We understand that it can be stressful to leave your dog behind when you travel, especially if your pet has medical needs. Today, our vets in Orlando offer advice to help you choose the best place to leave your dog while you're away and some insights that may alleviate some anxiety.
Where to Leave Your Dog While on Vacation
Are you planning to head off on vacation for a couple of weeks, or perhaps leave town for a few days on business? You'll need to find appropriate care for your four-legged friend.
At East Orlando Animal Hospital, our vets understand you may feel a bit overwhelmed and challenged at the prospect of deciding what kind of care is best for you and your pet when you can't be with them. However, researching your options in and near Orlando and which features are available with each service can help to make your decision easier.
Dog Boarding for Vacations & Time Away
Many pet boarding facilities were once dingy, grim places where animals remained locked in their cages for long periods. That said, times have changed - these days your dog can have fun interacting with other dogs and playing while you're away while spending their time in a fresh-smelling, clean facility and receiving plenty of love, attention, and pets.
Today, animal boarding facilities range from standard and medical boarding to pet spas and doggie daycare setups. With medical boarding, dogs that need medications administered and extra care receive the attention they need. Price points match these accommodations and range from affordable to extravagant.
If you're trying to decide which boarding facility to take your dog to, make sure to look into a few different places in your area to discover which facility best suits the needs of your pet - and your budget.
Facility Features
You can typically look at service prices for a good indicator of the level of service offered at a given dog boarding facility. If your pup will be treated to a luxurious hotel-like space with a TV to watch and comfy sofas to lounge on, you'll pay more than you would to board your pet at a standard facility that offers fenced dog runs and roomy crates.
A fun camp experience may be ideal if you'd like your pup to enjoy an active adventure while spending time away from home. Dog camps across the United States offer loads of time for your dog to explore outdoors, as well as added facilities in some cases for playing and swimming with other dogs.
That said, it's important to remember that extravagant facility features don't necessarily add up to better care for your pet.
Choosing the Level of Service That's Right for Your Dog
Typically, pet care for while you're on vacation will be priced based on the level of service you choose. Luxury accommodations will be far more costly per day than a standard kennel.
Standard care for dogs at most pet boarding facilities includes:
- Breakfast served in the kennel
- Out of kennel playtime in the middle of the day to allow your pooch to burn some energy
- A clean, roomy kennel for your pup to sleep in
- Exercise time outdoors before breakfast so your dog can stretch their legs
- Dinner served in the kennel
- Evening bathroom break
Other services commonly available at pet boarding facilities:
If you are looking for something a bit more special than a standard boarding facility, many facilities also offer the following services:- Specialized veterinary care
- Training
- Grooming
- Shuttle services to and from the facility
The Pros & Cons of Boarding Your Dog While You're On Vacation
- Pros: Pet boarding provides your pet with a standardized daily routine that many dogs crave including meal times and exercise times on a regular schedule. Boarding also allows pets to socialize with other animals. If your dog has a medical issue that requires medications or treatments, facilities with onsite vets and a team of veterinary professionals may be right for your pet while you're away.
- Cons: Being away from home can be hard for some animals. Pets can become nervous or anxious in new environments which could lead to altercations with other animals at playtime. Pets in boarding facilities also face an increased risk of contracting contagious illnesses such as kennel cough in dogs or Feline Upper Respiratory infections (colds) in cats.
Hiring a Dog Sitter
When interviewing for a dog sitter be sure to request a list of references as well as a list of qualifications. How much you will pay for a pet sitter will depend upon the level of service you choose for your pet.
Dog sitters can help to protect your home by keeping your place looking lived-in to any passers-by. Hiring a live-in pet sitter will allow you to rest assured that someone is caring for your home at night.
Extra Services Available From Some Pet Sitters:
If your dog requires more care than just feeding and being let out a few times a day, some pet sitters offer additional services such as:- Training
- Grooming
- Frequent walks
- Housekeeping
The Pros & Cons of Hiring a Pet Sitter
- Pros: The primary benefit of hiring a pet sitter is that your dog may find it less stressful to stay at home. Other benefits of hiring a pet sitter include the increased security of having someone in your home, and pet sitters can be less expensive than some boarding facilities.
- Cons: Bringing a stranger into your home to care for your pooch can be uncomfortable, and certainly isn't for everyone. You may also find that popular dog sitters in your area book up very quickly and may not be available when you need them, particularly at peak holiday times such as March break.
The Choice is Yours
Choosing the best dog care for your vacation, or time away from home will ultimately come down to personal preference, price, and availability in your neighborhood. With a little research into the services available in your area, you will be able to find just the right level of care for your fur baby, at a price you can afford, and perhaps relieve some anxiety about leaving your dog while you're on vacation.
Medical & Standard Boarding Your Pet at East Orlando Animal Hospital
At East Orlando Animal Hospital we understand that it can be stressful to leave your pet - especially if they are ill, or when they are recovering from a procedure or surgery. Our goal is to put help put your mind at ease by providing your dog with the care they need while you're away. We provide complete boarding services for pets with a disease or medical condition that requires medication and/or monitoring that some standard boarding facilities may not be equipped to accommodate.
We offer pet lodge rooms with dog cages that are furnished with bedding and toys upon request. Our small and large luxury dog runs are furnished with toys and bedding. At our luxury run, there are custom-themed rooms, a platform bed and 20 minutes of playtime included.
We also offer standard boarding for healthy dogs who need a safe and friendly place to stay while you're away. All dogs are treated to 4 daily walks and meals are provided at your requested time. We strive to mimic your pet's routine as closely to what it would be at home as possible.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
