Whether you're planning a few weeks of vacation or have to leave town for an urgent business trip, you might have to choose between a pet sitter vs boarding. These two options are entirely different experiences for your fur baby, so which is best?
Like a babysitter, a pet sitter comes to your home to care for your pet. Boarding is sending them to a licensed facility where they look after your pet.
Pet parents decide on the best option based on the pet's needs, temperament, and care requirements. For example, an elderly pet with daily medication requirements could struggle in a boarding facility. A young, playful kitty might enjoy boarding with other cats and not need a sitter.
Knowing your fur kid is getting the best care and attention gives you peace of mind while you're away. If you want to check on your pet while you're out, read our guide on the best pet cameras.
Below, we'll be weighing up the pros and cons of pet sitting vs boarding so you can make plans for when you are away.
What is pet boarding?
Pet boarding is a professional and secure facility with trained staff. They care for your pet when you are away. Some offer daytime care, such as when owners work long hours, and other boarding facilities provide overnight care for extended periods.
These animal care facilities may be called doggy daycare, cattery, boarding kennels, pet hotels and resorts. Boarding fees vary from $25 to $85+ depending on the facility and services provided.
Dogs may get walked separately, or the facility may have secure fields for daily play and exercise. When you drop off your pet, you may have to provide evidence of up-to-date vaccinations, microchipping, flea and tick treatment, and heartworms where appropriate.
The Professional Animal Care Certification Council has excellent resources and a certified directory to help you choose the best boarding company for your fur baby.
What is pet sitting?
Pet sitting is when someone cares for your pet in your home. They will visit at agreed intervals for daycare or stay overnight if you are away for days or weeks. If you have a dog that doesn't like strangers, scheduling a few meetings before you leave is a good plan. Pet sitters will feed, walk and play with your pets according to your guidelines.
You can contact an organization like The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters who have a directory of available, experienced, and insured pet sitters. Alternatively, ask for a local recommendation from friends with pets.
Pet sitting fees vary per state, depending on how many animals you have and the required care level. Short drop-ins start at $12+ per hour, depending on your location. Overnight stays range from $50 to $100+.
If you aren't sure if you need a pet sitter for short visits, our feature on how long can you leave a dog alone is super helpful.
Pros and cons of pet boarding
Pros:
- Trained staff: Professional boarding facilities train their staff to care for your pet. They may have animal care or behavioral qualifications and usually have pet first aid certification.
- Routine exercise and meals: This helps your pet adapt to their stay there.
- May allow a pet's bed, toys, and food: Having familiar items, like the best cat toys helps a pet stay connected to their daily life.
- Cage-free options: For poorly socialized dogs who dislike kennels.
- No strangers in your home: Trusting a stranger staying in your home is a big deal.
- Monitor medication: The staff ensures your pet gets the necessary medication.
- Cameras: Some organizations have live-streamed cameras so you can observe your fur baby remotely.
- Tailored care: This is great fior pets with special needs such as behavioral issues.
Cons
- More expensive than a pet sitter: Considering the cost of maintaining the building and staff salaries, boarding can be more costly than hiring a pet sitter.
- Unfamiliar surroundings: When a pet's daily life is lounging on your sofa by your side, staying in kennels or a cattery can cause significant stress.
- Exposure to disease or illness: Multiple animals in the same place puts them at risk of contracting contagious diseases.
- Vaccination requirements: All boarding facilities insist on up-to-date vaccination certificates (although we recommend this whether you use a boarding facility or not)
Pros and cons of pet sitting
Pros
- Homestays: The pet sitter stays in your home, providing more security than an empty house.
- Daily visits: Pet sitters can drop in for day visits if you work long hours or on a short trip.
- Less expensive: It can be less costly than a boarding facility.
- Happy pet: Your pet is less stressed staying in the home.
- Fewer costs: No requirement for up-to-date vaccinations, etc.
- Pet sitters may offer other tasks: Watering the plants, taking in the mail, making routine vet visits, etc.
- Maintain routine: The pet sitter can maintain your pet's daily routine – and using one of the best automatic pet feeders can help with this, too.
Cons
- Booking challenges: Pet sitters get busy during peak season.
- Stranger in your home: A natural concern until you know and trust the pet sitter.
- Unsure of dependability: Check if the pet sitter has a mobile app that tracks their arrival and departure. You could also ask neighbors to monitor if the pet sitter follows your care guidelines.
- Pet escape: You know your pet, but the pet sitter could accidentally leave a door, window or gate open. You might want to invest in one of the best pet trackers beforehand.
- Challenging if your pet dislikes strangers: To overcome that, schedule a few visits from the pet sitter to engage with your fur baby.
Is pet boarding or pet sitting better?
Pet sitter vs boarding is a choice only you can make based on your pet's needs, health, temperament and ability to adapt. Some pets take boarding in their stride and have a ball playing with their new mates. Other fur kids don’t fare well in boarding facilities.
My rescue dogs would not be happy unless snuggled on a cozy sofa or under my duvet. They would be okay with a pet sitter as they love everyone. You know your four-legged friend and will make the best choice for them and you.
If you really cannot face leaving your pet in boarding facilities or hiring a pet sitter, read our tips for traveling with pets. For dog lovers, check out how to travel with a dog.
