Planning a holiday should be an exciting time but pet parents often experience anxiety about leaving their dogs while on vacation. In today's post, our Sharpsburg vets share tips on what to do with your dog when you travel.
Leaving Your Dog While on Vacation
Our veterinarians understand how difficult it can be to decide where to leave your beloved pet while you are away from home. Whether you're going on vacation for a few weeks or a business trip for a few days, you'll need to find appropriate care for your dog. Although choosing the best kennel or boarding facility for your dog can be difficult, doing some research into the options available near you, as well as what features each service provides, can help to make your decision easier.
Pet Care While on Vacation (Or Any Time Away From Home)
You can rest assured that today's dog boarding facilities aren't the depressing places they once were. While you're away, your dog can be pampered and have fun socializing and playing. Kennels are kept clean and odor-free, and dogs are lavished with love and attention.
A quick google search can help you find animal boarding facilities in your area ranging from pet spas and doggie summer camps to medical boarding for dogs that require extra love and attention, with price points that range from extravagant to affordable.
If you are in the process of deciding which boarding facility to take your dog to, be sure to check out a few different places in your area to find a facility that best suits the needs of your pet, and your wallet.
Dog Boarding Facility Features
The daily boarding fee is a good indicator of the level of service provided at a particular dog boarding facility. If your dog will be treated to luxurious hotel-like spaces with comfy sofas to lounge on and televisions to watch, you will pay more than if you board your pet at a standard facility with clean roomy crates and fenced dog runs.
If you want your dog to enjoy an active outdoor adventure while you're traveling, a fun camp experience may be ideal. Dog camps across the country offer loads of time for your dog to explore outdoors, as well as added facilities in some cases for swimming and playing with other dogs.
As you narrow down your list of preferred kennels it's important to keep in mind that extravagant facility features don't necessarily add up to better care for your pet, and can get very pricey.
The Right Level of Service for Your Dog
Dog care while you're on vacation will typically be priced based on the level of service you choose. Luxury accommodations will be far more expensive per day than a standard kennel.
Standard boarding care for dogs at most kennels and boarding facilities includes:
- A clean, roomy kennel for your dog to sleep and relax in
- Exercise time outdoors before breakfast so your dog can stretch their legs
- Breakfast served in the kennel
- Out of kennel playtime in the middle of the day to allow your pup to burn off energy
- Dinner served in the kennel
- Evening bathroom break
Added extras commonly available at standard kennels and pet boarding facilities:
If you are looking for something a bit more special than a standard boarding facility, many facilities also offer the following services:- Specialized veterinary care
- Training
- Grooming
- Shuttle services to and from the facility
Choosing The Best Kennel for Your Dog While You Are on Vacation
Pet owners frequently worry about leaving their dogs while on vacation. Personal preference, price, and availability in your neighborhood will ultimately determine the best dog care for your vacation. With a little research into the services available in your area, you should be able to find just the right level of care for your pet at a price you can afford.
Medical & Standard Dog Boarding at East Coweta Veterinary Hospital
At East Coweta Veterinary Hospital we understand that it can be stressful to leave your pet - especially if they are ill, or when they are recovering from a procedure or surgery. Our goal is to put help put your mind at ease by providing your dog with the care they need while you're away. We provide complete boarding services for pets with a disease or medical condition that requires medication and/or monitoring that some standard boarding facilities may not be equipped to accommodate.
Our friendly and experienced staff at our dog boarding facility are here to provide the care your dog requires while you are on vacation or away from home. We provide standard boarding for healthy dogs who require a safe and friendly environment while you are away. Consider your dog's stay at a kennel to be a vacation for them as well. We will make certain that your dog receives plenty of love and attention in order to keep them happy and content.
Boardig Cats While On Vacation
Boarding and kennels aren't just for dogs, lots of boarding facilities also welcome cats. This is also probably the best option for your pet when you are on vacation.
Boarding facilities should be run by professionals who will make sure your cat is always, fed, watered, supervised, and get's quality one-on-one time. You will also need to call them well in advance to book your cat's stay to ensure they have availability and space for your four-legged companion.
While many cats can have separation anxiety and might be stressed out by being left alone with strangers in an unknown environment, there are steps you can take to lessen their fears such as bringing along their favorite toys, blankets, bed, or even a piece of your clothing. You can also do a trial run to make sure your kitty gets along well at the facility, this also helps make them familiar with the setting.
You should also clearly communicate with the facility to make sure they clearly understand all of your cat's needs and that they offer all of the boarding services you and your cat require.
It is critical that you are at ease with the kennel you have chosen; ensure that it is clean, well-run, and quiet. Check to see if the facility you're considering is cat-friendly, with a separate boarding area for cats and dogs, and that your kitty's kennel is large enough to keep the litter box separate from their food and bed. You should also check to see if it has features like a window for your cat to look out, climate-controlled kennels, and quality one-on-one time with the staff.
Take the time to view the place your kitty will be staying in from their perspective, to make sure your cat will be comfortable and well cared for in your absence.
At East Coweta Veterinary Hospital our boarding facility is cat friendly, and our professional and qualified veterinary team will ensure all of your cat's needs are being met, we will answer any questions you may have and offer trial stays to make sure we are the perfect fit for your pet.
Leaving a Cat at Home While on Vacation
If you provide enough food, freshwater, and toys, most cats will be fine if left alone for one night and may not even notice your absence. Young cats under four months old, as well as breeds like sphynx, Scottish folds, and rag dogs, do best with human company. Kittens under four months old should not be left alone for more than four hours.
We don't recommend leaving your cat alone longer than 24 hours because cats are social creatures that need their owner's attention to feel safe and comfortable. They rely on you to make sure all of their care requirements are being met.
A Cat-Sitter
A good option for when you have to leave your cat at home is to have a cat sitter come in every day to clean the litter box, make sure your furry friend has food and water, and provide them with some quality one-on-one playtime and cuddles.
This option provides your cat with less stress because they are in their own environment and get to use their own litter box, and everything is where they are used to it being. This is also a cost-effective choice, especially if you have more than one kitty.
You can either have a friend or family member that your cat knows come in and take care of them or have a professional come in and watch your four-legged companion.
Having someone your cat is already familiar and comfortable with can also help reduce their stress levels and make them feel more relaxed. On the other hand, a professional sitter knows everything about properly taking care of a cat and can make sure every need is being provided for.
When hiring a pet sitter, make sure they are well-versed in your cat's habits, behaviors, and needs, as each kitty is unique. Tell the sitter what time of day your cat eats, how much food they need, your kitty's energy level, if medications must be given at specific times, and so on. We recommend giving your sitter a kitten care guide so they know exactly how to meet all of your pet's needs.
At a Friend or Relative's House
If your cat is comfortable going to another place you might want to consider leaving them at a friend's or relative's home.
The advantage of this option is that your pet will be constantly monitored and given more attention. However, if they already have a cat with whom your kitty does not get along, or if your feline friend does not like the person with whom they are staying, this can backfire and increase your pet's stress even more than if they were left alone.
If you would like to leave your pet at someone's house we recommend dropping them off for a few days before you leave as a trial stay so you can make sure your kitty gets along alright. If this doesn't work out you will still have time to find another option for your furry companion.
Also make sure the person you are leaving your cat with is able to meet all of your kitty's needs and is willing and eager to perform the task, if not, you may want to find another option.