In the United States right now, dog guardians are considering keeping their dogs away from other dogs, due to an as-yet-undetermined respiratory virus or novel bacterial infection that’s affecting dogs across our country.
I asked dog professionals: “What advice would you give to family and friends who choose not to board their dogs over the winter holidays this year? If you are in that situation yourself, what do you plan to do?”
Here are some of their answers, their experiences, and their opinions.
Colette Kase (Mexico) I have never boarded my own dogs. I always have a house sitter come into my home. I spend a lot of time working on my dogs to get them into routines that suit my home and lifestyle. I don’t want that investment undermined or altered. I pay people to take care of my dogs in my home, and I provide them with an “instruction manual.” This has detailed guidance relating to my dogs’ daily schedule, including exercise, play, feeding, grooming, and any other care requirements. I also provide them with a detailed map for walks so they know exactly the routes that I want them to take and what they should be doing on the walk. I take very good care of my dog sitters so that they want to work with my dogs again. Wine and chocolate, as well as good tips, go a long way.
Neil Rubenstein (Florida) As a trainer, I always recommend pet parents seek out a qualified pet care specialist to stay in the dog’s home, rather than board. This keeps their dog(s) in a familiar environment and makes it easier to maintain a dog’s regular schedule and routine. The dog is going to be anxious with the absence of their human; dogs are contextual, so by keeping the dog at home in familiar surroundings, it will be easier for the dog to manage.
Photo by Stine Theede
Marilyn Marks (Connecticut) Good question. I was heading out on vacation when this was really hitting the news at Thanksgiving. The first thing I realized was that canceling plans was the only solution because pet sitters were likely booked for the holiday way in advance. I chose to board my dog and not to cancel, but I tend to be less conservative than others because I feel well informed. Since then I have learned that it’s mostly media hype, that the number of deaths is equal to the number seen every year from regular kennel cough. But if one wants to keep their dog away from other dogs because of this, you really have to go no-contact, as there is evidence of the possibility of infection via hands and clothes. In that case, a dog sitter going home to home is a potential vector.
Emily Magnuson (Arizona) This exactly. Make sure your dog is well vaccinated (Bordetella and flu) to help with secondary infection. Use a boarding facility that allows you access to the boarding area so you can see their cleaning procedures, and preferably one that has solid run walls so the dogs can’t have face-to-face contact.
Amy Suggars (Ohio) A professional pet sitter takes precautions to ensure they do not transmit diseases from home to home. They may wear masks, wear shoe coverings inside the home, change clothes between visits to different homes, wash hands frequently, etc.
I recommend a professional pet sitter—one who is insured, bonded, and trained in pet first aid. A professional pet sitter will meet with you and your dog before the time that service is needed. A professional pet sitter will care for your dog in your home. Therefore your dog will not be exposed to other dogs and the illnesses they may carry. In addition, your dog will be less stressed staying in his home environment while you are away than he will be in a kennel.
Dee Hart (Maryland) My first thought would be: is there a way to include the dog on your holiday adventure? If not, I would go with a professional pet sitter. I love Amy Suggar’s definition of what one is!!!
Cheri Spaulding (Oregon) I have always suggested that people find an insured and bonded pet sitter who stays at their house. The pet gets to stay home and the house has some security. Before the interview, ask for a liability insurance certificate and develop questions that will tell you if the potential pet sitter is knowledgeable in care, nutrition, and basic health concerns. Also, give the hired pet sitter utility shutoff/emergency info.
Kathleen Engel (Iowa) I have horses and chickens and dogs … so what I did was hire a young Agility handler I trusted and her mom spent the night with her. I gave her $100.00 a day. And if I was ever late back or something, I gave her $25.00 to pop in. Ranch chores go quick and I trusted them. My free-range chickens were roosting and checked on, etc. I trusted them. Other than that, I only use family.
Sandee Strobel Szabo (Virginia) Professional pet sitter. I recommend using a local company. If they do not come out to meet your dog before your scheduled leaving, do not use them. If they do not interact with your dog during the meeting, do not use them. If they do not have a lot of forms asking for your veterinary info, an authorization to seek vet care, a form to fill out with emergency names, a form that asks you about your dog’s routine, etc.—do not use them. The other option is using family or friends that the dog knows and who are responsible. We are lucky that we have great neighbors who also have a dog and we swap looking after each other’s pets. Maybe from what I wrote, you might have figured out that I used to be a Professional Dog Walker and Pet Sitter whose company had all of these forms, but even before I worked for them, I had my own forms. I also let my veterinarian know that I’m going to be out of town and someone will be watching my dogs, so they know that if there is any problem, they can call me. Yes, I left or filled out the forms, but I follow up with my vet anyway.
Trish Ryan (South Carolina) Always have a plan B. In most cases, we know in advance what holidays/times of the year we plan on traveling. Luckily, I have two if not three trusted in-home pro sitters whom I book in advance. Have there been last-minute plans? Definitely. If the pros are booked, I ask a friend I trust to sit in my home or theirs.
Sheri McEachran (Washington) My bigger concern is the change in routine for my dog. I have a very active two-year-old dog who always loved his two-to-three times weekly visits to a community dog park, running and playing with other dogs. Since we stopped going, he has acted lethargic and depressed even though I take him for walks and play with him. It’s just not the same. If this is media hype, I wish they would let us know when it is reasonably safe to allow our dogs to socialize with dogs again. I always have a house sitter when we travel and, if she is not available, I change or cancel my trip.
Tim Beau (Oregon) We try to take our dogs with us, but that’s not always possible. In the past, we have had a housesitter come. He was someone we know personally who housesits quite a bit. We had a friend stop by every day to check on the dogs. Another housesitter has moved into our basement room and is home every day. The dogs know him well and love to be around him.
Lonnie E Pearson (North Carolina) We have a pet sitter that comes to our house four times a day. When the dogs are there, she walks them on two long walks and two short walks a day. Otherwise she takes care of the cats. She feeds the birds for me and waters my plants. We have a 17-year-old cat that needs fluids, and she takes her to the vet for it two or three times a week. If we book her early enough, she can stay at the house. But we haven’t booked her early enough yet.
Misty Mills (Texas) Several solutions allow you to travel without having to board your dog at a facility.
1. Establish a pet-sitting trade arrangement with trusted friends and neighbors who are also committed to using positive, humane methods. This is an excellent solution, with the added benefit that your dog’s circle of trusted humans is grown and maintained—a fantastic opportunity to sustain good socialization.
2. Pet sitters who keep dogs in their own homes can be invaluable. I always recommend working with two and alternating which one you use for each trip. In an emergency, like a family funeral, if one is booked up, you can check with the other. Make sure these individuals have pet first aid and CPR training as well as business insurance.
3. Housesitters provide the benefit of your dog’s being able to maintain their schedule as close to normal as possible. In addition, your home is less likely to be the target of burglars while you are away, as the housesitter’s car will come and go, lights will be turned on and off, etc. These individuals should also have first aid and CPR training and insurance. Be sure to communicate, in writing, your expectations for how many hours they will be in your home or away each day, if there is a security system or cameras they need to be aware of, if they are permitted visitors or use of amenities like a pool at your home or community facilities like a gym while staying at your home. Clarify if they will provide their own food or if they can eat food you have available.
In all of the above scenarios, feel free to establish expectations around updates about your pets. Do you want to receive pictures via text or emails or phone call updates, and if so, how frequently? It is also a good idea to provide the caretaker with your veterinarian’s information as well as the closest ER vet clinic. You can put a credit card on file at most vet offices in the event your pet needs medical care while you are away.
4. Finally, many families are choosing to take their pets with them on vacation, either in RVs or to pet-friendly destinations. Make sure your dog has all the necessary vaccines to be safe. You may live in an area where a particular disease is rare, but if you’re traveling to a location where that same illness is more prevalent, discuss your travel plans with your vet to ensure that your dog stays healthy while on the road.
This statement from the American Veterinary Medical Association was updated on December 7, 2023:
“As of early December, cases of canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) have been seen by veterinarians in multiple states. The exact number remains unknown as requirements for veterinarians to report CIRDC to their state animal health officials are highly variable. Further hampering reporting is that several bacteria and viruses can contribute to CIRDC, and that, by the time a dog does get tested, if the causative agent is a virus, it may have already passed the point of being detectable.
“So, while nationwide numbers are not known, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Oregon officials are working with state and federal veterinary diagnostic laboratories to determine the underlying cause or causes.”
This article from NPR’s Morning Edition aired on December 1, 2023:
Veterinarians say fears about ‘mystery’ dog illness may be overblown. Here’s why
…
Take precautions but don’t succumb to fear
For now though, veterinarians tell NPR it’s wise for dog owners to take common-sense measures, like avoiding contact with sick dogs and making sure your dog is up to date on its vaccine.
Ultimately, [Dr. Scott] Weese says it will depend on your situation.
“If there are a lot of sick dogs in your area, then it is reasonable to be more restrictive. If you’ve got a dog that’s at high risk for disease, be more restrictive,” he says.
Some people may want to steer clear of “high traffic” public places like dog parks and if possible, boarding facilities, groomers and other crowded settings, says Dr. Ashley Nichols, president of the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association.
“Those are the activities that if you’re nervous about exposure, I would avoid because that’s where dogs with many backgrounds, many immunization levels and things like that mix,” she says.
Nichols worries about the exponential rise in fear among some pet owners. She and her colleagues have noticed it’s led some to skip routine health care, worried their dog might catch something at the clinic.
“I understand people’s concerns. I think avoiding the vet clinic is not the way to go,” she says.
And if your pet does get sick, get them seen immediately.
