Pet Sitting vs. Kennel boarding – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Going away and planning for a trip can be overwhelming enough without having to worry about what to do with your pets while you’re gone. If you’re like me, your pets are family. I can’t simply leave them behind with just anyone.

Before going on my trip I must put my mind at ease and feel confident in the care they will get during my absence. Whether to board or hire a Pet Sitter is one of those questions we’ll need to consider. Adding to the mixed feelings of the moment is the idea that we may not know much about either option.

To help you arrive at an informed conclusion I’ve prepared this list of pros and cons. Or what I’m calling, the good and the bad. I’ll leave out the ugly. Hopefully it’s a fair and impartial list, although you probably know which way I’m going to lean. It should serve as a good starting point for anyone wanting to get more details about either choice.

Pet Sitter or Dog Walker

Good

• If you’re leaving town for any period of time the advantage of having a professionally insured and bonded Pet Sitter to visit your house regularly is an added benefit. A good Pet Sitter or dog walker will watch over your house, turn on or off any lights, bring in the mail, and generally ensure that the house looks lived in. This alone can be a big deterrent to possible burglars and a stress reliever for you.

• A Pet Sitter will most likely have general knowledge of many different kinds of pets and not just cats and dogs. I have cared for birds, turtles, hamsters, fishes, and rabbits, to name a few, and have a very good idea on how to care for each.

• Dogs and cats generally feel safer, less anxious, and more secure in a comfortable and familiar environment as opposed to being transferred to a kennel. My choice has always been, and always will be, to leave my dogs in their home.

• Pets can get extra play time and individual attention with a Pet Sitter without the extra charge that is often billed at kennels.

• A Professional Pet Sitter or Dog Walker will be First Aid and CPR certified and qualified to deal with most emergencies as well as be able to administer medication on a regular schedule.

• Certain pets such as puppies, kittens, seniors or disabled dogs, or those on medication may require a more regulated schedule and intense care and supervision. They may also undergo a fair amount of stress in kennel environments.

• A dog who has separation issues or is reactive to other dogs will certainly be better off with a Pet Sitter than in a kennel.

Bad

• A dog that does not take well with other humans, at least initially, will have a difficult time adjusting to a stranger.
• Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers charge by the hour or by 30 to 15 minutes increments of time. This can add up and ultimately become pricier than boarding.
• Pet Sitting is a very easy business to set up with very little restrictions. This means that in the mix with some highly qualified, caring, responsible, care providers you’re also bound to find many unprofessional, uneducated, smooth talkers who are looking to make a quick buck. Do your research

Kennel

Good

• Some of the newer kennels are more like resorts for your pet and operate very differently than the old variety of kennels.
• Some dogs do very well in kennels and love the interaction with other dogs.

Bad

• Some dogs do not take well to a kennel environment. They may not even eat much during their stay since their anxiety can reach a very high level.
• Many kennels are old and in need of major upgrades. Some look no different then dog shelters of 15 to 20 years ago.
• Pets at kennels are open to contracting and being exposed to infections and viruses such as Kennel cough, distemper, and other intestinal parasites.
• While some kennels can be professional operations, many others are not and can go a long way towards worsening any fear or anxiousness or separation issues a dog may already have.
• A busy kennel can be loud and high energy. This can overstimulate your dog and contribute to heightened stress levels.
• Staffs at kennels are not always properly educated in dog behavior and body language making them unable to detect when a dog is giving off signs that indicate stress and anxiety.
• Not every dog or cat gets the attention they require. Some are left alone for extended periods of time in highly stressful environments. In some cases added attention or play time are billed as extras.
• Cats are typically far more stressed at kennels then they are in their own homes.

Ideally you want to select a service which you feel is the best option for your pet. Hopefully, this will be a decision that will not be determined solely based on price, although it is a consideration.

I’ll address the specifics of what makes a good Pet care provider and what to look for during your first meeting and initial consultation in a later post. For now, keep in mind these simple points when making your decision regarding your pets care.