Dog Sitting While On Vacation

Leave Your Dog With A Professional Pet Sitter:

If there’s no one close to you who can take care of your dog for as long as a month, a pet sitter is another comfortable alternative to a kennel. You can find a sitter by searching professional pet care websites, house care sites or classifieds or ask your veterinarian for professional recommendations. Make sure the sitter you choose is certified, and you spend some time with him or her before you leave, so your dog can become accustomed to the person. Whether you leave your pup with the pet sitter or the sitter stays in your house is up to you and the professional. While your friends and family might care for your dog without a fee or for a cheaper price, this option will cost you more, but it’s worth it for quality care.

Find A Small Animal Boarding

If you cannot seem to find anyone who would be able to take your hamster or check on them on daily basis, your best plan B would be to find a small animal boarding that will take care of your pet properly while you are away. You can easily find institutions that provide temporary homes for animals while their owners are not at home. The employees might also provide services for visiting your pet at your home while you are away, so you should ask if this seems more convenient for you.

Pet Sitting While On Vacation

If you dont have a family member close to you or willing to travel to help take care of your dog, there still is the option to have someone else come look after your pup in your home while youre out of town.

There are plenty of companies, like Release the Hounds, that not only offer dog sitting while youre gone, but also are willing to provide household services like getting your mail, watering your plants, and more. It will give you complete peace of mind knowing that there are experienced professionals not only caring for your dog but also for your home during the time that youre gone.

Make sure to acquaint your dog with the person prior to having them stay there and also leave detailed instructions even if you think youre going information overload it will help the sitter and also make you feel more comfortable knowing that theyre prepared with a document to reference in case any questions should come up and youre unreachable. This can include food and potty routines, any medicine administration, favorite toys, sleeping habits, and especially a veterinarian contact. The more information the better.

Also make sure that you have a reliable way to communicate with the pet sitter. More often than not youll want to get daily updates and pictures to see what fun your dog is having!

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Take Your Pet With You

Taking your pet with you may be a good option if youre traveling by motorhome or car, or if youre planning to stay in one place for a long time. Be careful with border requirements for pets entering a new country. Some countries, like England, have long quarantine periods for animals entering the country. Other countries are less strict, and only require proof of vaccinations and a certificate of good health from a veterinarian.

Find Proper Care For Your Hamster

The most convenient thing would be to find someone who will be okay with checking on your hamster daily. Hamsters are quite independent, meaning they do not require a lot in order to stay in good shape while their owner is not at home.

Therefore, you can find someone who you feel comfortable coming to your house and replacing the water and food supply for your pet. You will just have to clean the cage thoroughly before you go, and the person you find for taking care of your pet will just need to do the replacements and spend some time with your hamster to assure that everything is okay. Also, you might ask a friend or relative to take your hamster to their homes, so they will not have the obligation to come to your home every day, and you will not worry about your pet being alone.

However, some people do not feel comfortable with having a pet inside their homes, so you might have to be satisfied with only daily checking on your pet instead of a temporary home for them.

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Leave Your Dog Home With A Dog Sitter

If there is someone that you trust to stay in your home, this is a great choice for your dogs .

Your dogs routine will change very little, and they will likely receive top notch care. Having someone in your home while youre away will also minimize security risks.

Friends and family members make great house and pet sitters, but you can also hire a professional.

In the USA, you can hire a certified pet sitter from the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, whose members have a reputation for ethical behavior and professionalism.

The downside to professional pet sitters? Theyre relatively expensive.

Trust The Person Who Cares For Your Pup

Elizabeth Brownfield is a writer, editor, and researcher with more than 20 years of experiencing in publishing, specializing in food, travel, home, and lifestyle content. She’s worked on the staffs of Domino, Martha Stewart, Metropolitan Home, and Every Day with Rachael Ray magazines, and was Senior Digital Editor at Food Network.

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In years past, hiring a dog walker probably involved asking your neighbor for a favor or posting on Craigslist. Today, its far more high-tech, with dozens of online platforms dedicated to the sole task of connecting you with the perfect temporary caregiver for your four-legged friend. Of course, the main priority is finding someone you trust who can make sure your pup doesn’t miss you too much.

Not sure where to start? Weve rounded up our favorite dog sitting services, each of which makes it easy to find the perfect sitter in a couple of clicks.

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Asking Someone To Check In On Your Dog Periodically

Asking a reliable person to stop by your house a few times a day to feed, potty, and play with your dog seems like an easy option. This can often be the cheapest of routes, but often does not provide as high of care as he is used to receiving.

Having a caretaker stop in occasionally isnt always convenient for them, so your dogs schedule might get interrupted. This becomes problematic for dogs that are used to routines like eating or going outside at the same time everyday. And if he is used to someone being around when he sleeps at night, it could also upset his sleep routine.

If your dog is not used to being home alone, he could develop anxiety or depression and seem distant when you return home after your trip. He might also act out and tear the house up as punishment for leaving him home alone. If you are concerned about bad behavior as a result of separation anxiety, please consider one of the other house sitting options.

If you decide to rely on someone to come to your home periodically and take care of your dog, make sure it is someone you can really trust and count on to follow through. Choose someone that can devote a good amount of their time to stay and play with him, so he remains happy and active. Typically it is most helpful to choose someone that lives within a very short distance of your home so that they can quickly check in on your dog under certain circumstances such as bad weather.

Leaving Your Dog For Three Days

Planning a long weekend for a holiday or just a much-needed escape? Whether you’re getting away to the nearest beach, finally tackling that tourist attraction you’ve never made it to, or cozying up to a campfire in the mountains, you should enjoy your time away while resting assured your dog is okay. Preparing to leave your pup during a three-day trip won’t be too different from leaving for a day or two.

You’ll find it easiest to recruit someone to stop in a couple times a day to check on food, water, offer plenty of love and provide potty breaks. If you can’t find a friend willing to watch your dog occasionally, consider hiring a trained, certified pet sitter.

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Obviously The Good Will Only Come With The Bad Here Are The Cons Of Pet Sitting Compared To Pet Boarding

The most notable turn off when it comes to pet sitting is usually the high prices being charged. This is understandable as pet sitting is a personal service, unlike boarding your pet, which is often times significantly cheaper. Just like any other service, a 1 on 1 session will definitely be more expensive than a group session.

Another con would depend on your pet itself. If your pet is not comfortable in the house around strangers- life is going to be difficult for both your pet and the pet sitter. Although your pet is in a friendly environment, leaving it alone with a stranger for too long is sure to cause alarm within a pets mind. But then again, this would still be an issue if you do decide to send it to pet boarding. So yes, this con is unavoidable in most cases.

Either way, do your research.

What To Do With Your Pets When You Go On Vacation

As the owners of a loving, older cat and former dog owners, we know all too well the hassle of trying to figure out what to do with our pet while we travel.

Whether youre gone a week or six months there are three main options for your pet when youre on vacation. You can have someone take care of your pet in your house, have your pet go to someone elses place or take your pet with you. What you do with them depends on how long youre traveling, how much money youre willing to spend and how much you trust others to take care of your extended family.

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Tips For Leaving Your Dog While On Vacation

Sure, youre going to miss your best friend while you travel, but you also want to be able to relax and enjoy your vacation.

Here are a few suggestions to make leaving your dog just a little bit easier.

• Write down your dogs schedule for the sitter. Kennels will likely stick to their own schedules, but a sitter can be more flexible. It will be helpful for them to know when your dog wakes in the morning, takes bathroom breaks, eats meals, and goes for walks. This way they can stick as close to your dogs normal routine as possible.
• Theres no need for long goodbyes. Get your vacation off to a good start by scratching your dog behind the ears and heading out to enjoy yourself. If you leave with confidence, you will set the tone for a good vacation for you and your dog.
• Dont worry about your dog while youre away. Dogs dont have the same concept of time as humans. Whether youre gone for an hour or a week, your pup will greet you enthusiastically when you return. To them, its not so much that youre leaving its that youre coming back.

Turn To The Gig Economy

New gig economy opportunities let motivated side hustlers increase their monthly income and work on their own schedule. However, the gig economy also helps people save money on services ranging from food delivery to pet care.

Two companies that dominate the pet space are Rover and Wag. Both platforms specialize in dog care, although Rover also caters to cat owners. Both Rover and Wag let you hire pet-friendly people in your area to help with pet-care jobs like:

• Daily walking
• Pet boarding
• Doggy day care

In other words, you can hire a Rover or Wag independent contractor to check in on your pet, stay at your home, or provide boarding while youre away. Your preferences will determine what you feel most comfortable with, and some options are more affordable than others.

Drop-in visits and daily walking suffice if youre only away for a night or weekend. For longer trips, youll need to hire someone who offers housesitting or boarding as one of their services.

According to Rover, in-home boarding generally costs $35 per night. However, your dogs size and competition between gig workers in your area influence prices. If you have a small dog in a popular Rover city, you can find boarding services starting at around $20 per night. In-house sitters charge similar amounts. Wag works with the same supply-and-demand model because pet caretakers set their own rates. Ultimately, both are low-cost options that are much cheaper than pet hotels and most kennels.

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Dog Sitting At The Caretakers Home

You also have the option of asking a friend or relative to let your dog stay over at their house. This puts less pressure on your friends and relatives because they will be able to sleep in their own beds and keep their own routines. This can be a great option for both your caretaker and your dog, especially if they have already met and are familiar with one another.

Remember to be considerate when choosing this option because not all dogs are comfortable away from home when youre not there and might act out. This could make for an awkward situation with your caretaker when you come home. Consider taking your pup to the caretakers home well before your trip to get used to the people and surroundings in the new house and reduce his anxiety at the time of the trip. It is also important to do a meet-and-greet with the caretakers pets, if they have dogs, cats or other animals already living in their home.

Be sure to make a checklist of things to send with your dog to the dog sitters home prior to your trip. This could include basics like their bed, food bowl and dog food, but also include a favorite toy or a comfort item like one of your worn t-shirts. And just like having a caretaker stay at your home, make sure they have detailed instructions on providing care for your dog, including any and all emergency contact information.

What Happens If Theres An Emergency While Im Gone

Be prepared before you leave for your vacation. Leave your vets contact information and pets medication schedule with your pet sitter.

If you have a pet with medical issues, we recommend asking someone to stay on your property or hiring a pet sitter to keep your pet in their home while youre gone.

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What Are My Pet Care Options When I Go On Vacation

Jul 15, 2020 | cats, dogs, pet care, pet sitting, pets, Plymouth MA |

Have you ever planned an exciting trip to get away from it all only to be faced with the dilemma of what do I do with the Dog/Cat? The difficulty of leaving your pets behind during a family vacation or weekend getaway is one of the number one reasons people decide not to travel. The pet parent guilt of leaving your fur baby behind can be tough to overcome. Knowing your pet care options before going away will help you to make the right choice for you and your pet. Choosing the right pet care option is the key to peace of mind while on vacation!

Before you start the search for pet care there are a few questions you want to answer for yourself and your pet.

• Where will my pet be most comfortable?
• How much care does my pet need daily?
• Does my dog/cat get along with strangers ?
• What is my budget for pet care?
• What will give me the most peace of mind while I am away?

Options For Boarding Your Dog When You Go Out Of Town

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Your dog depends on you for his happiness and comfort, and you want the best care possible for him. If you have to be away from home for an extended period of time and cant take him with you, its important for you to find a place that will look after him and care for his needs. Consider these options before making your decision, so you can enjoy your vacation knowing he is in the best possible hands.

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D Pet Hotels: Best Regional

D Pet Hotels

D Pet Hotels is a unique, modern boarding experience with locations around the country. If youre close to Texas, Arizona, or California, you should definitely check out this dog boarding company.

D Pet Hotels offers three levels of luxury suite boarding for your dog with private rooms, flat-screen TVs, and either a Kuranda dog bed, twin, or queen-sized bed. This luxury boarding experience is a great option for nervous dogs who may not do as well when you are away. Every dog who stays at D Pet Hotels spends the day in daycare, which allows your pup to burn off energy and snooze through the night.

D Pet Hotels is a great choice if you are local to one of its five locations. Though they do not offer in-home pet sitting, you should consider this luxury boarding experience if your dog suffers from anxiety and would do better in a close-to-home environment.