While you wish you could, you will likely not be able to bring your dog on every vacation or trip. Here, our Snellville vets share some of the popular options for where to leave your dog while you go on vacation and the features and benefits of each one.
Do you have anxiety about leaving your dog while on vacation?
At Snellville Animal Hospital, we know that it can be hard to decide what to do with your dog while you travel. Whether you are heading out on vacation for a couple of weeks, or off on a business trip for a couple of days, you will need to find appropriate care for your dog.
Doing a little research into the options for where to leave your dog while on vacation and what features each service offers, can help to make your decision easier.
Dog Boarding For Your Vacation
If you can't bring your dog on vacation, today's pet boarding facilities offer a range of services, with clean kennels and lots of love and attention.
Services range from pet spas and doggie summer camps to medical boarding for pups who need extra love and attention, with price points that range from extravagant to affordable.
If you are in the process of looking at a boarding facility for dog care for your vacation, be sure to check out a few different places in your area to find a facility that best suits the needs of your pet and your wallet.
Benefits of Dog Boarding Facilities
Price is typically a good indicator of the level of service provided at a given dog boarding facility. If your pooch will be treated to luxurious hotel-like spaces with comfy sofas to lounge on and a 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 pup to enjoy an active adventure while you're traveling, a fun camp experience may be ideal. Dog camps across the country offer loads of time for your dog to explore outdoors, as well as added facilities in some cases for swimming and playing with other dogs.
Features at a Standard Dog Boarding Facility
Some of the basic aspects of dog care at a boarding facility include:
- A clean, roomy kennel for your pup to sleep in
- Exercise time outdoors before breakfast so your dog can stretch their legs
- Breakfast served in the kennel
- Out of kennel playtime in the middle of the day to allow your pooch to burn some energy
- Dinner served in the kennel
- Evening bathroom break
Specialized Services Available at Some 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
Hiring a Dog Sitter For Pet Care While on Vacation
Also, ask for references and qualifications from anyone that you are considering as a pet sitter. You will want to ensure that they are fully capable of caring for your pup. 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.
Specialized Services Available With Certain Pet Sitters
You may require a little more than basic pet sitting. For these cases, some pet sitters may also offer other services such as:
- Training
- Grooming
- Frequent walks
- Housekeeping
If you are looking for an inexpensive option, you could also check in with your friends and family to see if anyone would like to care for your dog while you are away. This way your pet will be with someone familiar, likely in a familiar environment (depending on whether your sitter watches your pup at your house, or cares for them at their own house).
Pet Boarding at Snellville Animal Hospital
At Snellville 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.
If you are trying to figure out dog care for your vacation, we are here for you. We provide complete boarding services for pets including dogs and cats who require medication and/or monitoring.
Some of the features available at our dog boarding facility in Snellville include:
- Comfy, cozy beds for each guest
- Climate-controlled kennels
- Individual space for each pet
- Clean towels, blankets, and bowls
- Separate boarding area for cats
- 24/7 monitoring
- Grooming
- Daily walks
- Large outdoor play area
- Smaller runs for jumping dogs
- Special diet accommodations
- Ample daily playtime with staff
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.