or dog may be exposed to airborne diseases, such as kennel cough and canine influenza
Your dog may be picked on by an alpha dog, possibly causing physical or psychological harm and high vet bills
Your pet may not get the level of attention or quality of environment they are used to
Your cat or dog may develop anxiety from a bad boarding experience
Your pet hates to be separated from you as much as you hate to have to leave her. There is a distinct difference between leaving her at a strange place and leaving her at home, however. As leaving her at home creates less stress and supports her comfort, we hope that you will agree that at-home pet care is always better than boarding.
All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.
By Laura Root
Photos courtesy of Jackson & Perkins
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