If you’re a pet parent, finding someone to watch your dog when you leave for a weekend getaway or a week-long vacation can be tricky. You want someone who you can trust to give your pup the love and care they need and deserve while you’re gone. Oftentimes, this means calling on your friends and family to watch your dog while you’re away. While there are many benefits to having a friend or relative care for your pup while you travel, there are also many downsides to consider. Today, let’s look at the pros and cons of relying on your loved ones to take care of your dog while you’re away. Or, you can always call your Top Rated Local® dog boarding and animal hospital, proudly serving the greater Kansas City area. Give Eagle Animal Hospital & Pet Resort a call to learn more about our dog boarding and doggy daycare services.
Let’s Begin With The Pros
Below are some of the positives of having your loved ones look after your precious pup while you’re traveling.
Familiar Friends
Your dog is, more than likely, familiar with your friends and family. This is good. Not only will this give you peace of mind when you leave your dog in the care of your loved one, it can also help your dog feel comfortable and relaxed while you’re gone. A familiar face can reduce separation anxiety and depression that can set in among some dogs when their parents are gone for a time.
You Trust Them
If you’ve called on a loved one to watch your dog — your precious fur baby — you probably trust the person significantly. You know the person and you know your dog better than anyone else, so if you feel that you can completely rely on them to care for your pet, chances are they are a good pet sitting candidate.
Makes Economic Sense
One of the top reasons why pet parents rely on loved ones to watch their dog while they’re away is the economic factor. For many, it is more cost-effective to pocket the cost of hiring a pet sitter or boarding their dog in favor of having a friend or relative do it little or nothing.
Now Let’s Look At The Cons
Here is a list of the more worrisome aspects of having friends and relatives pet sit your dog while you’re gone.
They Aren’t Professionals
Chances are, your loved one isn’t a professional pet sitter. If they have a dog, then that can be a major bonus, but they still haven’t had the training and certifications that experts have. Watching a dog is more than just coming to a home to feed them and let them out. It’s also important to have an understanding of different types of breeds and dog behaviors, which cannot only protect your dog, but also the person watching your dog.
They Have Their Own Responsibilities
Even when a loved one agrees to care for your dog while you’re away, it’s important to keep in mind that they have their own responsibilities and schedules to keep, too. Some things to consider are:
- Will they be staying in your home for the duration of your trip?
- Do they work? If so, how does their work schedule play into the time they need to spend with your dog?
- Do they work close to your home?
- Do they have a busy social life that could interfere with the time they should be spending with your dog?
These are all important questions to ask your potential pet sitter before fully committing.
They May Not Know Your Dog’s Habits and Behaviors
While you can talk to them about your dog’s behaviors and habits, your loved one probably hasn’t completely experienced your dog’s habits (good and bad). For instance, they may not fully understand your dog’s severe chewing habit, which could lead to their items being left out and damaged, or worse, your dog getting sick or injured from chewing and swallowing something they shouldn’t. There are so many things that could go wrong if your inexperienced pet sitter isn’t familiar with your dog’s habits and behaviors.
Call Our Dog Boarding Team
These are just a few of the pros and cons of hiring a loved to watch your dog while you’re out-of-town. Using your best judgment, you can determine whether asking a loved one or hiring a professional to watch your dog is the best choice for you and your pup. If you have questions about dog boarding or want to meet with our team or tour our state-of-the-art dog boarding facility, call Eagle Animal Hospital & Pet Resort today! We offer pet parents living in and around the Kansas City top-notch dog boarding and doggy daycare services. Our team of expert, Fear-Free-certified veterinarians, support staff, and dog boarding attendees are devoted to providing the best care for your furry family member, so reach out today to reserve a suite for your dog at our pet resort!