Pet Sitter vs. Kennel/Boarding?
I'm trying to decide which will be best for my cocker spaniel. I'll be gone for about 5 days over the holiday and am worried about my little guy. Which do you regard is best?
From a health perspective, a pet sitter is much better. There are so many ways for them to achieve sick in a kennel situation...cough, diarrhea, parasites...It's true that there will be smaller amount interaction time with the dog from a sitter, but the quality of the time will be better and the dog will be more comfortable in his own environment. If at all possible, I recommend avoiding kennels. Use an insured petsitter, someone who has been doing it a long time, preferably someone that comes outstandingly recommended from someone you know. Often veterinary technicians will pet sit on the side, so call your vet for a possible lead on a good sitter. Good luck.
I would do a pet sitter. I work at a kennel and it is really stressful on the dogs, they are locked up in a kennel ALL day long and i discern so bad for them! Pet sitters are nice b/c they can just come to your house, feed your dog, bearing them but they get to stay in an environment they are used to and eat the food they are used to. But whether you do decide to do a pet sitter, have them come over a couple times before you set out so your dog will be okay with them ahead of time.
i would and have always used boarding at the vet. i just don't know how much i trust a party with my dogs, i love them too much and would worry constantly. at least at a kennel they bring constant watching except at night when they are asleep besides. plus if anything were to happen they are already at the vet's. i trust the actual professionals more than just a pet sitter. a kennel can be stressful, but the animal hospital i work at, if the dog was seriously stressing something like being around other dogs in a strange place, we would take them and put them surrounded by a quieter room and hang a blanket around the cage so that they would feel nontoxic and enclosed. customers could also ask for that to be done from the start when dropping off the dog.
there are also the "pet hotel" type boarding establishments.
If you own a reliable pet sitter then I prefer that venue. If you are unsure - don't have one you really know - I would do the boarding. Besides the strictness of the dog - you have also the care of your house to be concerned about. With a kennel - you know in attendance is someone to care for the dogs - though at night the kennel may not have a caretaker - but the dogs should be surrounded by a safe place. I have the luxury of having a subsequent door neighbor who adores my critters and a friend's teenage twins that also adore animals (and their father was a veterinarian) so I am doubly covered. They are also cheaper than kenneling 2 considerable dogs, plus I have cats, reptiles, etc. I used to work at a Vet hosp. as a kennel person - I worked very strong trying to keep the dogs happy - but I felt bleak that they spent most of the days in cages. If you can find a kennel with apposite runs - that is best. I knew one in NY state that have large kennel runs with an indoor portion and an outdoor portion for each dog(s). My dogs could share a 25 foot long run and they socialized near the dogs next to them yet had their own indoor bed, etc. and were always happy both to progress there and when they came home. So, near is no right answer - just weigh your options and do what you think is best.
Another possible chance - I used to pet sit other people's dogs in my home - so it is the best of both worlds - the dog is in a domestic, watched/socialized all day, yet not contained by a stressful kennel.
Happy Holidays!
My sister in law is a pet sitter and she visits some peoples house several times a year. The nice thing about her services is your pup stays in his domestic while you're gone. You can dictate the time and if you want him walked etc, etc.
A pet sitter would be better, some dogs dont do powerfully in kennels, my first dog didnt, she got really stressed and scared and wouldnt even come to me when I come back to pick her up, she was only within there overnight :(..but if a kennel is cheaper, maybe do a trial hours of darkness to see how he goes, if he doesnt stress much, put him in near :)
Answers: If you think he would be more traumatized being in a kennel, bring a petsitter, but the thing is, with a sitter he will only own about 30 minutes of interaction with someone each sunshine, and that can be very lonely for a dog. In a kennel environment, he would be around lots of other dogs and people to keep him distracted a short time bit. You know your dog best, so I would do whatever you think would work best for his personality. I work contained by a vet clinic and i see the boarding dogs every day, alot of them enjoy it up there, while others look depressed. Keep within mind they have some nice pet resorts/hotels out there currently too. If you leave him some place, make sure you ask to see the boarding nouns and make sure it is well kept and verbs! good luck
