If you are a dog owner, you know how hard it can be to leave your furry friend alone at home when you must work, travel, or attend to other commitments. You want your dog to be happy, safe, and well-cared for, but you also need to consider your budget, schedule, and preferences.

Fortunately, there are two options that can help you provide the best care for your dog when you are away: dog sitting (offered by Flowers Cleaning) in and doggy daycare. But how do you choose between them? What are the pros and cons of each option? And what factors should you consider before making a decision? In this blog post, we will compare dog sitting and doggy daycare to give you some tips on how to choose the most appropriate option for your dog.

What is dog sitting?

Dog sitting is when you hire someone to come to your home and take care of your dog while you are away. The dog sitter can visit your home once or twice a day, or stay overnight, depending on your needs and agreement. The dog sitter can feed, walk, play with, and cuddle your dog, as well as administer any medication or special care that your dog may need.

The main advantage of dog sitting is that your dog can stay in the comfort and familiarity of your home, which can reduce stress and anxiety for both you and your dog. Your dog can also maintain its regular routine and diet and avoid exposure to other dogs that may carry diseases or parasites.

The main disadvantage of dog sitting is that it can be more expensive than doggy daycare, especially if you need overnight or multiple visits per day. You need to trust the person who is entering your home and taking care of your dog, and make sure they are reliable, responsible, and qualified.

What is doggy daycare?

Doggy daycare is when you drop off your dog at a facility where it can interact with other dogs and humans under supervision. The facility can be a dedicated doggy daycare center, a boarding kennel, a veterinary clinic, or a pet store. The staff at the facility can feed, walk, play with, and monitor your dog throughout the day. The main advantage of doggy daycare is that your dog can socialize with other dogs and humans, which can improve its behavior, mood, and health.

Your dog can also burn off excess energy and boredom, which can prevent destructive or unwanted behaviors at home. The main disadvantage of doggy daycare is that it can be stressful for some dogs, especially if they are not used to being around other dogs or in unfamiliar environments. Your dog may also catch diseases or parasites from other dogs or get injured in fights or accidents. You also must consider the cost, availability, and quality of the facility, and make sure it meets your standards and expectations.

How to choose between dog sitting and doggy daycare?

There is no definitive answer to which option is better for your dog. It depends on several factors, such as:

• Your dog’s personality: Is your dog friendly or shy? Active or calm? Independent or clingy? Some dogs may enjoy the stimulation and company of other dogs at a daycare center, while others may prefer the peace and quiet of their own home with a dog sitting.
• Your dog’s needs: Does your dog have any special needs, such as medical conditions, dietary restrictions, or behavioral issues? Some dogs may require more attention and care than others, which may be easier to provide at home with a dog sitter than at a daycare center with many other dogs.
• Your budget: How much can you afford to spend on your dog’s care? Dog sitting can be more expensive than doggy daycare per day, but it may also save you money on transportation costs or extra services that a daycare center may charge.

Other considerations about dog sitting to take into account

• Your schedule: How long will you be away from your dog? How often do you need someone to take care of your dog? Dog sitting can be more flexible than doggy daycare in terms of timing and frequency of visits or stays.
• Your preferences: What are your personal preferences for your dog’s care? Do you want your dog to have more human interaction or more canine interaction? Do you want your dog to stay in its familiar environment or explore new places? Do you want to have more control over who takes care of your dog or trust the professionals?

The best way to choose between dog sitting and doggy daycare is to weigh the pros and cons of each option according to these factors, and see which one suits your situation better.

You can also ask for recommendations from other dog owners, read reviews online, visit different facilities or sitters in person, and ask questions about their policies and procedures. Ultimately, the most important thing is that you choose an option that makes you and your dog happy and comfortable. Send a message to Flowers Cleaning today to know more about our services of dog sitting.