Good pet vacation plans depend on the individual pet and your special circumstances. When my mother became ill and then passed away, we need to find a pet boarding place for Shadow-Pup and Karma-Kat to stay. Does your dog love riding in the car, meeting new people at the boarding kennel, hide from pet sitters, or become hyper around strangers? Maybe you’d like to learn about traveling with your pet.
Perhaps Chance the cat enjoys riding in the car but your brother’s dog hates kitties, or Grandma is allergic. Are pets more comfortable at a kennel away from your nephew’s hair-pulling fingers? Or does your pet go on a hunger strike if boarded?
PET VACATION?
I can’t remember the last time that my husband and I had a vacation together, but I do remember how boarding my dog led to a broken arm (read on for that story!). Since that time, we make an effort to not be gone at the same time. There are times, though, when we must leave them behind, maybe not for vacation but other reasons.
I’m very particular when it comes to who I trust to care for my furry wonders. Most pet parents are. It can be tough to find the RIGHT pet vacation service that doesn’t cost a furry arm-and-a-tail or that you don’t have to travel a great distance to find. Here are some options to consider for your cats and dogs.
Generational Difference Impact Pet Parents (And Pets)
A new-to-me company, Trusted House sitters, conducted a recent survey that revealed surprising results. They compared Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Gen X & Z generations in how they relate to their animal companions.
Guilty Pleasure-ers: Millennials and Gen Z most willingly give up their guilty pleasures (social media, alcohol, coffee, sleeping in, and their favorite TV show) instead of leaving their pet in an overnight kennel for a week.
Excuse-Makers: Gen X and Boomers are 2x less likely to use their pet as an excuse than Gen Z and Millennials. Gen Z and Millenials are more likely to use their pet as an excuse to avoid social gatherings with friends.
Entertainment Ease: After their pet’s favorite toy, Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to play music to calm their pets, whereas Gen X and Boomers are more likely to turn on the TV. The most popular song mentioned as a pet favorite is “Who Let The Dogs Out?” (not a particularly calming piece of artistry!).
Helicopter Parents: After spending two years watching their pet’s every move, nearly one third of Millennial pet parents have taken to GPS/Activity collar devices to obsessively track their fur babies as they may head back into the office and social scene. I’ve heard from may pet lovers they now use cameras and apps to interact long-distance with their furries.
Cats typically hate vacations. The best choice for cats, paws down, is a pet sitter. That person can come into the home at least once a day, sift the cat box, check the food and water, and make sure Kitty hasn’t picked the window lock with his rabies tag and escaped into the great beyond. A pet sitter for your dog’s stay-cation works well, too. Learn more about pet sitter options here.
WHEN STAY-CATION WON’T WORK FOR DOGS
Veterinarians may have kennel space available for dogs or cats with health issues that need monitoring. Even if they don’t, ask your veterinarian for recommendations regarding boarding facilities.
Reputable kennels require proof of adequate health care, so get vaccination proof from your veterinarian in advance. The best of these boarding facilities offer home-like environments with sofas, playtime with other dogs, cat trees, videos of squirrels to watch, or even internet access for you to check in on them from the road. Of course, the more they offer, the higher the $$ too, so sometimes it comes down to whether you’ll fund holiday gifts for the rest of the family, or a stay-cation for your pet.
Some dog boarding facilities require animals to be neutered. That’s especially true for facilities that include doggy daycare options for pet interactions. Check everything first.
BE A RESPONSIBLE PET PARENT, TOO
Whether pets stay in your home or have a pets vacation at the kennel, be sure to leave caretakers detailed information. That should include each pet’s care needs, veterinary contact information, and emergency phone numbers where you can be reached. Leave your pets’ leash, medications and other “must-haves” in an easy access area and show the pet sitter where to find them, or provide them in the kit that accompanies your pet to their home.
Alert the neighbors that a pet sitter or family friend will be coming and going from your home so they won’t be alarmed at strangers in the neighborhood, and give the pet sitter your neighbor’s name and phone number. Talk with your veterinarian about signing a “just in case” authorization for medical care (you can designate the dollar amount). That way, emergency care is available and funded even if you are unavailable to give your okay in person.
I BROKE MY ARM BOARDING MY DOG
You think I’m kidding? Au contraire!
Years ago, we didn’t have many options when we traveled, other than to board our dog at the kennel. He always came home smelling funky like the kennel, too, and needed a bath. Today, of course, many facilities offer bath options before you pick up your furry wonder. That would have changed the outcome.
My first shepherd hated the kennel! Wish we’d had another alternative… Image Copr Amy Shojai, CABC
I gathered materials and persuaded my 70-pound Shepherd to get into the tub of sudsy, warm water. No sooner had I got him standing in the several inches of warm, sudsy water than the phone rang in the next room. Yes, this was long before cell phones…
I told my good-boy to “stay” and turned to go answer the phone. He wanted to follow me, dripping water and suds. Quick-like-a-bunny, I whirled to stop him–
And slipped on the wet linoleum, fell, and landed on one outstretched hand, and BROKE–MY–RIGHT–WRIST!
Now I’m on the floor, screaming (I’ve never felt such pain). A kennel-stinky-dripping-suds dog climbed on my lap, also crying, licking my face, probably thinks I’m dying Finally, I managed to wriggle out from under him, lever myself upright, get to the phone that has since stopped ringing, and call my husband at work to take me to the ER.
CHOOSE VACATION OPTIONS WISELY…
The dog never got his bath. I wore a right-angled cast for six weeks. So boarding my dog not only broke my arm, it killed several writing deadlines. These days, if we ever choose to board Bravo-Dawg, I’ll make sure to include a bath in the services before pick up.
How about you? What do you do when you hit the road? Do you board your dog? Take him with you on your travels? Engage a pet sitter for your kitty? Have you ever broken your arm bathing your dog? Do tell! Rover pet sitters may be a good option!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter.
Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE! Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!
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6 Comments
Frank Steele
on September 9, 2023 at 7:21 am
Always great information, and (honestly) I enjoy the animal photos as much as the text. Thank you!
When I was young child we boarded our pure white cat in a kennel. That didn’t work. To say the least she was never the after we brought her home from vacation. Cats are not meant to be boarded in kennels they want to stay at home. Cat sitting didn’t work for us either. Our cat bit the cat sitter, So much easier to go somewhere nice with a lake close to your home then in a few days you can go home and check on them then go back on vacation. Everyone is different but that is how we do it now and it works out fine for us.
Oh wow, Chrystal, I’m glad you’ve found something that works for you! Years ago, we had someone (a friend’s high schooler, not a professional) take care of our first cat, too, while we were away–and she was never the same. We’d asked them to keep her in one area of the house, and we believe she got out (or was allowed out to play) and then chased to put her back. She’d always loved and gone to strangers, and after that, no way! So yes, it’s important to find the right balance for your individual situation.
August 17 is Black Cat Appreciation Day to counter the Halloween black cat negative myths. Of course, those folks who share their lives (and pillows!) with a special black cat know better. Sadly, too many black cats remain in shelters rather than being adopted.
In fact, some evidence supports the notion that black cats (one of the first “mutations” of wild coat color), enhanced what I call the feline friendly factor. Black cats often seem to be much more agreeable and love spending time with their chosen human. Maybe that’s why so many of the so-called witches were associated with black kitties.
People have more difficulty picking cats because they assume all felines are the same. And because usually, cats pick us.
Halloween pet safety is needed every year. Halloween at its best is a night of mystery, fun, and thrills for human children and many adults. It’s important to keep your human kiddoes safe with these tips, but no less important for the pets. I write about Halloween pets safety every year because it can be a nightmare for your furry kids.
Do you enjoy dressing up the house—and yourself—for the holidays? If you want to include Halloween pet costumes, start now to get them used to the notion. Most of the costumes don’t fit Bravo-Dawg, and I’ve not yet tried Shadow-Pup. I’ll share pictures if/when that happens.
Meanwhile, be sure to keep pets safe over Halloween, though. Dogs and cats aren’t always fans of wearing Halloween costumes, but with these tips, you can help pets accept the notion.
Halloween Pet Costumes
Some pets enjoy dressing up, particularly the small dogs already used to wearing coats and sweaters in cool weather. There are many pet costumes available from pet products stores, from fancy to plain. If your outgoing, confident pet is willing, you can have great fun with costumes. But if your pets don’t care for dress up, don’t press it. Many pets may bite over Halloween out of fear of change.
Even reluctant pets may be persuaded to wear a fancy collar or bandana or painted toenails.
Every year, I write about our old cat needs. While Karma-Kat has just reached middle age, cats age at different rates. When do you consider your cat old? Is your old cat a senior kitty by age 8, or 13, or…when? For cats, what is old? Here’s how the experts define ‘old age’ in cats…
Can we take a minute to talk about something almost every pet parent deals with?
Although pet hair and odors are a small price to pay to have our furry ones at home with us, the fuzz and funky smells can sometimes seem overwhelming!
This morning as I stared into the face of my grinning Shadow-Pup and dodged his bruising tail flagellations, I envied him. And I envied my Karma-Kat and Trinity-Kittty who still hadn’t roused themselves from daily 16-plus-hour sleep marathons. I mean, I really had a moment of green-eyed angst that Shadow lives a dog’s life and the cats lives in a dream-world (literally!) while my husband and I bust our buttons keeping them in kibble. But is this a fair assessment? Just for fun, here’s a comparison.
Yes, cat separation anxiety affects many felines. When school restarts, and the kids go back to class, your cats (and your dogs) may suffer from separation anxiety. The signs of distress are very different, though. I encourage you to read on to learn about tips for helping your furry family members adjust.
We very often hear about doggy angst during a beloved human’s absence, but what about cats? Yep, it’s exactly the same—only different. Here’s how.
WIth back to school this month, you may wonder how to deal with dog separation anxiety. Whether the adults change work schedules, kids have less time to play with Fido, or college and classes means routine goes out the window, dog separation behaviors cause stress for everyone. Will canine separation anxiety become a problem for your dog? After summer vacation with the kiddos, dogs left behind at home can mope and feel awful…and so can cats. Any kind of absence might result in canine separation anxiety. Here’s what you need to know.
It’s National Pet Health Month! Each November, we celebrate old dogs during their “official” month. But when is your dog considered old? We love our senior citizen dogs for the special joy they bring every day. But once a year, we celebrate old dogs during November Adopt A Senior Pet Month.
What is considered “old?” There are individual differences between pets, just as there are for people. While one person may act, look and feel “old” at fifty-five, another fifty-five-year-old remains active with a youthful attitude and appearance. Aging is influenced by a combination of genetics, environment, and health care over a lifetime. The oldest dog on record was an Australian Cattle Dog who lived for twenty-nine years and five months…
I’ve written about how to care for an elderly dog before, but this post addresses how to know when your canine friends become old dogs.
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Always great information, and (honestly) I enjoy the animal photos as much as the text. Thank you!
I have fun finding the pictures.
When I was young child we boarded our pure white cat in a kennel. That didn’t work. To say the least she was never the after we brought her home from vacation. Cats are not meant to be boarded in kennels they want to stay at home. Cat sitting didn’t work for us either. Our cat bit the cat sitter, So much easier to go somewhere nice with a lake close to your home then in a few days you can go home and check on them then go back on vacation. Everyone is different but that is how we do it now and it works out fine for us.
Oh wow, Chrystal, I’m glad you’ve found something that works for you! Years ago, we had someone (a friend’s high schooler, not a professional) take care of our first cat, too, while we were away–and she was never the same. We’d asked them to keep her in one area of the house, and we believe she got out (or was allowed out to play) and then chased to put her back. She’d always loved and gone to strangers, and after that, no way! So yes, it’s important to find the right balance for your individual situation.
Every week I learn something new. Thank you (again) for the lesson.
Thanks Frank!