If you are planning on going on a trip, you might not be able to bring your pets with you. In this case, you will need to find somewhere to bring them so they remain happy and safe. One of your options is to bring them to a traditional boarding facility. Here are some pros and cons of choosing this option.

Pro: Your pet will be safe and protected

A great benefit to bringing your pet to a boarding facility is that it will remain safe and protected. Even when they are outside or in a play area, the pet will still be fenced in and can't get out. The pet will spend some of the time in a kennel, where it has its own bed, toys, food, and water. Some dogs are kept in confined areas if they don't get along with other dogs, so you don't need to worry about that either.

Con: Some pets don't do well in kennel environments

Even if your pet spends a good amount of the time inside your house or in their own crate, that doesn't mean it will thrive in a kennel environment. Many pets have difficulty when in boarding facilities, and you might not realize it until the day you arrive. Bring your pet with you when touring the facility to see if it seems uncomfortable or not.

Pro: There are other pets to play with

If you have a dog or cat that enjoys being social and playing with other pets, you will love a boarding facility. If you were to choose to have someone in your home watching your pets, they might get lonely or bored without you there with them. While they will have proper supervision and someone to feed them, the pets don't get the opportunity to socialize. In boarding facilities, they often provide rooms where dogs or cats can play and run around together.

Con: Dogs don't always get unlimited exercise

While the facility should let the dog out to go potty and play with other dogs, it might have a limited amount of exercise time. If your dog is used to being outside the majority of the day, this might not be the best option for you. However, if you have an indoor dog that only goes out to go potty, this should be a comfortable boarding option for them.

Pro: Food and medications are monitored

If your pet is currently taking medications on a daily basis, let the boarding facility know beforehand. They will be able to administer the medications, but need specific instructions. You need to list the medications they are taking, how often, how they are administered, and any other details they need to know. If you use certain techniques for giving the medications, make sure they know that as well. Contact a company like Ark Veterinary Hospital for more information.