Where to Leave a Dog While on Vacation?

You love your canine companion, but there are times when you travel and can't bring them along with you. So who will take care of your dog while you're away? Here, our Boynton Beach vets share advice on what to do with your dog while you travel.

Leaving Your Dog For a Number of Days

The question of where to leave your dog while you are on vacation or away from home can be a bit of a difficult one to answer. Whether you are heading out for vacation for a couple of weeks or are off on a business trip for a few days, you will need to make sure that you find appropriate care for your canine companion.

At Coral Breeze Animal Hospital, our vets understand that deciding the kind of care that works best for you and your pet may be quite challenging, but doing some research into the options available to you and the kind of features each of the services offers will set you and your canine companion up for success.

Dog Boarding For Vacation or Time Away from Home

While it's true that pet boarding facilities at one point were often dingy and grim-looking places that kept animals locked in cages for long periods of time, times have changed and so has the standard for pet boarding!

These days your dog can be pampered and have fun socializing and playing while you're away. Kennels are kept clean and fresh-smelling, and dogs are treated to plenty of love and attention.

Today's animal boarding facilities range 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 trying to decide what boarding facility to bring your dog to, make sure that you check out a few different places in your area to find a facility that best suits the needs of your pet (as well as your wallet).

Facility Features

Price is often a general indicator of the level of services that are provided at a given boarding facility. If your dog is treated to hotel-like spaces with comfy sofas, you're going to pay more than if you board your pet at a standard facility with roomy crates and a fenced run.

If you want your pup to enjoy an active 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.

While you are narrowing 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.

Choosing The Level of Service That's Right for Your Dog

Pet care while for 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 care for dogs at most pet boarding facilities includes:

• Evening bathroom break
• Breakfast served in the kennel
• Dinner served in the kennel
• A clean, roomy kennel for your pup to sleep in
• Exercise time outdoors before breakfast so your dog can stretch their legs
• Out of kennel playtime in the middle of the day to allow your pooch to burn some energy

Other services commonly available at pet boarding facilities:

Are you looking for something that is a bit more special than a standard boarding facility, some facilities also offer the following services:

The Pros & Cons of Boarding Your Dog While You're On Vacation

• Pros: Pet boarding provides your pet with a standardized daily routine that many dogs crave including meal times and exercise times on a regular schedule. Boarding also gives pets an opportunity to socialize with other animals. If your dog has a medical issue that requires medications or treatments, facilities with onsite vets and a team of veterinary professionals may be right for your pet while you're away.
• Cons: Being away from home can be difficult for some animals. They may become nervous or anxious in new environments and this may cause altercations with other animals during playtime. Pets in boarding facilities also face an increased risk of catching contagious diseases like kennel cough even if they are vaccinated. 

Hiring a Dog Sitter

When interviewing for a dog sitter be sure to request a list of references as well as a list of qualifications. How much you will pay for a pet sitter will depend upon the level of service you choose for your pet.

Dog sitters can also help to protect your home by keeping your place looking lived-in to passers-by. Hiring a live-in pet sitter can also allow you to test assured that someone is caring for your home.

Extra Services Available From Some Pet Sitters:

If your dog requires more care than just feeding and being let out a few times a day, some pet sitters offer additional services such as:

The Pros & Cons of Hiring a Pet Sitter

• Pros: The major benefit of hiring a pet sitter is that your dog may find it much less stressful to stay at home while you are away. Other benefits of hiring a sitter include increased security of having someone in your home. Not only this,s but pet sitters can also be a bit less expensive than certain boarding facilities. 
• Cons: Bringing a stranger into your home to care for your pooch can be uncomfortable, and certainly isn't for everyone. You may also find that popular dog sitters in your area book up very quickly and may not be available when you need them, particularly at peak holiday times such as March break.

Making the Right Choice of Kennel for Your Dog While You Are on Vacation

Pet parents often experience anxiety about leaving their dog while on vacation. Finding the right dog care for your vacation will ultimately come down to personal preference, price and availability in your neighborhood. With a little research into the services available in your area, you will be able to find just the right level of care for your fur baby, at a price you can afford.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Is it time for your dog to have their shots? Contact our Boynton Beach vets today to book a vaccine appointment for your pup.