What to do with your pet when you go out of town

Being a pet parent can feel like a full-time job, but life still brings other demands. Work trips and vacations are inevitable — even on the most attentive pet parents’ schedule — but depending on your pet’s personality, and if they travel well, you have options. Boarding and at-home pet sitting are the two most common options, with the choice of drop-in or stay-in pet sitters for home visits.  If you decide to take your pet along for the ride, resources like BringFido can help you plan rest breaks and find pet-friendly places to eat and stay.

How to decide what to do with your pet while you’re traveling

While you may want to travel with your pet — or you’re secretly looking forward to a temporary break from responsibilities — the ultimate decision of what to do with your pet while you’re away depends on several factors. Here are some practical things you might want to consider:  

• Does your pet get along with other animals? If they aren’t social with other animals, boarding might not be a good idea. Hiring a pet sitter or asking someone to watch them in your house would be better if you’re leaving them in town. If they travel well, you might opt to take them with you.
• Do they have any medical considerations? If your pet requires daily medication or has health problems, you’ll need to find someone to give them extra care beyond checking on their food and water. Alternatively, you might consider boarding them at a veterinary clinic.
• How well does your pet do on car rides? If your dog barks at every stop light on the way to the vet, that’s a red flag for road trips.
• Are they caught up on vaccines? Most boarding facilities won’t take your pet if they’re behind on core vaccines such as rabies. The Bordetella vaccine is also usually required. Vacation destinations may require vaccine records, and if you’re flying with your pet, you’ll need to secure medical records and be prepared to show them when booking your flight.

Board at a boarding facility

While boarding can be a cringy topic for some pet parents, not every boarding facility is the same. These days, many “pet spas” function like cruises, providing your pet with communal playtime and putting them up in large individual air-conditioned “rooms” that are sometimes even outfitted with TVs. They might have just as good a vacation — or better — than you!

‍What to look for in a pet kennel

‍Not every place is reputable, but you can reduce your risk of putting your pet in a potentially hazardous situation by knowing the answers to these questions:

• How many pets does the facility board? Look for a low pet-to-caretaker ratio. Touring the facility also tells you if it’s overcrowded.
• Does the facility enforce vaccine requirements? Reputable boarding facilities should make sure the animals hold current vaccine records and are on flea/tick prevention.
• How is the environment? At the very least, the facility should have ample room for your pet and have heat and A/C. You also want to pay attention to noise levels and note how the place smells.
• What are the credentials? If you’re booking through a boarding facility run by an individual or at someone’s house, make sure they have a solid reputation and background in animal care.
• Is someone there at night? Having someone on staff at night can give you greater peace of mind.
• How often will your dog be let out? Your dog needs a walk at least once every eight hours to ensure they can go potty. The last thing you want is to come home to a dog who is no longer house-trained due to neglect.
• How’s their reputation? Ask other pet parents in your community about the boarding facility or where they board their pets. And always check Google Reviews.  
• Is your pet a good candidate? Severe separation anxiety or fear of other animals might make boarding less than ideal. In the worst-case scenario, they might even become ill from stress or lash out at other animals at the facility. It’s best to acknowledge their limits and plan accordingly.
• What is the emergency protocol? If your pet becomes ill while you’re away, will the boarding facility contact you and take them to the vet? “Every boarding facility is different,” Dr. Schott says, “However they should have a protocol set up to contact you immediately if there are any health concerns and to take your pet to an emergency vet for medical care if they are injured or sick.”

👉If possible, visit the boarding facility before you book your trip. If your trip is months in advance, you might even consider letting your pet stay for one night as a trial run before committing to a long-term stay.

‍Leave your pet with friends or family

While your pet might still miss you, a familiar relative or friend is the next best thing. Be prepared to feel a little jealous if you come back and your pet doesn’t want to come home with you.

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It’s easy to assume people you’re familiar with already know how to care for your pet, but remember that they don’t know the ins and outs of your pet’s life like you do.  Leave detailed instructions for things like how much food to give them and how often to let them outside.

Hire a pet sitter

You generally have three options for pet-sitters: someone who checks on your dog at least once daily, stays at your house overnight, or takes care of your dog in their own home. The right type for you might depend on your pet’s level of care. For example, a cat with diabetes may need someone who can stay overnight to give them medicine and make sure they’re comfortable.

Finding the right sitter is just as important as deciding on the type. Scouting community Facebook pages and checking verifiable sites like Rover can help you find a vetted, experienced professional. If you don’t know the sitter, it’s wise to invite them over for a meet and greet with your dog first so you can all get to know each other.

Have neighbors check-in

If you have a relatively low-maintenance pet, another option might be to hire or trade cookies with your neighbor to check on them a couple of times a day. Like you would with a trusted sitter or friend, be sure to leave detailed instructions for your pet’s care.

Take your pet with you

If you can’t stop dreaming of you and your pet on the open road, secure pet-friendly accommodations early and obtain a current version of your pet’s medical record to take with you. It’s also a good idea to verify that their microchip is up-to-date with your information and attach some form of identification to their collar in case they get lost. Signing up for FidoTabby Alert gives your pet a free ID for their collar and registers them in a nationwide network of pet parents who can help you locate your pet in an emergency.

Scan the route before you hit the road to plan your travel stops. Sources like Bring Fido can help you locate pet-friendly restaurants and rest stops when the road becomes a grind.

If you’re flying, you’ll need to book your flight well in advance to secure their place on the plane. Only a limited number of animals are allowed on planes, and most pets must go in the cargo hold area unless they weigh 20 pounds or less.

Tips for preparing your pets for vacation

In between packing your own bags, make sure your dog’s accommodations are squared away in the days leading up to your trip. Here are a few things you might want to do to prepare:

• Pack your dog’s supplies or place them in an easily accessible area. Round up food, treats, toys, medications, and anything else they might need while you’re away. If you’re taking your pet, test their leashes and harnesses and attach some form of identification to their collar.
• Spend quality time with your pet. While you’ll inevitably miss each other, catching some moments together beforehand can ease the anxiety you both feel when you’re apart.
• Establish emergency contacts and plans. You should always leave your phone number with whoever is watching your pet, but you might want to take a step further and leave contact information for someone you trust locally in an emergency. After all, there’s only so much you can do from Cancun.

Whether you’re traveling for business or recreation, securing accommodations for your pet upfront takes some of the stress away. Knowing your pet’s needs and limits keeps your expectations realistic and will give you peace while you’re out of town — whether they’re traveling with you or not.

Frequently asked questions

How do pet owners go on vacation?

Since pet-friendly accommodations are limited, it helps to plan ahead. Resources like BringFido and pet-friendly filters on vacation rental sites show places your dog or cat can go. If you feel more comfortable boarding your pet or hiring a pet sitter, you’ll also want to book their stay far in advance — especially if you’re traveling on a holiday.

What can I do with my pets when I go on vacation?

Boarding, hiring a pet sitter, leaving your pet at a friend’s house, or taking them on vacation with you may all be valid options, depending on your pet and where you’re going. Sometimes, you might not have a choice, such as if the pet-friendly cabins are booked or the boarding facility is full. Planning ahead leaves the decision up to you. In the worst-case scenario, you may ask a neighbor or family member to come over and check on your pet once or twice a day.

Can I leave my pet alone for a week?

Even if your pet stays in your house alone for a week while you’re gone, someone still needs to check on them every day. At the bare minimum, the sitter should check if your pet has food, water, and any bathroom necessities, such as a clean litter box. If your dog goes potty outside, they’ll need to go out at least every 8 hours and more than that if they’re a puppy. Never leave your pet unattended for more than 24 hours.  

Do dogs get upset when you leave them for vacation?

You are your dog’s best friend, so it’s natural for them to feel sad when you leave for work or vacation. Dogs with intense separation anxiety may do better if you hire a sitter to stay at your house or take your dog to a trusted relative or friend for the duration of your trip.

What do you do with your cat when you go on vacation?

Cats usually feel most comfortable in their home. Hiring a pet sitter to check on them once daily may be the best route, but it depends on your cat. Suppose your cat has a medical condition requiring constant care or multiple daily medicines. In that case, it might be better to hire someone to stay with your pet overnight or book your cat a stay in a veterinary boarding facility.

Some cats are also chill travelers. If your cat is down for the ride, it’s a good idea to make sure their vaccine and microchip information is up-to-date before the trip. While they should travel in a carrier, you’ll also want to pack a leash and harness for any potential outdoor excursions.

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