The Ultimate Guide To Pet Care While You’re Traveling
Living abroad as an expat is an incredible adventure, but when it’s time to travel for vacation, home leave, or business, finding reliable pet care becomes a priority. As an expat pet parent, you need trustworthy options to ensure your furry friends are well taken care of while you’re away. Let’s explore some of the best pet care solutions tailored to the unique needs of expats on the move.
Hiring a Pet Sitter
Hiring a pet sitter may be the best option for those looking for personalized care for their pets while they are away. Professional pet sitters, such as those who are members of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, have been trained and certified in pet care. They offer a variety of services including feeding, walking, administering medications and providing companionship and love. They can come to your home daily or can stay there while you’re away so your furry friend will have one-on-one attention throughout the day.
Asking a Friend to Pet Sit
If you don’t want to go the professional pet sitter route, you can always ask a trusted friend or family member if they would be willing to cat sit for you. Be sure that your friend is comfortable around cats and knows how to handle them properly. You can also offer to provide a stipend to show your appreciation for the favor.
Use a Pet Boarding Facility
Pet boarding facilities provide safe and comfortable accommodations for animals while their families are away. You can find dedicated cat or dog facilities, or a facility that takes both cats and dogs. Many of these facilities offer additional services such as grooming, playtime, administering medications, special diets and more. It’s important to read reviews online and talk to other pet owners to find the best boarding facility.
Pet Sitters vs Boarding Facilities
Pet Sitters can be convenient and will allow your animals to stay in familiar surroundings. However, if no one is available or if your trip is longer than a few days, it may be more economical to board your furry friend at a facility that specializes in pet boarding. These facilities provide food, exercise, grooming services, and plenty of attention for cats that are staying long-term. Plus, most offer veterinary services as well as discounts for multiple pets from the same family.
How to find reliable pet care while you’re traveling
Choosing a reliable pet sitter to care for your animals while you’re traveling may seem daunting; however, there are a few resources you can consult to make things easier. A good option is to contact pet sitter associations Pet Sitters International. These types of organizations can provide a list of available pet sitters who have been vetted and whose credentials have been confirmed.
Another option is an online search for pet care companies which offer specialized services tailored around pet-sitting. When searching for a pet sitter, it is important to be aware of red flags like lack of experience or qualifications that could indicate incompetence or negligence with your cat’s care.
Lastly, don’t forget the power of using word-of-mouth recommendations from other trusted pet owners who may have used one before and could provide an honest review about the services provided.
Making Sure Your Pet Is Comfortable While You’re Away
No matter which option you choose for pet caring while you’re traveling, there are some important considerations to keep in mind before leaving them behind. Make sure all their vaccinations are up-to-date. Make sure they have plenty of food and water and that their litter box is clean—or ask the person watching them to clean it regularly if they will be staying at home.
If your animals will be staying home it’s important to prepare your home before leaving by making sure all windows and doors are secure and that there is no way for your pet to escape (or get stuck!).
Provide detailed instructions about how much food and water should be given each day as well as any other special needs. Make sure that any medications they need are easily accessible and that instructions on administering them are clearly written down in case the sitter or facility needs it. Finally, don’t forget to bring along any toys or other items they might need during their stay away from home!
Preparing for Emergency Pet Care while you’re Traveling
We would hope nothing goes wrong while you traveling, but it is essential that your pets are adequately cared for in the event of an emergency. One way to do this is by creating an emergency cat care plan for your cat sitter.
This plan should include instructions on what to do if something goes wrong with your cat while you are away. It should also include information about insurance for cats so that the sitter will be able to cover any medical expenses if necessary. Additionally, it should provide contact information for a veterinarian and emergency contacts in case of an emergency. By having an emergency plan in place, you can ensure that your feline friends will be taken care of even when you’re not around.
In addition, if you are using a pet sitter or friend to cat-sit, make sure they have a back-up plan to take care of your cats in the event they become ill or have an emergency of their own.
Conclusion – arranging suitable pet care while you’re traveling
With proper planning, it’s possible to ensure that both you and your fur-babies enjoy a stress-free vacation experience while apart from one another. Whether it’s asking a friend or family member for help or hiring a professional pet sitter or boarding facility – taking the time ahead to arrange pet care while you’re traveling will ensure that you have peace of mind while you’re away!
