If you plan to travel soon or make traveling a regular part of your life, determining what to do with your pet is one of the most significant choices you can make. Many families prefer a pet sitter while traveling due to the numerous advantages of this service over alternatives such as boarding.
The benefits of pet sitting range from more personalized attention to consistency in care and more. Professional pet sitters can give you peace of mind, whether you need cat sitting or dog sitting during your extended time away from home. As you consider your specific needs and expectations, be sure to keep the following points in mind.
| In this blog, we cover reasons why professional pet sitters are the top choice for many families, how boarding facilities can let your pet down in terms of quality of care, and why pets are often healthier and happier in their home environment. |
The Advantages of a Professional Pet Sitter
Professional pet sitters provide care that traditional boarding often lacks. If you are still deciding whether pet sitting is a good fit for your dog or cat, it is a great idea to familiarize yourself with the main benefits that owners commonly report.
Consistency
Pets are happiest and at their best on a consistent schedule. Having a reliable and predictable cadence for sleeping, eating, and exercising helps alleviate stress and anxiety that can sometimes flare up when their owners are away. By using a pet-sitting service, you maintain the consistent routine that your pet has learned, which helps them cope well with your absence.
Companionship
Most pets are social creatures, and spending time alone or in a new location can cause stress. The best pet-sitting services offer meet-and-greet opportunities before their actual dates of service; as a result, your furry friend can get acquainted with the familiar face who will keep them company while you are away.
Safety
Dog-sitting services provide a level of safety that other types of care do not. Your pet will remain in your home, which is a familiar environment where they already understand their safe spaces and boundaries. Your sitter will check in regularly to monitor your pet according to your instructions.
Personalization
Personalized pet care can keep your animal feeling calm and happy. Some pets enjoy playing with specific toys or taking certain routes on a walk. Pet sitters honor these requests, so you can always be sure that your pet is receiving care that matches what you would provide yourself.
In addition, some pets have special needs. Medication or anxiety needs to be managed with care, and pet sitters can follow your instructions or administer medicines as necessary. Be sure to choose a team with training in important medical skills such as pet CPR.
Why Not a Boarding Facility?
In-home pet care is the choice of many families because boarding does not offer the same advantages. Some of the pitfalls of leaving your pet at a boarding facility include:
Lack of supervision
Pets in boarding facilities may be left unsupervised because staff must attend to numerous pets simultaneously, often in multiple rooms. During this time, your pet could be injured or get into a conflict with another pet. Because employees are so busy, you may even need to pay extra if you would like your pet to receive certain care, such as medications or personal playtime.
Exposure to unpredictable dog behaviors
You cannot control which animals (and people) your pet will encounter at a boarding facility. This factor can lead to confrontations or even injury. With you gone, the boarding facility may be forced to seek veterinary treatment from a professional you do not know in order to address wounds such as bites. If your dog is harassed or attacked at a facility, they may lose trust in other pets, even after you return home.
Exposure to illness
Boarding facilities are potential hotspots for illnesses, including fleas and kennel cough. Even if your pet is vaccinated, they may still be susceptible to sickness while at a boarding location. Pet boarding alternatives, such as in-home pet sitting, reduce exposure to issues such as these.
Work With Experienced Pet Sitters You Can Trust
As you consider trusted pet care services to care for your furry friend during your absence, remember the effects that a familiar environment and a predictable routine can have on your pet’s well-being. The professional pet sitters at Paw Pals are all trained in pet CPR to keep your animal safe, and we adhere to your personalized instructions so your pet stays on their normal routine.
From medication administration to which toy is their favorite, your pet will receive the care they need. Contact Paw Pals to schedule a meet-and-greet!
