08/10/2022
Petsitting or kennel? When it comes to the well-being of your 4-legged friend, it's not always easy to make a choice!
You are in charge and responsible to make the right choice for your animal based on its needs and personality.
Below I have listed the pros and cons of pet sitting and placing your pet in a kennel.(To do the right thing, it's obviously you, the owners, in the best position because you know your animal and its character better than anyone, but here's a little summary of the advantages and disadvantages to help you in your thinking 🐶🐱)
The benefits ( or Pros) of pet sitting:
• The animal stays at home in a familiar surroundings ; therefore is not stressed by a change of scenery.
• A good pet-sitter will always adjust to your pet's habits, whether it is walking times, meal times or else. An adapted approach will help your pet cope better with your absence and feeling lonely.
• It is a solution that is perfectly suited to short-term and longer absences.
• It is an ideal formula especially for cats who do not like to be displaced.
• You can regularly hire your favorite pet sitter once you have established a trusting relationship and feel comfort as you anticipate your future absences
• The formula is very suitable for independent cats and dogs who are used to spending several hours alone at home.
• Your house is not left abandoned, some pet sitters offer others options such as watering plants, taking care of mail, other needs upon request. Your pet sitter will keep an eye on your house. His/her regular presence and activities will reassure you that your pets and home are safe and secure.
Things to consider before deciding:
• If your animal is used to your presence at home, your absence can trigger loneliness. Then consider one, two or more daily visits to fill the void of your absence.
• You want to trust your pet sitter because he/she will have to enter your home in your absence. A preliminary appointment is very important and necessary to meet him/her, check references, experiences. Most important you will have to communicate yours and your animal’s demands, needs, recommendations, rules, etc.
The advantages of good kennels:
• Your animal is safe, in an enclosed area. In most good kennels your animal will have an enclosure cleaned every day, with a small safe screened yard. He will be able to see his “neighbors” and will not feel so isolated. Some kennels have reserved play areas where sociable animals will be happy to have fun with their fellow animals.
• You don't have to organize anything other than booking on time your pet’s stay, driving your companion a day ahead before you leave and finally picking them up . Please note: the kennels are quickly full during summer and Christmas!
Constraints to consider:
• Some animals find it difficult to adjust to an environment other than their own, especially the first times?
• Some dogs are unaccustomed to socializing. They might be stressed by the barking of their new noisy neighbors.
• Cats accustomed to living their cat life freely do not always tolerate confinement, especially for long periods.
• The cost (calculated per day per animal) can weigh very heavily on your holiday budget, especially if you have several companions.
• You sometimes have to visit a large number of kennels to find the perfect one because the welfare of the animal is the priority.
In the end, trust yourself. If the first option does not satisfy you, do not hesitate, try another one next time 🐱🐶
