Every year, millions of people eagerly anticipate vacations, whether they take place locally or abroad. While many of us plan vacations where our pets are welcome, such as at pet-friendly hotels, campgrounds, or lodges, there are frequently situations where we are forced to find alternative care for our cats and dogs.
This choice should never be made lightly, so we’ve listed some of your options as well as the preparations you should do to make their time apart from you as smooth and stress-free as possible.
House Sitter
This is frequently the least disruptive choice you have. Your cat or dog can carry on with their daily routine with little change if you ask a person you trust to stay in your house.
Make sure there is plenty of their preferred food in the house and provide your house sitter a list of when they need be fed and taken for walks. Make a list of emergency contact information, including your mobile, a nearby family member, and your veterinarian in case medical attention is required.
Boarding Kennels
Your neighborhood boarding kennel may offer the greatest Christmas care for pets. Start by investigating the ones in your neighborhood and seeking out referrals from friends and family. Particularly for stays throughout the summer, available rooms are likely to fill up quickly. Once you have a kennel in mind, inquire as to whether you may visit to take a look. Verify that there will be enough room for your dog or cat to live, sleep, and exercise outdoors. Find out how many employees are typically on duty at one time, whether your pet will be greeted by the same familiar faces during their stay, and how many walks your pet will receive daily.
Make a list of instructions before delivering your pet to the kennel if you are satisfied with it. Include information on their diet along with their eating schedule, their medication and when it must be taken, their microchip information, and any behavioral difficulties that might compromise their stay. Find out if they need to bring documentation that their immunizations are current and if they have enough insurance coverage in case something goes wrong.
Give specifics on how well-behaved your pet is around other animals, and don’t forget to indicate whether or not they should never be let off the leash. Take their favorite blankets and toys as a final step to help them feel more at home in their new environment. You could always leave a piece of clothes with them so they can smell you and feel more at ease. While you are gone, don’t be afraid to call the kennels; it is only normal to worry about your pets, and the staff will be pleased to give you an update.
Ask A Friend
You could enlist the help of a trustworthy friend to take care of your dog or cat at their residence. Ask if any existing pets will get along with a new temporary addition to the family to make sure they are comfortable having animals in their home. A certain acquaintance may not be able to take care of your children if your dog is afraid of kids.
The ideal scenario would be for your friend to have a safe garden where your pet could roam and use the restroom anytime they needed. Ask if there would be a decent walking area nearby if they don’t have a garden, and make sure they will be taken there several times every day. Similar to hiring a house sitter for your own home, give detailed instructions and contact information along with plenty of food, any necessary medications, and a few bowls for food and water. Having their favorite beds, blankets, and toys around will make it much easier for your pet to settle down.
When You Return
Make sure to set aside plenty of time that you can give to your pet because it’s probable that they will have missed you just as much as you have missed them. To demonstrate to your pets that you will once again be paying close attention to them, take your dogs for a long walk and play with your cat.
If you have been letting your dog live somewhere else, it is a good idea to give them a wash to reduce the chance that they will pick up fleas or ticks from other dogs or from walks in strange places. As you try to return to the previous schedule as smoothly as you can, give them lots of time to rest while they get used to you all being back together.
