Pet Sitting vs Pet Boarding: Which is Better for Your Dog or Cat?

Imagine this: you're all set for an urgent business trip tomorrow, bags packed, pet at your side, and then it hits you – the hotel isn't pet-friendly!
The majority of pet owners would recommend you pick between two different approaches. There are two options available to you: either hire a pet sitter for the week or board your pet at a facility that is located close to you.
Quite the opposite to what most people believe, the terms "pet sitting" and "pet boarding" are not interchangeable in any way.
It has come to surprise me that a great number of individuals use them interchangeably; however, this is not the reality, and the two terms in question refer to two entirely distinct approaches. Pet sitting is similar to babysitting in that it involves a pet sitter going to the home of a person in order to take care of their pet. When you board your pet, on the other hand, you are sending your pet to the property or facility of another individual so that they can watch over your pet.
Both of these approaches are common, particularly in situations where pet owners require someone to watch over their animals while they are away. On the other hand, which of the two approaches is better suited to meet the pet care requirements that you and your dog have? Are you curious about ways to cut costs? Are you looking for the best service for your pets, or are you planning to treat it like a king so that it won't have to worry about you leaving? The decision you make will be determined by these aspects.
As someone who has worked within the world of pet sitting and pet boarding for the past decade, I will discuss the distinctions between pet sitters and boarding and provide some additional information regarding the similarities and differences between the two. From there, it is possible that you will be able to acquire a great deal more knowledge about the subject matter and arrive at the appropriate choice when the time comes.

PET SITTING

Referring to what was explained earlier in the article, this is the process by which a pet sitter visits the residence of their client in order to take care of their dog in the same manner that a babysitter would perform. The pet sitter may only be there for a single day, or they may stay for several nights in order to keep an eye on your animal companion.

Let's start with how pet sitting outpaces pet boarding.

To begin, it is obvious that the pet-sitter will be primarily concerned with your animal companion. I am not implying that doggy day care doesn't pay attention to your pet; rather, I am merely stating that boarders and boarding facilities typically take in a number of other pets as well, and all of these pets require attention. Pet sitters will play and interact with your pets, keep up with their feeding times, do some dog walking and make them their top priority. This might cost more if you request this service at a facility and it won't be in an open play environment.
The fact that your pet does not have to adjust to a new environment and you can rest easy knowing they are in their own home is yet another significant advantage that comes to mind when considering this. This means that your pet will be able to enjoy all of its favorite treats, meals, toys, bedding, and relax and play in the comfort of its own home.

A sudden change in environment, as well as the presence of unfamiliar people who are responsible for the care of your pet, can be a very stressful factor for your dog to adjust to. Let us put ourselves in the position of our cat or dog. Wouldn't you be freaked out if abrupt shifts occurred in your house and the members of your family changed overnight? A pet will experience this feeling whenever it is required to adjust to a new environment, particularly when it is being housed in a boarding facility.

Because they are at home, your pets are less likely to contract diseases that are transmitted from the outside world, which are caused by factors such as the environment or other animals. In the event that you are concerned, you can always provide your pet sitter with relevant instructions regarding where to walk the pet, who to interact with, and any other pertinent instructions. When you board your pet, you are not able to dictate how the staff will care for your pet; the majority of decisions, with the exception of food, are left up to them.
The final advantage that comes to mind is the fact that you wouldn't have to worry about leaving your house unattended while you are away. Having a pet sitter around the house will at least guarantee that someone will be keeping an eye on your home and that they will be able to notify you immediately in the event that something goes wrong or if there is an emergency. Emergencies may be caused by the pet, or they may be caused by something that occurs within the house, such as a robbery, power problems, or such.

There are some cons when considering pet sitting vs pet boarding.

When it comes to pet sitting, the most significant factor that can be a deterrent is typically the higher prices charged. Considering that pet sitting is a more personal service than boarding your pet, which is typically a significantly more expensive option, this is certainly understandable. In the same way that any other service would be more expensive, a one-on-one session will unquestionably be more expensive than a group session.
There is also the possibility that your pet could be a threat. Not only will life be challenging for your pet, but it will also be challenging for the pet sitter if your pet does not feel comfortable in the house when they are around strangers. Even though your pet is in a welcoming environment, leaving it alone with a stranger for an extended period of time is sure to bring about a sense of unease within the mind of a pet. If you do decide to send it to a daycare facility, however, this would still be a problem for you to deal with. This con is, therefore, unavoidable in the majority of situations.

Important factors to keep in mind when choosing a sitter

It is important to hire a pet sitter who is both reliable and experienced. It is strongly recommended that you do not hire any pet sitter simply because they are charging extremely low fees. Before you make a decision, it is important to begin by conducting research on the history of the pet sitter. When you make your choice, you should not leave any room for uncertainty.
In a situation when you do not feel completely at ease with your decision, what gives you the confidence that your pets will be at peace with your choice?
One more thing that should be taken into consideration is the instructions that you provide to the pet sitter. It is of the highest priority that you provide your pet sitter with a comprehensive explanation of your instructions. Take the necessary steps to ensure that they absorb all of your guidelines and that they follow them.
Instructions that you could give to your pet sitter could include, but are not limited to, the following: what kinds of food to give the dog or cat, the health conditions of the pet and how to deal with them, to call you if something specific occurs, to take it out for a walk three times a day at specific times, and so on. If you want to be absolutely certain, you should either write it down or send it to him or her via text message for his or her reference. This way, there is no 'forgetting' as an excuse.

PET BOARDING

When you board your pet, you are sending it to a facility or house where it will be cared for by trained professionals for the duration of its stay, along with other animals that are also staying there. When compared to the option of hiring a personal pet sitter, this choice is typically more cost-effective; however, it is not without its share of drawbacks.
House boarding and facility boarding, also known as veterinary office or pet hotel boarding, are the two categories of pet boarding that accommodate overnight boarding. In both cases, your pet will be placed in the care of a caregiver; however, the manner in which they function is completely different, and each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits of Boarding Your Pet

The first thing to note is that, in comparison to in-home pet care, boarding a pet is typically a much more affordable alternative. However, this can vary. One of the reasons why this is the case is that its not exactly a service that is considered to be very personal. Due to the fact that all of the guests at the boarding facility adhere to the same predetermined routine for the sake of the facility's convenience, you do not have much of a say in the routine that your pet follows or how much playtime they get.
One additional advantage of boarding your pet is that it will have the opportunity to interact with other animals. If you choose to let your pet stay at home with only your pet sitter for company, it will have the opportunity to interact with other animals and gain some valuable social time while you are away.
One of the advantages that you should take into consideration is that the individuals with whom you are interacting will almost certainly be qualified professionals. Individuals who are in charge of or employed by these trusted pet boarding facilities are typically highly qualified professionals who have undergone extensive training for a considerable amount of time before being accepted into the facility.
It is unfortunate that this is where the benefits end when compared to the benefits of pet sitting.

Disadvantages of Pet Boarding

The first disadvantage that I will discuss is the manner in which your pet interacts with other animals that are kept at the boarding facility. At times, there is a possibility that your pet could become infected with an external infection or disease that is transmitted by other animals. In spite of the fact that this isn't very common, the likelihood of it happening is significantly higher than if you were to hire a regular pet sitter to come to your neighborhood.
The stress that you put your pet through is a much more significant disadvantage than the first one. Despite the fact that many people who own pets fail to recognize this fact, it is highly likely that a pet will experience a great deal of stress when it is abruptly placed in a new environment to live in.
For your reference, I will provide you with an example. Just step into the mindset of your pet for a minute. In addition to the fact that your "house" has shrunk and is now home to other dogs, some of your "family members" are present who you have never met before in your entire life. When a dog has an overnight stay, it experiences feelings of shock and confusion that are very similar to those that a person would experience in that situation. Doesn't that make you anxious?

One more disadvantage that comes to mind when it comes to pet boarding is the fact that none of the pets will be given special or prioritized treatment over other pets unless you pay additional money for that. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you hire a pet sitter instead that is up for doing some dog walking or nail trims during your pet's stay. Although it will be slightly more expensive, your pet will not have to go through the stress of adjusting to the new environment.

Due to the fact that it is a facility, there is a greater possibility that an extreme accident will take place. A significant number of establishments do not provide round-the-clock assistance to their guests. In most cases, only one employee remains at the facility to keep an eye on things while the rest of the staff members go home. On the other hand, this is obviously a very risky situation because a pet facility is significantly larger than a house, and the facility houses a large number of animals.

House Boarding Compared To Facility Boarding

When contrasted with facility boarding, house boarding presents an entirely different picture. It is possible that the caretakers are not always professionals; however, it is more likely that they provide their services out of a sense of passion rather than for financial gain. When compared to facility boarding, house boarding is, without a doubt, a little bit more expensive; however, it offers a great deal more advantages than the latter.
It is not necessary for your pets to be concerned about being left alone because the majority of house boarding facilities will only accept a limited number of pets at any given time. In addition to receiving the attention that they require, they will be able to interact with other people comfortably. Due to the fact that there are fewer pets than in a typical kennel or facility, your pet has an even lower risk of contracting any diseases. This is an obvious additional advantage of this arrangement.
When compared to boarding services, house boarding offers a degree of customization that is not available with boarding services. This is yet another advantage of house boarding. When compared to a regular facility, which will either charge you additional fees or flat-out refuse your request, a house boarding caretaker will be more likely to accommodate specific requests.
When compared to facility boarding, the only significant disadvantage of house boarding could be the cost of the arrangement. Having said that, the well-being of your pet is far more important than the amount of money you pay for it. As a matter of fact, some people view house pet boarding as a hobby rather than a job, and as a result, they set their prices lower in order to provide superior service. Don't let your guard down!
One could argue that another potential disadvantage is the possibility of a pet escaping due to the carelessness of certain caregivers. This is a possibility that could be considered a potential drawback. It is, however, an extremely uncommon occurrence and the majority of pets will be safe in the environment of their own homes.

Important Factors When Boarding

If we are being completely honest, house boarding is a significantly superior alternative to facility boarding. It was mentioned earlier that the house will give the pet a more "homey" feeling, which will make it slightly easier for them to adjust to their new environment.
As has been mentioned, the majority of facilities that board pets (this may also apply to house boarding in some cases) will have health requirements regarding their pets. The majority of facilities that board pets will require their pets to be healthy, to be de-fleaed, to be well kept, and to be vaccinated. However, in order for the pet boarding facility to accept your pet, you might be required to provide some documentation or proof that your pet has received these vaccinations. Because they do not want to take the risk of feeding your pet foods that it is unable to consume, the majority of pet boarding facilities will also require you to bring your own food if you want to board your pet there.
When compared to other forms of lodging, house boarding is unquestionably less dangerous. On the other hand, you shouldn't just throw your poor pet into the living quarters of a random caretaker simply because it is inexpensive. When it comes to making a decision, research is essential, just like it is for everything else.
Make sure that you get to know the person who will be taking care of your pet before you decide to board them at their private residence. Would he or she be the kind of person who would be willing to go to great lengths for the sake of your pet, such as allowing your pet to sleep on his or her bed when they are feeling anxious? Ensure they are reliable and that they will do everything in his power to be there for the pets around the clock.
Pay a visit to the residence of a person if you are able to do so in order to get a better sense of the atmosphere there. Does it meet the requirements for your pet? Are there sufficient areas, both indoors and outdoors, for your pet to run around in?
One more thing to take into consideration is the other guests who are staying at the house of the pet boarder. What kinds of animals does he or she take in on a daily basis from the community? I strongly advise you to select a person who is only able to look after a maximum of four pets at any given time. There is no better way to ensure your safety. If you do anything more than that, I can assure you that you will discover that the location in question is experiencing the same issues as facility boarding.