All animals have different personalities and unique characters. Some are more laid back than others which can affect how they adapt to change and separation from you.
The different environment and routine of a boarding facility can be stressful for your pet. Some of the symptoms of stress could also continue for a few weeks after your fur friend is back in your care and own home.
The common signs of stress could be increased panting; making them more thirsty. They could also have vomiting and diarrhoea which is commonly seen in boarding pets. Some of the causes of diarrhoea could be caused by a change in food or your pet’s reaction to being away from their home. Another sign of stress is poor appetite.
Stress can also cause a weakened immune system, especially in dogs, and may make them more susceptible to illnesses, such as canine cough, which is a fairly common respiratory ailment that may result from a boarding stay.
Stress can also manifest as aggression or excessive barking and whining.
You know your pet better than anyone else. So when you are going away and your pet needs to be cared for, consider their adaptability to change and think about engaging a house and pet sitter for the time you are away.
Your pet can stay in their own home environment with their own toys, food bowls, routine and the stress of you leaving will be reduced, if not eliminated.
Pet sitters are animal lovers and enjoy the company of your pet as much as your pet will enjoy theirs. Many are willing to visit or stay for a period before the house and pet sit starts, so they can become familiar to your pet and a trusting relationship can be established.
Many pet sitters have the flexibility to work from home and can be a regular companion to your pet throughout the day. Your pet’s routine walk at the end of the day or feeding time schedule can be kept and the amount of noise that your pet expects each day is the same when a house and pet sitter comes to stay.
Your pet’s home environment is their safe place and a pet sitter is there not to intrude, but to be a companion. The environment, smells and sounds are all familiar to your pet and regular personalised, one-on-one play time between your pet and pet sitter is something that just can’t occur in boarding facilities.
Pet sitters can also provide your pet with regular medication according to their usual routine and can serve as an emergency contact while you’re away.
Pet sitters also like to send owners updates about their pets and will know your pet intimately enough to share highlight moments of their days.
99% of Mindahome house and pet sits involve caring for pets and a recent survey of Mindahome pet sitters revealed that many talk, watch TV and sleep with the pets they care for and cater to the pet’s needs.
A majority of Mindahome house and pet sitters have cared for one to two animals, while 23% have cared for seven or more animals for one house and pet sitting position.
Another benefit of engaging a pet sitter, is that they can care for all sized pets. From rural properties where horses and sheep need to be tended to, or at a home with one or more dogs, cats, fish or other household pet, pet sitters can care for your animals in their own home environment without the fuss and stress of transporting them to a facility. Pet sitters are also best for aged pets and those not suited to travel.
For the health of your pet, engaging a pet sitter offers a real low stress alternative to boarding pets and can provide personalised care that will benefit your pet emotionally, mentally and physically.
Find out more about house and pet sitters for free.