Pros and Cons of Each Dog Boarding Option
Do you feel anxious when you are planning to travel, because you don’t trust anyone to look after your little fur baby? I get it, because I also have a dog. Until I found my people who I can trust to take care of Muffin while I was away, finding a place to board her was a real struggle.
After being a business consultant for the pet care industry for a few years, I learned so much about the way they operate as well as the pros and cons of each dog boarding service available out there. If you live in Los Angeles, you can check out our website and count on us to look after your pup! Otherwise, keep on reading. You will find below a few aspects to consider when looking for the right dog boarding place.
When looking to hire boarding services, here are your options:
Specialized In-Home Boarding
Pros
Personalized care: it’s a better experience because it’s a home environment. Fewer dogs if compared to a facility, and therefore, a more individualized care.
Less stress: staying in a home setting is more familiar for your dog, instead of a large facility with lots of dogs and people. It can be stressful and way more comfortable.
Consistent people: in a home setting, the people are the same, so your dog will develop a relationship with that second family. That helps them feel safer and happier.
Socialization: unlike leaving with a pet sitter, in-home boarding usually hosts more than one dog at once, who have also been screened for behavior. The aspect of socialization in a controlled environment makes it all more fun for your dog, while preventing boredom.
Cons
Limited availability: especially during peak travel seasons, it may be challenging to secure a spot especially on short notice. It’s important to book it as soon as you can.
Higher-cost: the personalized care and attention of in-home boarding providers usually come at a premium price.
Limited options: It is very difficult to find a specialized in-home boarding facility near you.
Boarding Facilities
Pros
Professional care: a great boarding facility hires experienced staff and provides training to ensure that they follow the protocol.
Socialization: a great boarding facility will provide opportunity for supervised social time with groups of dogs of the same size and/ or temperament.
Unknown boarding facility (iStock)
Structured routine: the schedule in boarding facilities have to follow a structured daily routine to ensure that all dogs are fed, exercised, and rested. The predictability helps soothe the dogs’ anxiety.
Additional services: a great facility will include extra services like grooming, training and veterinary care which makes it convenient for the owners.
Cons
Stressful environment: especially for small dogs, big and crowded dog facilities can make your pup anxious, depressed and even develop unwanted behaviors.
Risk of illness: even with vaccine rules and cleanliness protocols, the large number of dogs together from different households can increase the risk of exposure to diseases, parasites and outbreaks of illness such as kennel cough.
Lack of individual attention: with a large number of animals, and rotating staff, your pup may not receive the same level of TLC they are used to getting at home.
Uncomfortable: for cleanliness purposes, many facilities provide a washable sleeping mat instead of the cozy bedding that your dog is used to. Also, for safety reasons, pets are kept in crates or enclosures spaces and unless your dog is crate trained, it can be highly stressful for your dog. They will bark and howl all night with no one to comfort them :(
Pet Sitters (Gig apps like Rover or Wag)
Pros
Convenience: it’s undeniable that these apps make the whole process easy from browning, comparing options, reading reviews, booking and paying directly on the app.
Large Network: depending on your neighborhood, you will find a wide selection of options to choose from.
Flexibility: easy to book a variety of services on demand or in advance.
Transparent pricing: Compare rates and choose a sitter that fits your budget without worrying about hidden fees.
Cons
Not everyone is there because they love dogs/ animals. It’s an easy way to make money, and if a caregiver doesn’t understand or at least take interest in getting informed on how to best care for dogs, they might end up making mistakes, neglecting, or accidentally hurting your pup.
Quality Control: The screening process for pet sitters is quite weak, and for that reason, some sitters may lack experience, training, or professionalism, reflecting on a not so great care for your pet.
Inconsistency: Since gig apps rely on independent contractors, there may be inconsistencies in the level of care provided from one sitter to another. You may encounter differences in communication, reliability, and adherence to instructions.
Limited Oversight: While they may offer customer support and assistance, they may not be able to intervene in disputes or issues between you and the sitter effectively.
Safety Concerns: Even though they run a background check on all of the contractors, there is always a risk of hiring a stranger to enter your house or look after your dog. Incidents of theft, property damage, or neglect by pet sitters have been reported on these platforms.
House Sitters
Pros
Home Sweet Home: for your dog, there’s nothing like the smells and familiarity of their own home. If you have someone you trust to stay at your house while you’re away, house sitters are a great option for you.
Safe for your dog: it minimizes potential stress or anxiety, as well as safety and illness risks.
Additional Services: You’ll have someone looking after your house as well, watering plants, collecting mail, and keeping it safe.
Cons
Expensive: these are usually the most expensive service because the house sitter can only be in one location at a time, and will have to leave their home and life to dedicate their time to your pup.
Stranger in your home: Not everyone is comfortable with a stranger living in their house, going through their things. Also, it comes with risks of theft, damage and neglect, even after a background check.
Limited availability: especially during peak times or holidays. It's better to book services in advance to secure your house sitter, particularly for long-term or recurring bookings.
Limited socialization: the best part of having your dog stay at a dog care facility or in-home boarding is the opportunity to socialize with other dogs in a supervised environment.
Once you choose which service fits your needs best, make sure to check out our Ultimate Checklist for evaluating dog boarding services.