Home Watch VS Kennel for Pets

There are many things to take care of before going on vacation and choosing how to care for your pet while gone may well be one of the most important ones.  We want our pets to be safe and happy while we are away, so the decision between home watch and kennel boarding is an important one.

Home Watch

Home watch involves hiring a professional caretaker or someone you know to care for your pets while you are away.  You can hire someone to stay at your house for your entire vacation or drop in every day to feed, water, play with and walk your pets.  If your pet is very home-centered and does not get out much or has anxiety issues, home watch is likely to be the better choice.  Your pet stays in the comfort and familiarity of its home, eating and sleeping in places it already knows.  Home watch can be less expensive than a boarding kennel as well which can help the budget-conscious enjoy their vacation more.

The major downside to home watch is the risk of no care at all.  It can be difficult to find someone with references who offers home watch services, and even someone you know may turn out to be unreliable due to unforeseen circumstances or emergencies.  If your pet has special needs, you will have a harder time finding reliable home care and a kennel with on-site veterinarians may be the best option.

Boarding Kennels

Boarding kennels require you to take your pet to their facility for the length of their stay.  A professional team of caretakers will see that your pet receives food, water, playtime and all the comforts the boarding kennel has to offer.  The benefits of choosing a boarding kennel include knowing professionals care for your pet around the clock, having a safe environment for your pet the entire time you are away and knowing your pet’s care does not rely on just one person who might be unavailable in an emergency.

Boarding kennels can be quite expensive, costing more than a human hotel in some cases.  However, it may be worth the extra expense to know your pet will never be alone.  Animals who are used to roaming and having lots of space may not cope very well in a kennel where space is limited and exercise is a scheduled event.  Since there are other animals at a kennel, pets who do well alone may find the extra noise and activity very stressful.

Whichever method you choose for pet care during your vacation, make sure you make plans in advance for emergencies and know how to get in touch with your caretakers any time of day or night.  It is helpful to keep a list of important contact information for your pet such as veterinarian, groomer and a person who can be there to help if something happens while you are away.  Taking the time to find the care provider who fits your needs will give you critical peace of mind while you are enjoying your vacation.