Pet Sitting vs Kennel Boarding

Pet Sitter

Good

• If you’re leaving town for any period of time the advantage of having a professional Pet Sitter to visit your house regularly is an added benefit. A good Pet Sitter 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.

• 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.

• 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 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.

• 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 per visit 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.

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.

• Kennel boarding can be a better option for cat owners as cats tend to stray easily when left for long periods.

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 prone 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 over stimulate 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.