The Importance of Dog Daycare and Boarding

Your dog is an important part of your life, but it’s not always possible or practical to spend time with him. Whether you have to leave your dog alone while you work or leave your dog home while you travel, there are options to consider that will keep him safe and happy. Dog daycare and boarding offer solutions for owners who can’t have their dog with them at certain times.

Daycare for Dogs

Since most workplaces don’t allow dogs, it’s common for pet owners to leave them at home while they work. If you’re in this situation and want to prevent your dog from being bored or lonely, consider dog daycare. These facilities give dogs a chance to stay active several hours per day while their owners are at work or busy outside the house. You can sign your dog up for daycare a certain number of hours per week or just on specific days when you know you won’t be around.

Keep in mind that you might also want to look into dog daycare if you work from home. Daycare offers a number of benefits for dogs, such as encouraging socialization with other dogs and helping them stay physically and mentally stimulated. Dog daycare also helps reduce the risk of your dog behaving inappropriately or destructively at home when you’re gone due to boredom.

Boarding for Dogs

If you’ll be away from home for a few days or longer, consider dog boarding as an option. Instead of having to arrange for a pet sitter to come to your home while you’re gone, you can have your dog stay at a quality boarding facility that offers a safe environment and opportunities to play with other dogs. When your dog boards, he’ll have round-the-clock care, plenty of chances to eliminate when needed and the company of other dogs.

Dog daycare and boarding can provide you with peace of mind when you can’t be with your dog due to work or travel. Just make sure you choose a high-quality facility with a caring staff and a clean environment.

Comparing Costs for Pet Boarding, Pet Sitting and On-site Daycare

When you need to travel without your pets, you have a few options to consider for pet care. You can have your pets stay at a boarding facility, hire a pet sitter, or sign them up for pet daycare. These different options vary in price based on certain factors. Here’s what to expect when you compare pet boarding cost, pet sitting cost and daycare cost.

Pet Boarding Cost

The cost for pet boarding is usually higher than costs for a pet sitter. This is mainly due to the fact that your pets will be staying in a facility that provides cozy kennels, play areas and staff members to keep an eye on them. You don’t have to worry about arranging for a sitter to come by each day or stay at your home, which means you don’t have to worry that they won’t show up. Boarding provides you with peace of mind while you’re away from your pets. Keep in mind that pet boarding facilities also offer grooming, training and other services, which also accounts for higher costs.

Pet Sitting Cost

The cost of a pet sitter is typically lower than pet boarding or daycare. The least expensive option is having a pet sitter stop by your home a couple times a day to walk your pets, feed them and play with them. If you want someone there at all times, you’ll usually have to pay more for an overnight pet sitter.

On-site Daycare

If you only need someone to watch your pets during the day, on-site daycare is a great option. This usually costs about as much as pet boarding, although you can typically find discounts to take advantage of, such as signing your pets up for more days or weeks at a reduced rate. On-site daycare provides pets with a safe and exciting place to spend the day, and you can also arrange for grooming services or training for additional costs.

How to Find the Best Boarding Facility for Your Pet

Boarding facilities offer a place for your pets to stay when you won’t be home, but how do you know which one to pick? When you’re comparing different facilities, keep the following tips in mind. This will help ensure that you find the best boarding facility for your pets.

Check Vaccination Requirements

When you find pet boarding facilities in your area, one of the first things to check is the vaccination requirements. Facilities should require all pets to have certain vaccinations in order to stay there. This helps lower your pets’ chances of getting sick while they’re boarding. Without strict vaccination requirements, pets are at risk of getting kennel cough and other contagious diseases.

Look for a Clean Facility

Any boarding facility you consider for your pets should be kept clean on a regular basis. You should visit the facility to take a tour of it, so you can see what kind of condition it’s in. Any messes from pets should be picked up right away instead of being left on the floor. Pets should also have bowls of clean water available. If the facility you visit seems dirty, don’t board your pets there. They’re more at risk of getting sick if they stay in an unclean boarding facility.

Talk to the Staff

Before choosing a boarding place, talk to staff members. This lets you find out how knowledgeable they are about pets and pet care. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have about the place and how certain situations are handled, such as how staff members deal with emergencies. Talking to staff also helps you to determine if they’re friendly, courteous and good with animals.

Ask About Supervised Play

If your pets will be taking part in play groups, make sure these are supervised by staff members. Find pet boarding facilities that require pets to go through assessments. This ensures that they don’t have behavioral problems that could make them a danger to other pets. Supervised play also reduces the risk of having pets get loose and run off.

Tips for Preparing for Long Term Pet Boarding

When you have to go away for an extended period of time, long term pet boarding provides a solution for where to leave your pets. Being gone for weeks at a time can make you feel anxious about the care your pets receive while you’re away, so it’s important to find a great boarding facility for them. This means finding one that offers a safe and clean environment with a play area and highly skilled staff. Once you’ve found a place, you’ll need to prepare for this long stay. Keep the following tips for long term pet boarding in mind while getting ready.

Pack Familiar Items

As long as the boarding facility allows it, pack up your pets’ favorite things, such as toys and a blanket. These objects can provide them with comfort when they’re staying in an unfamiliar place. You can also add a t-shirt of yours for them to snuggle with, since this will leave them with something that has your scent on it. Having this kind of item around can also make your pets feel more at home in their boarding facility.

Schedule a Vet Appointment

If your pets are due for a vet visit, get it out of the way before you leave. This ensures that your pets are free of illnesses or other conditions that could affect their ability to board. It also means that your pets will be up-to-date on all of the vaccinations required by the boarding facility.

Have Enough Food and Medication Available

If you plan on having your dogs eat their own food while you’re gone, make sure you have plenty of it. Their food should last for the entire time you’re gone. If any of your pets need medication, you’ll need to ensure that you have enough to last them during their stay.

Ask About Veterinary Care

If your pets get sick or injured, find out how the boarding facility handles it. Make sure you know where your pets will go for care, and leave contact information with the boarding facility so they can keep you updated.

How to Find the Best Dog Kennel

If you’re not comfortable hiring a pet sitter to stop by or stay at your home while you’re gone, a dog boarding kennel is a great alternative. How do you know which one is the best dog kennel? There are different things to consider when you’re choosing a kennel for your pets. Keep the following in mind in order to find the top kennel in your area.

Cleanliness

You know that living with pets comes with a certain amount of mess, but the best dog kennels provide a clean environment. Look for a place that cleans up accidents and other messes as quickly as possible to prevent the spread of germs. This helps lower the risk of your pets becoming ill during their stay.

Fresh Water

When you take a tour of dog boarding facilities, look for bowls of fresh water. The best facilities ensure that dogs have access to fresh, clean water on a regular basis. If you don’t see water or if you see bowls that look dirty, keep looking for a boarding facility that is better and safer for your pets.

Exercise and Play

Some boarding facilities offer minimal services. Dogs in these places usually stay in their kennels most of the day and only leave for a couple of short walks. The best dog kennel will provide dogs with opportunities to run around and play, which helps them burn off energy and stimulates their minds. This helps keep dogs happy and prevents boredom during their stay.

Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff

The environment and available activities are important factors when choosing a dog kennel, but it’s also crucial to find a place with staff members who are great with dogs. Keep in mind that the top dog kennels have staff members who are friendly, patient and knowledgeable about dogs. They should be able to deal with any issues that occur and help keep dogs happy while they are there.

When you find the best dog kennel, make sure that the dates you need are open. The top kennels tend to get booked fast, so make your reservations early.

Practical Tips on Preparing for Pet Boarding

When you hire a pet boarding service to watch and care for your dog while you’re away, it’s important to make sure that your pet is prepared. In addition to meeting the boarding facility’s requirements, you’ll also need to take steps to keep your pet from getting lost as a precaution. Whether you’ve used this type of service before or not, these practical tips can help ensure that your dog is ready.

Get a Copy of Your Dog’s Medical Records

Make sure that your dog is up-to-date on all shots that the boarding facility requires, which typically includes rabies, distemper, bordetella and parvovirus. You’ll have to show proof that your dog is current on required vaccines. This requirement helps lower the risk of dogs getting each other sick while boarding. You might also have to show proof that a fecal exam tested negative for parasites within the last year.

Update Your Dog’s License

If your dog’s license is expiring soon, make sure you update it before you plan on boarding your pet. Dog boarding facilities require dogs to have a valid license. You’ll need to show the facility that your dog’s license is up-to-date, so bring proof with you, such as a license tag.

Check Microchip Information

While many pet boarding facilities take steps to stop dogs from being able to run off, such as having sturdy fencing, it’s still important to check your pet’s microchip information beforehand. Make sure the contact information linked to your pet's microchip is up-to-date, and bring a copy of the microchip number to give staff members at the boarding facility.

Get a Sturdy Collar

If your dog’s collar is looking a bit worn, get a new one before using a pet boarding service. Look for a collar that is sturdy and won’t slip off your dog’s neck. Attach your dog’s license tag and any other ID tags you have to it. These tags can make it easier for dogs to be returned to their owners or to the boarding facility they’re staying at while their owners are away.

What You Should Know About Pet Boarding Costs

Boarding your pets help ensure that they’re taken care of while you’re away from home. If you’re traveling and need to look into boarding facilities, you’re probably wondering what to expect in terms of cost. Keep the following pet boarding cost information in mind, so you can stick to your budget while making sure your pets are being cared for at a quality boarding kennel.

Boarding Rates

Boarding rates vary depending on how many pets will be staying and how long they’ll be there. Charges are typically on a per night basis for dog boarding facilities. These prices will also vary based on location. For example, DoGone Fun charges $50 per night per pet. Additional dogs staying in the same kennel are $30 per night each, while additional dogs staying in separate kennels are $50 per night. Afternoon checkout after 12 p.m. is also available for $20 per pet if you need to pick up your pets later in the day.

Perks and Amenities

Some dog boarding facilities offer certain perks and other amenities for an additional cost. These can range from treats to cuddle time and upgraded bedding. DoGone Fun offers several added luxuries for an additional fee. Biscuits at bedtime are available, as well as frozen yogurt treats, which are great treats for helping dogs stay cool in summer. Other amenities that are available include a home cooked Sunday brunch or a home cooked holiday dinner if you’ll be away during the holidays. Your pets can also have extra comfortable beds, one-on-one cuddle time with a staff member, a 15 minute walk outside and a Kong filled with treats. Freshen up services with dry shampoo are also available.

Cost vs. Quality

When you’re searching for boarding facilities and comparing rates, keep in mind that going with the lowest rate isn’t necessarily the best or safest option. Some boarding facilities have very low prices, but that doesn’t guarantee quality. It’s important to look into each facility to make sure they have well trained staff, clean kennels and play areas, and secure enclosures. At DoGone Fun, your pets stay in a clean and safe environment and are cared for by highly trained and skilled staff members. While our pet boarding cost might be higher than others in the area, we offer the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your pets are staying in a high quality boarding facility.

Difference between boarding and pet sitting

Having to leave your pet behind when you travel often means choosing between pet sitting or dog boarding. Both of these options help ensure that your pet is taken care of while you’re gone, but there are some important differences between them.

What Is Pet Boarding?

Pet boarding is when your dog stays at a boarding facility with other dogs. These places provide your dog with a kennel or sleeping area to stay in and have staff available for walks. Some facilities also offer playtime, so your dog won’t be cooped up in a kennel.

What Is Pet Sitting?

Pet sitting is when you hire a qualified sitter to stop by your home a certain number of times while you’re gone. Pet sitters feed dogs and take them for walks. They also give them attention, so they won’t get lonely. Some pet sitters stay at dog owners’ homes while they’re away.

Benefits of Pet Boarding

Dog boarding can give you peace of mind that your dog is being looked after around-the-clock when you’re gone. You don’t have to worry about relying on a pet sitter to show up as scheduled. Instead, you can rest assured that your dog will be fed, walked and played with on a regular basis. Boarding also gives your dog a chance to socialize if the place offers playtime. This is a great option for dogs with high energy levels who enjoy interacting with others.

Benefits of Pet Sitting

Pet sitting allows your dog to stay in the comfort of your own home instead of being in an unfamiliar place while you’re away. This can help your dog feel less stressed and anxious about your absence. Your dog will have access to favorite toys and familiar items, such as a dog bed or blanket. This is a good option for dogs who are shy or nervous around other dogs and prefer a quiet environment.

Cons of Pet Boarding

Dog boarding can raise your pet’s risk of catching kennel cough or other infectious diseases, so it’s important to make sure you find a place that requires dogs to be vaccinated.

Cons of Pet Sitting

Pet sitting requires you to feel comfortable letting someone else into your home while you’re gone. It’s crucial to find a reliable pet sitter who you can count on to show up on time each day to care for your dog.