When planning a vacation away, pet owners need to figure out what to do with their dogs. They can either put them up in a kennel, or they can consider having a pet sitter visit their home frequently – possibly with an overnight stay.
Most pet owners prefer the idea that their dog stays at home. But dogs also cannot stay in a home entirely by themselves for very long. Pet sitters, like our team here at Furbabies Home Pet Care, can arrange to visit the home regularly – sometimes with an overnight stay – to help your pet get the support it needs while away.
Still, kennels also have their place. It depends on the dog, their needs, how long you’re away, and more.
What Kennels Involve
Dogs are creatures of habit and environment. The space they live in, the smells they’re used to, the rhythms of daily life — all of that creates a sense of safety and predictability. When that environment changes suddenly and completely, dogs can become more anxious and stressed, even with other people and dogs around.
A kennel puts a dog into an entirely unfamiliar setting. For some dogs — particularly those that are highly sociable and not prone to anxiety — this is manageable. They adapt, they enjoy the interaction with other dogs, and they come home relatively unaffected.
But that’s not most dogs. A kennel means exposure to all of the following at once, for the entire duration of the owner’s absence:
- Unfamiliar Smells — New animals, new cleaning products, new spaces, none of which carry any association with safety or home.
- Constant Noise — Barking, kennel doors, staff activity, and the sounds of dozens of other dogs create an environment that rarely quiets down.
- Unfamiliar People — Even in a well-staffed facility, the handlers are strangers, and the ratio of people to dogs is rarely one-on-one.
- Other Dogs — For dogs that are reactive, anxious, or simply not highly social, proximity to other animals is a stressor, not a comfort.
Dogs with anxiety, older dogs, puppies, and dogs that are strongly bonded to their families tend to struggle most. It’s not uncommon for them to experience changes in appetite, disrupted sleep, and behavioral shifts as a result. Some dogs also come home sick, because kennels — even clean, well-run ones — concentrate animals in ways that increase exposure to illness.
Why Staying Home Makes a Difference
When a dog stays home with a pet sitter, the core of their daily life remains intact. They sleep in their own bed. They eat from their own bowl. The scent of their home is there. Their toys are there. The routines that organize their day — meals, walks, time outside — continue in a familiar rhythm rather than getting replaced entirely by an unfamiliar one.
For dogs with anxiety, this matters a great deal. For senior dogs, whose health and temperament can be more sensitive to disruption, it matters even more. For puppies still learning that the world is a safe place, keeping them in a known environment removes a layer of stress that serves no one.
Even dogs without obvious anxiety tend to do better at home. There’s less to adjust to, less uncertainty, and more continuity across the days their owner is gone. If they also know their pet sitter from dog walks or past stays, the sitter’s familiarity adds another benefit.
What Dogs Need When You’re Away
The main concern behind the kennel question is usually: “will my dog get enough attention, enough exercise, and enough interaction from pet sitter visits?”
That’s a fair thing to worry about. A dog left alone all day with just a single check-in isn’t getting what they need, regardless of where they are.
FurBabies offers pet sitting visits up to four times a day, covering feeding, fresh water, time outside, and one-on-one attention — with a detailed update and photos sent after every visit. For dogs that need more consistent company, the Bed N Breakfast service has a sitter arrive in the evening and stay through the following morning, providing around-the-clock presence in your dog’s own home.
Dog walking keeps the exercise routine going throughout the stay, which matters more than many owners realize. A dog that isn’t getting regular walks can become restless and anxious in ways that compound the stress of the owner’s absence. Keeping walks on schedule — on familiar streets, with a trusted sitter — is part of keeping the overall routine intact.
For dogs with specific needs, there are additional options worth knowing about. FurBabies offers puppy care for younger dogs that need more frequent visits and attentive handling, and senior and special care for older dogs or those managing health conditions that require closer attention. Enrichment visits are also available for dogs that benefit from mental stimulation alongside physical care.
All of these are enough to help your dog feel supported and safe at home.
There Are Exceptions
A kennel isn’t the wrong answer for every dog. Dogs that thrive in social environments, love meeting other animals, and show no anxiety in new places may do just fine — and some owners feel more comfortable knowing their dog is in a staffed facility around the clock.
For especially long vacations, kettles can become more comfortable, as they get used to the sounds and routines of the vacation – provided your dog is also playful with strange dogs and people.
But while kettles can still be a good option, they shouldn’t be the default one. Many people choose kettles because they’re familiar, not because it’s the right fit for their animals.
For most dogs — especially anxious dogs, older dogs, puppies, and dogs that are closely bonded to their home — staying in a familiar environment with consistent, attentive care is the better experience.
Your Dog Doesn’t Have to Dread Your Absence
FurBabies Home Pet Care has provided in-home pet sitting in Lake Mary, Sanford, and Longwood since 2015. If you have a trip coming up and want your dog genuinely comfortable while you’re gone, reach out to schedule a meet-and-greet. Call 407-489-9418 or contact us here.
