The essentials
- Each situation is different — Unique circumstances and your pet’s individual needs mean that every situation needs a well-thought-out, custom approach.
- Be prepared — Planning ahead can help your and your pet’s stress levels while on vacation.
- Don’t feel guilty — It’s a common feeling, but maintaining a routine is incredibly important for pets.
As much as we might wish, pets don’t fully understand complex situations like their owners’ choice to go on vacation without them. To them, it’s your absence that they’ll notice first, so it’s important to make sure they’re safe and in a solid routine during your vacation.
The importance of maintaining your pet’s routine
Sometimes, we simply can’t bring our pets when we leave home. Leaving your pet in the care of someone else while you vacation doesn’t make you a bad pet parent. In fact, by doing your best to prepare ahead of time, you’re doing the exact right thing.
Keeping your pet’s routine alive and well even when you’re not there will do wonders in alleviating stress and anxiety. Some working breeds, like German Shepherds and Australian Shepherds, are genetically predisposed to developing separation anxiety. Limiting potential triggers like schedule and residence changes is a good first step for minimizing separation anxiety when it can’t be avoided.
Dr. Dwight AlleyneA routine helps with predictability, provides behavioral stability, can improve mental stimulation, and improves pet owner's bond with their pet.
Routines can go a long way in supporting metabolism and healthy digestion, like feeding them at the same time every day. A daily schedule ensures potty training sticks, keeps dogs “regular,” and lends a feeling of security from knowing what to expect day to day. While vacationing can inherently throw things out of whack because you physically aren’t there, maintaining that routine can provide comfort.
Ask a neighbor, family member, or friend
The ideal situation would be having a trusted individual come to your house to care for your pet. The more you can keep their surroundings familiar, the better. A neighbor can be a great option if your pet requires multiple visits daily, especially if they’ve been around your pet before and already have a relationship with them.
When friends, family members, and neighbors look after your pet as a favor, this can often mean that they are only available when it’s convenient for them. For pets dependent on a schedule and routine to minimize stress, it’s best to work something out that is convenient for both the sitter and your pet.
Offering a payment is one way to encourage visits at a specified time—how much will depend on what they’re doing, how convenient it is, and your pet’s needs. If going the cash route, we recommend paying a fair rate of 40-70% of what you’d pay for professional service.
👉 It’s important to note that anxiety and stress can cause a pet’s behavior to change; normally kind pets can become standoffish even with people they know.
Pet sitters
With so many options out there, opting for a pet sitter can be a great choice. If you have a preferred pet sitter in mind, sometimes paying them extra to maintain whatever routine your pet has—instead of dropping in when convenient for them—is appreciated. You can also opt for a professional pet-sitting service. Sometimes though, it’s better for the same person to come take care of your pet every time to build trust.
Drop-in’s are straightforward and great, but if your pet has more serious needs you should consider an overnight pet sitter. As with any option, how much you’ll pay will depend on the service you need and for how long. Pet sitters are a costlier option than a friend, so keep that in mind.
How to find a great pet sitter
Thankfully, finding a pet sitter is incredibly easy. There are a ton of websites like Rover, Care.com, and TrustedHousesitters where you can specify your needs. From there, you can chat with them to see if they’d be a good fit.
- Certifications. Are they certified in pet CPR and first aid?
- Updates. You can clarify how often you’ll receive updates (images, texts, etc.) about your pet.
- Insurance. Are they insured and licensed?
- Meeting beforehand. Meeting beforehand to see how they get along with your pet can give you peace of mind.
Doggie hotel
In the event that you can’t have someone come to your house, overnight care can be great because your pet will receive around-the-clock care. They often have different levels of care depending on your pet’s needs, and how much attention your pet receives often comes down to paying extra. Because of that, traditional boarding can become fairly expensive, ranging from $30-$120 per night, not including premium amenities or playtime.
How to choose a facility
Making the choice to board your pet can be hard, especially if you haven’t before. Here are the factors you need to consider for making the best choice.
- Experience. Determine who will be taking care of your pet day-to-day and what their qualifications and experience are.
- State of the facility. Visit the facility ahead of time to see what the environment is like. Is it incredibly loud? Smelly? Overcrowded? Or is it clean, quiet, and with an appropriate number of pets?
- Care options. Boarding facilities often have a menu of sorts for how much care you want your pet to receive. Ask them what they offer and how much it costs.
- Routine. What does the routine for pets look like every day? How do they address any issues that may come up with your pet?
- Daycare. Do they have a “test run” option where you can have your pet stay for a few hours during the day to see how they fare?
- Updates. Determine how often you’ll receive updates about your pets.
According to Dr. Dwight Alleyne, “[a facility’s fit] will depend on a pet’s personality especially if they have the tendency to be anxious. But, some signs may include a facility that has a strong odor or is unclean. This may indicate the facility is not maintained well or not well staffed.”
Tips leading up to vacation
Even while we’re away on vacation, we’ll be thinking of our pets. Prior to going, make sure you plan to ensure your pet is healthy, happy, and safe.
1. Don’t make a fuss when you go
Dragging out your goodbyes with your pet usually makes adjusting to your absence more difficult. We recommend keeping things short and sweet and holding back any big emotions until you’re away from your pet. Because pets pick up on energy, this can cause additional stress.
Save all the big, sloppy head kisses for when you come back.
2. Prioritize routine
Wherever your pet ends up, whether at your home or at a facility, prioritizing routine is critical. That means ensuring you’ve made the proper preparations ahead of time so that those caring for your pet have what they need to make the transition seamless.
3. Leave your pet with a trusted individual or business
This seems obvious, but make sure your pet is in the care of someone you know will look at watching them as a major responsibility. This is, after all, a living creature deserving of attention and respect. So make sure whoever you hire or ask is up to the task and knows what they’re getting into ahead of time.
4. Organize your pet’s supplies
From food to toys, make sure your pet’s unique needs are going to be addressed. Think long and hard about what your pet needs in their daily life and stock up. Feel free to portion out food or treats ahead of time.
5. Do your research
Hiring a stranger to take care of your furry friend can feel daunting, but diving into the research can make you feel better about your decision. After all, not all pet sitters or boarding facilities are created equal. If you can, seek out recommendations from friends, coworkers, and neighbors.
6. Leave contact information
In the event of an emergency—or even an innocent question—you’ll want whoever is watching your pet to know how to get into contact. Provide your contact information and location as well as the information for your vet and the emergency vet in the area.
Frequently asked questions
Do pets get sad when you leave them for vacation?
Yes. This shouldn’t make you feel bad though because once you return it’ll be the best reunion!
Why is routine important for animals?
In short, it provides security and stability. This can allow them to anticipate things like mealtime, playtime, etc. Routine can also curb stress and anxiety, making them altogether more comfortable with your absence.
How long does two weeks feel to a dog?
Unfortunately, we don’t know! Dogs don’t seem to have a solid understanding of time like we do. However, we do know that they can certainly experience and perceive changes in time.
Why is it important to spend time with your pets?
Bonding, of course! And spending time with your pets doesn’t just benefit them. It can improve physical health through exercise, lower stress levels, and improved moods in humans.
Should I video call my dog while on vacation?
If you want, but sometimes hearing your voice without being able to physically see you (remember that dogs don’t know it’s you on a screen) can cause more anxiety.
