Pets -- sit at home or kennel? About This Page:

[snoozin]

We're planning an 11 day trip. Our doggie (he'll be almost 9) used to go to "doggy camp" as we referred to it; the owners were amazing, and he loved to go. In fact, he would jump up to go INTO the kennel! They were fantastic, and he truly loved to be there... (the health inspector witnessed a similar incident, and said it was the only place he'd ever seen where the dogs are happier to arrive than leave... he couldn't believe it!).

We've moved 1300 miles from that kennel, so it's kinda out of the question to send him there (darnit).

So... now that he's a really sedentary old man, should we consider having someone come and feed and play with him? It seems to me he'd be happier in his own home, own smells, own blanket, toys, yard, etc...

Thoughts?

[Stripes]

You know your dog best and if you think he'd be happier at home than you're probably right.
We used to have the most wonderful college student come and live at our house to care for our dog (no mean feat to find someone who wasn't intimidated by 190# of fuzz!). She watched the house and our baby and we left feeling both were well taken care of. Any chance of someone around that you trust to come live there?

[RobinKay6573]

I am a professional pet sitter. I go into people's homes and care for their animals while they are on vacation. It is a great alternative to a kennel for most dogs. Be careful about hiring "the neighborhood kid". I have been to houses where the neighborhood kid is suppose to be doing visits on the alternative days and the cat box is FULL and the cats bowls are empty. This has happened MANY times. Make sure you meet the sitter and sit down with them and do alittle interview (they will interview you and you can interview them). Most dogs are 100% comfortable with me on the first visit to the house...but sometimes it takes a visit or two. Usually if I say the magic word "WALK" they perk their ears up and start jumping around. What dog doens't like a good walk? For dogs I usually recommend 3 visits a day...one in the morning one after worktime and one before bed. My visits are a half hour and if you are out of the "zone" there is an extra charge for milage.

I have to kennel my dog because she is crated when I am not home. She tends to get into trouble if I leave her out. I found a wonderful place to board her. She can run around in a big yard all day and sleeps in the house with humans all night. Both the owners are vets. It is just wonderful. Belle hardly wants to go home.

IM me if you have any questions about pet sitting.

[SarahJ]

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You know your dog best and if you think he'd be happier at home than you're probably right.


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We too used to board our dog at a wonderful place with his trainer where he was just another member of the family, sleeping in her son's room and playing with the other dogs. But for our last trip, she wasn't available so we hired the daughter of one of DH's long time collegues to stay at our house. She's a college student and loves animals and came with great references since she also house/pet sits for my FIL. She treated our dog like he was her own, even taking him for hikes, etc.

I would say if you can find someone like we did, its wonderful to have someone actually staying at your home with the pets. Ask around at work and talk with neighbors and your vet. Then interview and get references on anyone you're thinking of using.

[Luv2laff]

We have done both-boarded our dog and had a housesitter. I liked the house sitter better because we have cats, fish, a bunny, and the dog. It's also nice to know that the house is being looked after while we are away as well. When I board Sam, I still have to have someone come check on the cats and the rest of the pets every day.

[JennyK]

We are lucky that our vet's office also runs a kennel. Our dogs are comfortable there and we know that they have the best of care. And if there's an emergency they're in the right spot! Any chance of finding a similar situation?

[snoozin]

Great, great ideas... thank you all!

My neighbor's adult (36 yr old) daughter works for a vet and pet sits (I just found this out recently -- we just moved in not too long ago); so we're going to have our neighbors niece (my dog LOVES her) visit daily to play, and then the adult check on him just to make sure he's ok.

Again... thanks all my passporter siblings -- your ideas and support is much appreciated!

[stonewall]

We're going to use a house sitter next time too as we have 2 dogs and 3 cats and they need too much attention.
Have a great trip!

[Steph_in_NC]

We usually leave ours at home. He is much happier in his own environment.

Have a great trip!

[Chrissi]

We always have a family member come to check on the kitties and water the plants in containers on the porch. The plants would be okay for a week, but the cats do need some love if they spend a week at home. Kenneling them was never an option. My cat, Morphu, sheds himself bald if a stranger comes into the house or he hears a siren as a cop car goes past the house. He does NOT handle new or unusual situations well. Both kitties are somewhat elderly now - 7 years old. Maybe if we had kenneled them as kittens, it wouldn't be so hard on them, but they just couldn't handle it now. They're much more comfortable at home. So we make arrangements to make them happy.

There's nothing worse than coming home to find a bald cat. He usually does have one or two bald spots from stress-shedding because he doesn't see my mom a lot and she worries him. By the 4th or 5th day, he usually warms up to her enough to let her pet him and love on him a little so he doesn't shed himself bald before we get home.

You should do whatever you think your critter would be the most comfortable with. A new kennel might not be the best idea if he's never been there before. If they offer grooming services at a kennel nearby, you might be able to take him there for some grooming and see if he warms up to the folks at the kennel before leaving him there for any length of time.

[applejenn]

We have a dog and a cat, we kennel the dog, she gets into trouble at night while she has the run of the place, as for the cat, my granny watches him, if its a short trip, the cat will stay home, with a big bowl of food, and we have a water dish thats like a fountain so it has fresh water, and hes happy as can be that way too. I wouldnt trust someone to come to the house for the dog, if she got away from that person, wouldnt be good while we are miles away

[graygables]

I am SO grateful my FIL is right next door, b/c we kenneled our dog once and I was miserable about it. It was a big barn with largish stalls, the dogs were cared for and exercised enough, but compared to her familiar surroundings of home, I couldn't do that to her again.

Now, we pay FIL to come over, feed, and walk her. Since his dog died, he's happy to have a part-time companion and spoils her rotten when we're away. I don't know what we'll do when he can't do it anymore.

[Princess Charming]

Of course, you know your dog and will now how he will likely handle your different options. I would certainly consider that dogs are pack animals and do not, in general, like to be alone. 11 days is a long time. Could you get someone you know to house sit? I do agree that the wrong kennel would be worse. A professional pet sitter could be an good choice.

[vsonnier]

I'm so glad yo uposted this question...I am having the same problem deciding. For the first half of our trip my dog will stay with DMIL but they are joining us 6 days into the trip so we are worried about what to do with my little Daisy. We left her at the vet's kennel one weekend this past March and she was absolutely traumatized by the time we picked her up. I felt aweful for her! Still...I don't like the idea of leaving her home by herself. She has a tendancy to pee and poo all over anything she can get to if we leave her for just a few hours...I can't imagine what she would do to my house in 6 days. I just don't know...UGH!