Holiday Boarding vs. Pet Sitting: What’s Right for You?

When the holiday months roll around, it’s exciting knowing you get to travel and see family and friends,. As a pet owner, there’s always that concern of what to do with your pet. In fact, if you don’t plan early, you could find yourself dealing with a great deal of stress. However, with a little education you can decide what options are best for you and your family. The main decision you’ll need to make is whether you want someone to pet sit or do you want to board your pet. There are pros and cons to both options so let’s compare the two and look at some points to consider.

Pet Sitting:

• Options
  • Drop-in Care at Your Home
  • House Boarding at Their house.
• Pros
  • Your pet stays in the comfort of your home.
  • House Boarding: You typically know who your pet is staying with.
• Cons
  • Do you feel comfortable with someone coming into your home when you’re not there?
  • If you use drop-in care, will your pet adjust well if they are left alone for an extended amount of time?
  • Will your pet bond with the other animals and family?

Pet Boarding:

• Options
  • Pet Hotels
  • Pet Hospitals
  • Pet Boarding
• Pros
  • Your pet is cared for at a facility. Facilities typically have schedules for feeding and potty breaks.
  • Your pet will have around the clock monitoring/care.
  • Immunizations – All pets must meet the same requirements to be boarded. 
  • The facility may offer camera views for you to check in on your pet.
• Cons
  • You cannot control how many other pets are boarded at the same time.
  • Boarding can be costly.
  • Immunizations – If your pet is not current on their immunizations, they may not be allowed to stay. 
  • You may not have control whether your pet will be caged or allowed to roam free all day.

Most pet owners will agree that their furry friends are just as much a part of the family as the kids. It’s important to keep in mind that pets get stressed and have separation anxiety, as well so preparing as much in advance will help. I highly recommend touring facilities and meeting your pet sitter in ahead of time. You should feel comfortable knowing your pet is in good hands when you leave them. 

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