Hey everyone! I recently adopted a super cute Cavalier and I’m going on vacation in a few weeks for the holidays to visit family. I’m a college student out of state, and my family can’t be around pets, so I’m feeling a bit stuck on what to do with my dog while I’m gone. I don’t want to burden my roommate since she works long shifts, and I need advice on where I can leave him for about 3 days to make sure he’s well taken care of. Any tips or recommendations would be super helpful!
You could consider using a dog sitter or boarding facility. I used Rover a lot when I traveled for work, but now I prefer a doggy daycare/boarding facility since we have more dogs. Talk to your roommate and see if she’d be okay with a sitter coming to your place, but if not, a boarding facility is another great option.
@Bennet
Thank you so much! I’ll talk to my roommate to see what she’s comfortable with, but I’ll definitely look into boarding facilities too.
Casey said:
@Bennet
Thank you so much! I’ll talk to my roommate to see what she’s comfortable with, but I’ll definitely look into boarding facilities too.
Some dog sitters are willing to watch your dog at their own home, so that’s another option if your roommate prefers. Good luck!
@Bennet
Oh, that’s great to know! Thanks again for the recommendation 
Casey said:
@Bennet
Thank you so much! I’ll talk to my roommate to see what she’s comfortable with, but I’ll definitely look into boarding facilities too.
You could also check if any vet offices offer boarding. They might be a safer option since they have medical professionals on-site.
I’ve had good experiences with Rover too. We’d do a meet and greet, talk about feeding schedules and other details, and I always felt comfortable leaving my pup with the sitters. Personally, I’m not a fan of boarding facilities because of germs and the unknown dogs. I prefer sitters who can focus just on my dog.
@Cam
Just be careful with Rover lately. I’ve heard some dogs have gone missing. Look into local boarding places too—there are some great options nowadays that offer more personal care, like ‘Caroline’s Pampered Pet Motel’ near me. It’s worth checking around your area.
Rover worked well for me too! I’d recommend scheduling a trial overnight before your trip if you can. It’s a great way to see how your dog adjusts.
Why adopt a pet and plan a vacation right away, especially if your family can’t have pets around? Make sure your dog will be okay with your roommate or a sitter while you’re gone.
Wilkie said:
Why adopt a pet and plan a vacation right away, especially if your family can’t have pets around? Make sure your dog will be okay with your roommate or a sitter while you’re gone.
The vacation was planned way before I adopted him. I just want to make sure I plan ahead and do what’s best for him. It’s only for 3 days, but I want to be prepared. Thanks for the input!
@Casey
Got it. In that case, a pet sitter coming over a few times a day might be your best option. Hope everything works out!
Did you know about the vacation when you adopted the pup?
You should reconsider your vacation plans—it’s too soon to leave your dog behind. What were you thinking?
Bret said:
You should reconsider your vacation plans—it’s too soon to leave your dog behind. What were you thinking?
Whoa, it’s only for 3 days, not several weeks! I adopted him in March, and this vacation is just for Thanksgiving. Chill!
@Casey
Sorry, I misread that. If it’s just a few days and your roommate’s on board, you’ll be fine. You might want to hire a pro, though.
@Casey
I think they misunderstood “in a few weeks” as “for a few weeks.” For our cats, we usually leave them with automatic feeders and a neighbor checks in, but with our new kitten, we didn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone. We ended up boarding her, and it was totally worth the peace of mind. You might want to consider boarding your dog if you can afford it. They’ll usually require up-to-date shots, so you might want to check that out soon. Your vet might have recommendations for boarding facilities too.