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The holidays are just around the corner, and you're starting to feel the chill in the air as well as the excitement. Your pets, though, don't seem as pleased. They know you're leaving for a vacation, and they're wondering if you're going to board them again.
While there are many wonderful boarding facilities that do their absolute best to care for your kitty or pup while you're away, there are some questionable ones as well. Whether you've traveled without your pet several times or this is your first expedition away from your companion, it pays to know your options. Read through our guide to learn about a few alternatives to booking a room for your animal friend.
Common Concerns When Boarding Your Pet
Is boarding right for your family? Pet owners often wonder if their canine or feline companions will be upset with the owners for boarding them — and whether they will recognize them when they come back.
First, your cat or dog certainly will not forget you! Second, while your pet won't be mad at you, depending on his or her personality, he or she may feel anxious or depressed when spending time in a strange place or with unfamiliar animals. Other concerns you have for your pet during this transition may include the following:
• Personality: Some pets get along with everybody. Others take a while to warm up to the idea of a kennel or boarding facility, but they eventually come out of their shells. A few pets simply cannot be boarded. Perhaps they're rescues who grew up in a traumatic situation, or maybe they're just very sensitive to new sights and smells.
• Medical needs: Pets with complex medical needs are likely better off boarding with a vet, if at all. Consider leaving this type of pet in the care of a trusted friend or family member who can provide full-time care (and transport to the vet's office) if needed.
• Age: Many boarding facilities won't take puppies and kittens who have not received their first full set of vaccinations. Others may recommend that you don't board an older, anxious pet unless it's absolutely necessary. Older pets who are used to being at home — and nowhere else — can be unjustly stressed by the transition to the boarding place and back home again.
• Neutering or spaying status: If your pet has not been spayed or neutered, you may not be able to board him or her even if you want to. Some facilities give a hard "no" to female animals in heat as well as mature males who have not yet been neutered.
5 Alternatives To Boarding Your Pet During the Holidays
You've decided against boarding your pet during your vacation. Now what? Consider these five alternatives to booking a room in a boarding facility for your dog or cat.
1. Bring Your Pet With You
The first solution could be obvious: Bring your pup or kitty with you! If you've got a friendly dog who gets along well with family members and other pets, this might be the answer to your problem.
Ask first, of course, if your pet can stay at someone else's home. Consider bringing along your pet's favorite toy or purchasing a new bed that your pet can use during the vacation.
2. Ask a Friend To Check on Your Pet
If you've decided the best solution is to leave your pet at home, consider asking a friend to look in on your pet from time to time. This option may work better with a more independent animal, such as an adult who thrives when home alone, than a puppy in need of more consistent attention.
An alternative option would be asking a friend to stay at your house or keep your pet at his or her house while you're away. Be prepared to pack a bag, including a few of your pooch's favorite pouches of food or treats, for your animal friend!
3. Hire a Licensed Pet Sitter
A licensed pet sitter can check on your pet a few times a day, give medicine in your pet's favorite pill pockets, and ensure that your pet sticks to his or her usual routine. This person can also act as a house sitter (depending on who you hire). It's very important to ensure that your pet sitter is licensed and that he or she has experience caring for your type of dog or cat.
4. Book a House Sitter
A house sitter can be a friend, a college student, or an acquaintance you trust who is seeking to earn extra money over the holiday season. Leaving your home and your pet with a trusted individual can allow you to travel without feeling guilty that you're leaving your pet in the care of strangers. Have your house sitter offer your pet a delicious treat to encourage bonding.
5. Consider a Pet Hotel
A pet hotel is basically a nicer, cushier version of a boarding facility. These places may offer amenities such as grooming, walking, and personalized attention. If you choose a hotel for your pet, be sure to bring a blanket or toy that feels like home, and consider using a calming chew to ease your pet's stress in a new location.
Browse Baxter Boo's Products to Learn More
With a vacation to plan and a pet or two to make plans for, you're probably very busy! Browse through our product listings and get in touch if you need help choosing a new sweater, a soft bed, or any other travel supplies you need to ease your pet into the idea of the holiday season.
