Our Orlando vets know that leaving your dog or cat can be stressful Whether you're going on vacation or just need a place your pet can be safe while you're at work, deciding on the right option can be hard. Today our vets explain the differences between two common options: daycare and boarding.
Daycare For Dogs & Cats
If you have to be away from your dog for the day while you work, care for children, or run errands, you might have a few options to consider. However, doggy daycare is a growing trend across the United States for many pet parents who are concerned about leaving their furry family member alone for too long or who are aware their pet needs physical activity, mental stimulation, and socialization time.
What Do Dogs Do At Daycare In Orlando?
Dogs that don’t have an outlet for their energy and curiosity can become bored, which may result in depression, stress, or mischievousness that can get them into trouble — not to mention the impact that stresses and lack of exercise can have on their physical health.
While your dog is at a daycare facility, you can be sure they’ll be getting in some valuable playtime, experience socializing with other dogs, and physical exercise that will allow them to run off all that pent-up energy.
Throughout the day, they will be given the opportunity for playtime, both as an individual and in a group setting. They will also get treats and lots of love, attention, friends, and toys to play with. Small, medium, and large dogs are separated by size for safety reasons.
Boarding For Cats And Dogs
While pet boarding facilities may once have been grim, dingy places where animals stayed locked in their cages for long periods, times have changed! These days, your dog can have fun socializing and playing while you're away, and your cat can have a relaxing vacation in a clean, fresh-smelling facility complete with plenty of love and attention.
Today's animal boarding facilities range from pet spas and doggie summer camps to medical boarding for pets that require extra attention, with price points that range from extravagant to affordable.
If you are in the process of deciding which boarding facility to take your pet to, be sure to check out a few different places in your area to find a facility that suits the needs of your pet.
What Do Pets Do At Boarding Facilities?
Price is often a good indicator of the level of service provided at a given boarding or daycare facility. If your dog or cat will be treated to luxurious hotel-like spaces with comfy sofas to lounge on and TV to watch, you're going to pay more than you would to board your pet at a standard facility with roomy crates and fenced dog runs.
If you want your feline friend to be pampered while they are away from home, some specialized cat boarding facilities offer cat gyms filled with plenty of cat-friendly toys, platforms to jump up onto, and posts to scratch.
That said, extravagant facility features don't necessarily add up to better care for your pet.
In Conclusion
No matter which option you choose, your vet may be able to offer great local recommendations for facilities as well as ways to help your dog feel comfortable while you are away from them. You should also speak with your vet about scheduling an examination and routine vaccinations to make sure that your dog is healthy and up to date with preventive care before booking them in with a doggy daycare or boarding facility.
