Pet Day Care

Pet day care provides a place where you can leave your dog or cat while you’re at work or away from home for other reasons.  You can usually leave your pet for just a few hours or for a full day.  It’s a great way for your pet to have an active, enjoyable life instead of staying home alone!

In this post, we’ll discuss:

• • • • 4 Benefits of Pet Day Care
      • 14 Things to Look for in Pet Day Care
      • How Much Does Pet Day Care Cost?
      • Dog Day Care
      • Cat Day Care
      • How to Find a Good Pet Sitter
      • Keeping Pets Entertained While You’re at Work
      • Is Pet Day Care OK for Your Pet?

  WATCH MY VIDEO: Should You Use Pet Day Care Services?

4 Benefits of Pet Day Care

Pet day care provides many benefits for your pet, and for you.  Here are just a few:

1.  Socialization and activities. Dogs especially need to interact with people and other dogs.  Most dogs, especially younger dogs, will benefit from having daily activities and socialization.

Some cats very much enjoy the company of people and other cats, especially if they’re the only cat in your household.

2.  Exercise and mental stimulation.  Pet day care can provide a way for your pet to stay active, which is important especially for young pets.  Plus, all pets need regular mental stimulation.  Both exercise and mental stimulation can help reduce anxiety, stress and hyperactivity.

3.  Your pet is supervised.  Having your pet spend the day in a place where they’re supervised by professionals is comforting for pet owners, especially if the pet day care also provides fun, safe activities and safe interaction with other pets.

4.  Playtime, activities, nap time and training.  Most pet day care centers have planned activities.  They usually have places where your pet can rest or sleep if they wish.  And some even offer pet training.

14 Things to Look for in Pet Day Care

When you’re choosing a pet day care, you have to make sure they provide a healthy, safe environment for your pet that’s going to provide appropriate engagement and activities.  Here are 14 key points to consider:

1. Is the staff qualified?  The staff at the pet day care should be trained in first aid, animal behavior and emergency procedures.

2.  Are there enough staff members?  The lower the pet-to-staff ratio, the more individualized supervision and attention each pet will receive.  There should be no more than 10 or 15 pets assigned to one staff member.  I think less is better.

3.  Is the facility safe?  The pet care facility should have secure fencing, gates and supervised entrances/exists to prevent pets from escaping.  They should have adequate vaccination requirements (rabies, distemper, kennel cough),

Also, make sure proper emergency procedures are in place.  Is there a veterinarian on call?

4.  Is the facility clean? The facility should use proper sanitation techniques and be kept clean to prevent illness (and stinkiness!)

5.  Comfortable temperature and proper ventilation.  You want to make sure your pet is going to be comfortable in the space and that there is good air circulation to reduce the spread of illness.

6.  Adequate supervision.  All pets should be supervised to make sure there are no accidents, injuries, or fights.

7.  Adequate interaction. Interaction among pets should be properly monitored according to the pet’s size, energy level (or age) and the pet’s temperment and comfort.

8.  Nap time!  Pets need a break from interaction with people and other pets and from play and exercise.  Make sure the pet care facility provides rest areas.

9.  Activities.  The pet day care should offer a variety of activities for your pets that include things like puzzle toys or other interactive toys, training sessions and agility exercises.

10.  Lovins!  Your pet should receive individualzed attention, especially if they have special needs like a medical or health issue, age-related issues, stress or anxiety.  Make sure you ask about personalized care if your pet has special needs (or even if they don’t!)

11.  Ask for a trial day for your pet.  A good pet day care enter will allow you to bring your pet for a day to evaluate your pet’s reactions and behavior.  You’ll get to see if your pet is comfortable in a group setting and at that particular facility.  The staff should be able to help you decide if the facility is right for your pet.

12.  Ask for a tour.  The pet day care should be agreeable to giving you a tour of the facility so you can check everything out and actually watch the staff interacting with the pets.  I personally would try to stop in unannounced at least a couple of times to make sure things are run properly even when pet parents aren’t around.

13.  What are their hours?  Make sure the pet care facility has hours that suit your needs and schedule.  Specifically ask about drop-off and pick-up times.  Also ask if there are late pick-up fees in case you may have to be late from time to time.

14.  Do they have good reviews?  Check online to see if the facility has received good or bad reviews.  You can also ask other pet owners or your vet for recommendations on pet day care facilities with a good reputation.

How Much Does Pet Day Care Cost?

The cost of pet day care varies depending on where you live and what types of services they provide.  You should check several facilities in your area to compare prices and services, but here’s a basic breakdown of cost:

Average daily cost is usually $20 to $45 for a full day.

Half days are around $15-$25.

Some facilities charge weekly, and some offer discounts for frequent users.  A weekly price range can run from $150 to $250 per week.

Some facilities offer additional services like training or grooming, which you may pay extra for.

Some offer overnight boarding which usually costs between $40 and $75 per night.

Doggy Day Care

For specific information about dog day care centers, read this article by the American Kennel Club, How to Choose a Day Care for Your Dog.

If the reason you’re checking into dog day care is because your dog has separation anxiety issues, read my post, Treating Dog Separation Anxiety for help and information (includes video).

Cat Day Care

How to Find a Good Pet Sitter

If you’d prefer to have someone care for your pet in your home, here are two articles to help you find a good pet sitter (both include a video):

How to Find a Good Dog Sitter

How to Find a Good Cat Sitter

Keeping Pets Entertained While You’re at Work

If you’re unable to afford pet day care or a pet sitter, there are ways to keep your pets entertained while you’re away or at work.  Refer to this article, Keeping Pets Entertained While at Work (includes video)  for ideas!