Many pet owners, especially those who are gone for many hours a day at work or other obligations, worry about how their pet may be feeling when home all alone. For some pets, spending the day at home alone is of no concern. Just as many people love to have time to themselves, many pets do too. However, many pets start exhibiting signs of acute anxiety when they are left home alone for too long.
Signs of separation anxiety can include defecation or urination inside the house, neighborhood complaints of barking or howling, chewing on furniture, digging holes in the backyard (if the dog has outdoor access), pacing, and even worse, coprophagia. And it is not uncommon to find that your pet has developed a profession as an escape artist when you are away.
For these reasons, many pet owners look into daytime as well as overnight pet boarding options. But how do you know if pet daycare is right for your furry friend?
The Pros Of Pet Daycare
Your pet may absolutely benefit from a pet daycare option. Your pet can socialize with humans that will treat them as their own. While social interaction with other pets is not our practice here at All Star Pet Resort, we do ensure that our staff provides care for your pet as though they were their own. We love animals, and we have devoted our careers to caring for dogs and cats. Our expertise will reassure your pet, allowing them to feel calmer and more relaxed when you are away.
You will also have the peace of mind that you won’t get a call from an annoyed neighbor that they found your dog (or cat) running loose down the street, or that your dog has been barking for the last hour straight.
Some pet daycare centers offer dog grooming as an additional benefit, and this can be a great treat for both dog owner as well as the dog, especially when performed shortly before you pick your dog up from daycare. This means that your dog won’t come home with the smell of other pets or places. Also, this can really be a time-saver for dog owners who now don’t have to find additional time to run their dog to a grooming appointment.
The Cons Of Pet Daycare
While of course, we believe that pet daycare provides a great solution for stressed pet owners, it is important that you are properly educated on your options as there are some cons to the pet daycare approach. The first concern that you should be aware of is that not all pet care facilities can be trusted. When choosing a pet daycare, think of your pet just like you would a human child, because your fur babies are super important! So, any pet daycare that you select should be able to meet the same standards as a child daycare facility. Be sure that before you drop your pet off just anywhere, that you take the time to tour the facility and find out how the pets are fed. Also, be sure to take a look at some pets that belong to other owners, that are currently in care by that facility.
Though socialization of dogs is important, at All Star Pet Resort, we prefer to leave this responsibility to pet owners. Being subjected to other cats or dogs can sometimes be even more stressful for your pet. And, exposure to dominant dogs, especially if your dog is the dominant one at home, can result in aggression and potential injury to your pet and our staff. So, if you are looking for pet socialization when you are away, please know that this is something your pet will not be offered when in our care. However, if you know that your dog or cat wouldn’t do well in a social pet setting, then remove this point from the cons and add it to the pros above.
Unfortunately, just like with childcare centers, pet daycare facilities can experience outbreaks of various illnesses. Fleas, ticks, and Bordetella can run rampant when dogs are kept in close proximity within one another. Therefore, not only should you ensure that your pet is up to date on all vaccinations, but you should also ensure that any pet daycare facility that you are considering conducts a parasite check when your pet arrives. If you do not see this in practice, immediately scratch that pet daycare facility off your list.
Does Your Pet Need An Escape From Home?
We understand that sometimes, your dog or cat needs an escape from being home alone. So, it’s critical to find a trusted and compassionate boarding company like All Star Pet Resort, that understands how to keep your pets safe and happy. Plus, with on-site dog grooming services like The Hair of the Dog Pet Spa, you can feel confident that your dogs are enjoying their day just as much as you (and maybe more if your day involves eight or more hours at work).
Follow us on Facebook for more great tips or call us at (310)320-8799 to easily book your next boarding service or (323)710-0472 for grooming services.
