In-Home Pet Sitting vs Boarding

Here are the key differences between in-home pet sitting and boarding kennels.

1. Pets are less stressed at home

Pets who stay in their own home while their humans are away tend to be less stressed than if they would be at a boarding facility. When using a boarding facility, pets are taken to an entirely new environment, without their people. Many pets will adjust, but some will stop eating, develop stomach issues, or come home confused and unsettled.
When in-home pet sitting, your pets stay in their own environment that they know and are comfortable with. The only new element is the pet sitter, and we introduce that sitter before your trip at a Meet & Greet.

2. In-home Pet Sitting Maintains Your Pet’s Routine

When you choose in-home pet sitting your pet sitter will work with you to keep your pets on a routine that is as close as possible to normal. We’ll work with you to create a schedule that follows your feeding, exercise, playtime, and walk schedule. With a boarding facility your pets will be on the facility’s schedule, which may be quite different than what your pet is used to.

Dogs in our care typically receive 2–4 visits per day, with 20 to 60 minute visits. Before any service is provided we’ll go over your pet’s needs so we can match their schedule as much as possible.

3. Illness and Parasite Exposure

Keeping your pet at home limits its contact to the animals already in your household. Whenever pets from a variety of households share a space, there’s an increased risk of illnesses, such as kennel cough, fleas, and intestinal parasites.

Reputable kennels adhere to strict cleaning routines and vaccine requirements, but even then, there’s a chance of a pet contracting an illness. This can be especially detrimental to pets that are young, seniors, or already have health issues.

4. One-on-One Attention

When one of our pet sitters come to your home, they will give your pet their undivided attention. Your pet is their sole concern and will attend to their physical needs such as food, water, potty break, litter scooping etc. Your pet will also have someone to play with and who will notice anything out of the ordinary. Staff at boarding kennels don’t always have the luxury of providing the same kind of undivided attention.

You also stay informed. Our sitters send updates during your trip, including photos, so you can see how your pets are doing.

5. Cost: How the Pricing Actually Compares

The cost difference depends on a number of factors, how many pets you have, whether you want extras like medication, playtime, or individual walks.
In-home pet sitting is priced per visit, and additional pets in the same home typically cost less than a second kennel run.
• Multi-pet households: In-home sitting is often competitive with or less expensive than boarding, because you are not paying a separate nightly rate for each animal.
• One dog needing several visits a day: In-home care may cost about the same as boarding or more, but your pets are able to stay where they’re most comfortable, not in a kennel.
• Pets who need company overnight: Overnight pet sitting is a premium service, and it replaces both the kennel and the worry.

6. What Pets Do Better at Home?

Some pets benefit from in-home care more than others. Here is how the choice usually breaks down:

• Cats: Almost always better at home. Cats are territorial, dislike travel, and often find kennel environments stressful.
• Senior pets: Home is easier for older pets because it doesn’t disrupt their well-known routine.
• Pets on medication or special diets: A sitter follows your exact instructions.
• Anxious or reactive dogs: Avoiding a building full of barking dogs is often the kindest choice. Multiple visits per day and/or longer visits can be scheduled for pets that need extra comfort.
• Multi-pet households: Pets stay together, which many find comforting.
• Birds, small animals, and reptiles: Many boarding kennels do not accept them, and moving them can be difficult.

7. Your Home: Someone Checks In While You Are Away

When a pet sitter comes to your home, they can look things over and let you know if something doesn’t look right. This might be a leak, the AC not working, or any number of things. They can also bring in any mail or packages.

8. Convenience: No Drop-Offs, No Pick-Up Deadlines

In-home care removes the drop-off and pick-up trips that boarding requires. You do not have to schedule time to take your pet to the kennel or arrange a pickup time. If your return is delayed, your sitter can continue visits instead of your pet spending an extra night in a kennel.

So, what’s right for your pet?

For most pets, in-home pet sitting is less stressful, healthier, and tailored to your pet. Your pet stays home with its routine and own space, while a pet sitter visits daily to provide care and send you updates. Boarding still has a place for pets with special needs, but for the majority of dogs and cats in Seminole County, home is where they do best.

Frequently Asked Questions