It can be difficult to decide what to do with your pet when you have to be away from home, even if you're leaving for the purpose of enjoying yourself on vacation. Being apart may cause your pet anxiety and you really don't want to be constantly preoccupied with wondering how your favorite four-legged or two-feathered friend is faring. No matter what type of animal you own, consider all the factors that will impact the situation as you try to decipher the best solution.
Advantages Of A Pet Sitter
Hiring someone to come into your home and tend to your pet while you're away could be the ideal scenario, depending on the circumstances. Consider the following ways this may be a good idea:
- You don't have to transport your pet.
- Your pet is able to stay in your home, the familiar and comfortable environment.
- There should be no change of diet for your pet.
- Your sitter may do other things for you, such as check the mail and keep your home secure.
Disadvantages
Hiring a pet sitter isn't for everyone, though, and does have a few drawbacks:
- If you don't know the sitter well, you may not fully trust them.
- The sitter may be a stranger to your pet, making them feel threatened.
- Your pet may be more likely to escape or run away from your home or yard.
Advantages Of Boarding At Your Local Vet
If you have a regular vet you are familiar with, boarding may have more appeal to you, but it may also depend on how your pet handles different situations:
- Your pet will have constant, professional care.
- There should be no way for your pet to escape or run away.
- Plenty of people and other animals will be able to keep your pet company.
- Your pet will be on a regular feeding, exercise, and socialization schedule.
Disadvantages
So long as your vet offers flexible hours, you likely won't find many disadvantages to bringing your pet in for a period of time. However, that doesn't mean this choice is the perfect one for you:
- The expense of vet boarding could easily exceed that of an in-house pet sitter.
- Your pet may be like other animals who fear the vet's office, even while only visiting.
- You will have to transport your pet to and from the vet, which may be cumbersome for you and uncomfortable for the animal.
Overall, if you're stuck deciding between a sitter and a boarder, consider how well you know and trust a potential sitter, as the disadvantages to that choice may far outweigh possible disadvantages of the vet. While your pet may not enjoy being toted around and dropped off someplace he's not familiar with, his health and well-being may be looked after more rigorously than any visitor to your home. However, if you have a person in mind with whom you can place unconditional trust and who knows how to handle the challenges your pet may pose, consider yourself very fortunate and take advantage, by allowing them to watch your home and pet while you're away. Just be sure and leave the number to your vet with them and let your vet know what's going on, too.
For more information, talk to a professional like Clovis Veterinary Hospital P A.
