The Benefits of Dog Boarding
A vacation is a time for you to sit back, unwind, relax and get away from the stress of everyday life. The last thing you need is to worry about your dog while you are gone. To make sure you have an easy, carefree vacation, ensure your pet is well taken care of as well. But with so many options for dog care, how can you know what’s best for your dog? Whatever you choose will depend on you and your pet’s needs, but in this article, we’ll lay out the benefits of dog boarding so you can make a more informed decision.
Dog Boarding vs. Dog Sitters
While “dog boarding” and “dog sitting” are sometimes used interchangeably, these refer to two very different things. For starters, boarding involves sending your dog to a facility, where he’ll be cared for while you’re away. Dog sitting means that someone will go to your home and care for your dog. While dog sitting may be a good option, you may find that there are more benefits of dog boarding.
Many dog owners like the idea of dog sitters visiting their homes to take care of their dogs while they are away. Your dog will be able to stay in a comfortable environment for the duration of the vacation. Unfortunately, this is seldom the right choice. A pet that is allowed to stay at home may have a sudden medical emergency while the sitter is gone. Your dog may even escape and become lost. They might also cause damage to property or become a nuisance to neighbors.
For all of these reasons, the benefits of dog boarding are greater than dog sitting. These facilities often have veterinarians on-site or they are a quick phone call away. The animals are watched and accounted for at all hours. They are kept in areas that ensure they will not harm themselves or others. If that is still not convincing enough, boarding facilities are generally much less expensive than pet sitters.
Professional Dog Boarding vs. Veterinarians
Your pet’s veterinarian may have an option to board dogs and cats while you are away. It may seem reasonable to assume that this is the best place to stay due to easy access to healthcare. However, there are other factors to consider when determining whether the benefits of dog boarding are greater than veterinarian boarding.
Most veterinarian cages are much smaller than dog hotels. This should be a primary concern, especially if you will be gone for a significant amount of time. In addition, other animals being held at the veterinarian may be under duress. A great many of these dogs and cats are undergoing treatments and surgeries. Their pain and suffering could easily affect your pet.
Choosing the Best Dog Boarding Facility
As a dog owner, you might worry that the pet care facility is not suited for the needs of your particular pet. You can alleviate those worries by paying a visit to the site. Ask for a tour and a schedule of all of the activities throughout the day. Request to see the area where dogs are allowed to walk and play. Every reputable facility will be more than happy to allow you to inspect the premises.
If you are still concerned, you can do a trial run of the facility. Ask to board your pet for one night to see how he or she accepts this new environment. The facility might also have a doggie daycare option, which would allow you to drop your dog off for a few hours rather than overnight. Your pet’s demeanor upon pickup will allow you to properly assess if he or she is happy and treated well.
Fon Jon Pet Care is Here to Help!
Boarding while you travel is a kind, thoughtful and safe choice for both dogs and cats. And as you can see, there are a lot of benefits of dog boarding over other care choices!
Make sure to schedule your pet’s stay well in advance so you can be sure to have optimal space for the dates you need. Your pet will be happy and you can enjoy your vacation free from guilt or worry. Are you going away on vacation and need boarding for your pet? Call Fon Jon Pet Care at 858-490-2117 so you can have a worry-free vacation, or make an appointment on our website. You can also learn more about Fon Jon Pet Care and see what we’re up to by following our new Facebook page!
