To Kennel or Not to Kennel: Examing the Pro's and Con's of Boarding Your Pet

If you're like the growing sector for Americans who would never consider going on vacation without their beloved pet, this article is for you. The pro's for taking a family pet(s) on vacation are as follows: saving on kennel bills which can be extremely high depending on length of stay, the ability to keep a supervised watch on your pet in case of emergency, accessibility to your pet at their designated meal times (especially those that require medication or a special diet), stability for your pet to keep on their scheduled walking, feeding, sleeping, and other daily routines, security for both your family and pet(s) as their environment is as close to normal as possible. For a pet, getting out of their routine and being away from loved ones can cause a great deal of stress.

In addition to the above reasons, you will save on the cost of gas, typically spent to get from the kennels to the hotels and back. While the savings may not seem like much, convenience; especially for those travelers who do not have access to a vehicle is another benefit of in room pet boarding. For RV enthusiasts, what better way to travel than to have the family pet along? Not only will you be happy, but your pet will be happy too, in a safe, secure, friendly, and familiar environment. Last but not least, one has to consider time restraints that would typically hinder the quality and length of a vacation. Should you choose to stay later at a park or increase the overall length of your vacation, having you pet with you will not incur any late fees. In addition, many kennels require you come visit your pet during their operational hours. Having your pet room in with you allows greater flexibility in carrying out your daily plans.

With the pro's, the con's must also be examined. Pet friendly hotels, which you will need to search for, usually require a non-refundable deposit. Some pet friendly hotels have pet rooms that are of lower quality (smells, stains on carpet) than non-pet rooms and are rented for an increased amount over non-pet friendly rooms. In addition to the lower quality rooms, housekeeping issues must be addressed. When it comes to cleaning your room, some delays and inconveniences may happen, especially if you are planning on being somewhere at a certain time. For example, many times housekeeping will not service a room unless you are there to monitor your pet.

Should you decide to kennel your pet, be proactive and call ahead to make sure there is room where you plan to board your pet. Dates of stay, type and size of breed, and pet policies all need to be confirmed. It is a necessity to always take your pet's vaccination records with them to the kennel location. If your pet has a special bed, blanket or toy, many kennels will allow you to leave them with your pet. If your pet has a digestive problem, bring along their daily food that they are used to. Many kennels only have dog or cat food on hand. Your turtles, rabbits, and birds will need their food brought from home. Moreover, be prepared for the unexpected. Bring along an extra water bottle and bedding to change cages in case your pet's home need refreshing. Small animals and bird cages are generally welcomed at most kennels; therefore habitability is not an issue.

On the day of boarding, adjustment should be the most important issue concerning your pet's mental and physical well being. When checking in your pet to the kennel, do not just drop it off. Spend some time with it to make sure you acquaint it with its new surroundings. Keep in mind some kennels require you to visit your pet twice a day to walk and feed it. You're pet will feel happy and less stressed when you can give it the attention it needs.

Whether kenneling or not, enjoy your vacation knowing that the family pet is well taken care of.