Planning a trip is exciting until you realize you can’t bring your dog with you. Now what? Do you book a dog boarding facility? Ask a dog sitter to come to your home? Have a friend help out?
Suddenly, you’re not worried about packing your suitcase because you’re too focused on your dog’s comfort, safety, and happiness. Your two main options are dog boarding and dog sitting, but these choices offer very different experiences for your pet.
The right choice depends on your dog’s personality, health, and what kind of trip you’re taking. One isn’t automatically better than the other, so it’s up to you to decide which one is best for your pup.
Let’s break it down simply so you can feel confident in your choice.
Dog Boarding vs. Dog Sitting
Think of boarding like sending your pooch to a doggy hotel and sitting like hiring a babysitter. Both can be great, depending on your dog. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each one entails.
Dog Boarding
- Your dog stays at a kennel or pet boarding facility
- The facility’s staff cares for your dog along with other pets
- They usually feature structured schedules for feeding, walks, and playtime
Dog Sitting
- A pet sitter comes to your home, or your dog stays at the sitter’s house
- Pet sitting typically means your dog gets more one-on-one attention
- Your dog sticks more closely to their routine
A Closer Look at Dog Boarding
Dog boarding means taking your dog to a facility designed for overnight care. These places range from basic kennels to luxury pet resorts with play yards, cameras, bone-shaped pools, and even doggy spa services.
Your dog either sleeps in a kennel or a private room, some of which have outdoor access, and is around other people and dogs. There’s a set schedule for eating, playtime, taking walks, and other activities. Many boarding facilities also offer additional services, such as grooming, extra dedicated play sessions, or training.
Different boarding locations have different procedures. For example, some focus on group play, while others keep pups separated unless supervised. In some cases, you may request that your dog not play with other dogs and have one-on-one play sessions with staff members only.
Pros of Dog Boarding
1. Constant supervision — Most facilities have staff on-site during the day and, in some cases, overnight. Therefore, if something goes wrong, help is close by, and many staff members have pet first-aid training.
2. Socialization opportunities — If your dog loves meeting other dogs, boarding can feel like the doggy equivalent of summer camp.
3. Stick to a schedule — Feeding times and potty breaks follow a set schedule, which helps dogs who thrive on structure.
4. Your home stays secure — You don’t have to give someone access to your house while you’re away. (Although some pet sitters offer the option to watch your dog in their own homes.)
Cons of Dog Boarding
1. New environment stress — Some dogs feel anxious in loud or busy places or in unfamiliar places.
2. Less personal attention — Staff care for many dogs at once, so they need to divide their time and attention among them.
3. Risk of illness — Being around other dogs could potentially expose your dog to germs, even with vaccines.
4. Can be expensive — Extras like private rooms or playtime start to add up — but honestly, they aren’t too far off from some overnight pet sitter rates.
A Closer Look at Hiring a Dog Sitter
Dog sitting usually means someone comes to your home to care for your dog. Many stay overnight, or if you're on a budget, you can hire someone to do drop-in visits a few times a day. Sometimes, your dog stays at the sitter’s home instead.
Your dog can stay in a familiar environment and maintain a similar feeding and walking schedule. Pet sitting also provides more individualized attention.
Pros of Dog Sitting
1. Less stressful for many dogs — Your dog feels safe thanks to the familiar smells, sounds, and routines of home.
2. More personal care — Pets enjoy more one-on-one time.
3. Better for special needs — Dog sitting can often be a better option for older dogs or those with medical conditions that may require specialized care.
4. House gets checked — If the pet sitter stays at your home, you get a built-in house sitter. The sitter is usually willing to bring in mail, water plants, and you don’t have to worry about your home sitting empty while you’re away.
Cons of Dog Sitting
1. Less supervision overall — In the case of drop-in sitters, your pet could be alone for long periods.
2. Trust is required — It could be tricky to find someone that you trust enough to take care of your pet and have full access to your home.
3. The schedule depends on one person — If the sitter gets sick or needs to cancel, you need a backup plan. There are no other staff members to step in and take over.
4. Not ideal for very social dogs — Some dogs love to play with other pups and be around others, so being alone can be tough.
Let Your Dog’s Personality Guide You
Your dog’s personality is the biggest clue to whether you should choose a boarding facility or hire a pet sitter. Overall, boarding works well for dogs who love other dogs, enjoy new places, are adaptable, and have lots of energy.
However, if your pup gets nervous in new places, is older, requires medication, or has special health concerns, a pet sitter might be the better option. Likewise, consider a sitter if your dog prefers people to pets and has a strict routine they must follow.
Your Travel Plans
A dog sitter might be less stressful and easier if you’re just going away for a few days or less. However, if you’re heading off for a week-long vacation or more, boarding offers more structure and constant care.
You also need to consider the time of year you’re traveling. Holiday seasons fill up fast at boarding facilities, and pet sitters book early, too, so make sure to schedule in advance.
Your Budget
Prices vary by location and sitter, and in some cases, the rates can be very similar. However, a lot depends on the options you choose and whether you add any extra services.
Generally, basic dog boarding ranges from $30 to $60 per night, with more luxurious facilities priced at $80 to $150 per night. An overnight pet sitter charges an average of $40 to $100 a night, or you could pay $15 to $30 per drop-in visit.
Questions to Ask Before Making Your Choice
When searching for dog boarding or a pet sitter, it’s always essential to ask the right questions.
For Boarding Facilities:
- Are dogs supervised at all times?
- Do dogs play together or separately?
- What’s the process if my dog gets sick?
- Can I check out the facility?
For Dog Sitters:
- Are you insured or certified?
- How often will you visit?
- Will you stay overnight?
- Can you give medication?
- Can I see references?
Trust your gut. If something feels off, keep looking, avoiding pet sitter red flags, such as poor communication or no references.
Can You Do a Trial Run?
Before you buy a car, you take a test drive, and you typically try on clothes or shoes before you buy them. So, why wouldn’t you want to assess a sitter or boarder before you hire them for an extended period?
A trial run can help you get a feel for a sitter’s abilities and give you a gut check with how you feel about them taking care of your fur baby. Try a short boarding stay or book a sitter for one night. See how your dog reacts and let your fur baby help you make your choice.
Dog Boarding or Pet Sitting, Which Is Right for Your Pup?
Choosing between dog boarding and dog sitting depends on which option is best for your dog. What works great for one pup may not be the way to go for another. Therefore, think about your dog’s personality, your travel plans, and your budget.
Whether your dog is enjoying a luxury pet hotel or staying home with a sitter, the goal is the same. You want a safe, calm experience for your pup until you walk back through the door. Plus, knowing your dog is happy means a better vacation for you since you won’t be worrying about your furry friend.
For more helpful tips about what’s best for your pets, check out the rest of the Neater Pets blog.