Making travel plans when you have a furry family member at home can be tricky. As much as we may want our pets by our sides on vacations and getaways, that isn’t always realistic or even possible. When you can’t bring Fido or Fluffy along, you need reliable pet care in place so your four-legged friend is happy and healthy in your absence.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore some popular options for pets while owners are away like boarding kennels, pet sitters that come to your home, specialized boarding facilities like doggy daycares, and veterinarian boarding. We’ll break down the pros and cons of each so you can determine the best fit for your pet’s needs and personality.

Boarding Kennels and Pet Facilities

Boarding kennels and pet facilities offer 24/7 supervision of your pet in a dedicated facility with staff trained in animal handling. Most boarding kennels provide the basics – feeding your pet meals and treats you supply, walking and/or playtimes with other dogs, and cleaning up after them. Some facilities go the extra mile offering pet pampering amenities and services for an additional fee.

When touring a potential kennel or pet facility, look for clean spaces, proper ventilation, separate compartments for feeding, sleeping, and elimination along with some type of outdoor access for all boarders. Reputable facilities welcome and even encourage potential clients to tour their facility before booking.

Pros:

• 24/7 staffing and supervision
• Basic care like feeding, walking, and playtime included
• Some places allow you to bring your pet’s favorite bedding, toys
• Staff trained in animal handling and pet first aid

Cons:

• One of the more expensive boarding options
• Increased exposure to illnesses from other pets
• Potentially stressful being separated from the owners

One popular hybrid option is cage-free boarding offered at some pet facilities and hotels. This allows for the amenities and staff supervision of boarding with less kennel time for your dog. During the day while you’re gone, Fido gets supervised group play in indoor and outdoor spaces. At bedtime, dogs sleep together in communal areas instead of being kenneled alone overnight.

In-Home Pet Sitters

If keeping familiar surroundings and your pet’s normal routine is a priority, consider hiring an in-home pet sitter to care for your furry friend. Reputable pet sitters can feed your pet their regular meals on a consistent schedule, administer medications if needed, play with and walk your dog, or cuddle and play with kitty. They may also attend to household duties like getting mail, watering plants, and taking out the trash while living in your home temporarily.

When interviewing potential pet sitters, don’t be afraid to ask lots of specific questions like:

• Will they be staying at your house or just coming for periodic visits?
• How will they handle pet messes or accidents?
• How often will they walk or play with your pet per day?
• What training or certifications do they have? Can they administer medications if needed?
• What happens if your pet needs emergency veterinary care?

Ideally, you’ll want to meet the potential sitter in your home a few times so they get familiar with your house rules and vice versa. This introductory period helps your pet acclimate to the new person caring for them while you’re away. Reputable services welcome meet-and-greets beforehand.

Pros:

• Pet stays in a comfortable, familiar environment
• The sitter can stick to your pet’s normal routine for feedings, medications, exercise
• One-on-one personalized attention and care
• Often more affordable than full-service boarding kennels

Cons:

• Harder to check in and monitor pets remotely
• Risk of less 24-hour supervision
• Allowing a stranger access to your home

Doggy Daycares

Energetic, social dogs can thrive spending weekdays playing with new furry friends at a doggy daycare facility while owners work. The same model can work well for pet owners traveling without their four-legged family members not wanting to fully board their dogs.

Most doggy daycares require your dog to pass a comprehensive behavior and temperament test to use their services ensuring safety for all visiting pups. They also require documentation of current vaccinations and preventatives.

While you travel or work, your dog enjoys playtime and attention with daycare staff and other approved dogs during operating hours. At closing time or overnight during your trip, your pooch goes home just like with a traditional dog walker. You get the socialization and activity benefits of group interaction without full kenneling.

Pros:

• Playtime and attention during daycare hours
• Group socialization opportunities
• Staff experienced monitoring multi-dog groups
• Less costly than full 24/7 boarding

Cons:

• Only available during standard daytime business hours, not overnight
• Potential for injuries with rough play
• Higher risk of respiratory illnesses like kennel cough with group interaction

Veterinarian Boarding Facilities

Pets with specialized health needs often do best staying at veterinarian hospital boarding facilities when owners travel. The obvious advantage is staff with medical training and expertise should your pet need care while boarding. Veterinary boarding also works well for older pets who struggle away from familiar surroundings or don’t tolerate boarding kennel noise and chaos.

Ask your vet if they offer boarding services or spaces. If not, many larger veterinary hospitals and emergency clinics do have boarding staff and facilities available. Key things to inquire about are:

• Number of staff members available overnight if your pet needs attention
• How often senior pets are taken out for bathroom breaks
• Types of boarding spaces for pets – shared, single, indoor, outdoor
• Fees for any specialized medications or necessary treatments

Pros:

• Staff with veterinary training, and experience if health issues arise
• Less chaotic and noisy than boarding kennels
• Familiar location and people for stressed pets

Cons:

• Very limited or no playtime with other pets
• Less overall supervision overnight
• Higher costs for health-related boarding needs

Conclusion

No pet parent wants to leave behind their furry best friend when traveling, but sometimes bringing them along isn’t realistic. In those instances, ensuring you have the right pet care coverage in place brings peace of mind while you’re away.

There are pros, cons, and varying costs to options like boarding kennels, pet sitters, doggy daycares, and veterinarian boarding. Being honest with yourself about your pet’s health, activity needs, stress triggers, and budget makes settling on the best choice much easier. Do your due diligence touring facilities or interviewing sitters in advance so that when wanderlust strikes, your trusted pet care backup plan is ready to go.

What I’ve learned most speaking with fellow devoted pet owners over the years is there is no one perfect boarding solution that works for everyone. Finding the best fit means identifying your pet’s unique needs, your available resources and then matching those two as closely as possible for safe, happy travels.