In-Home Pet Sitting vs. Boarding: What's Best for Your Pet?

You're heading out of town — maybe it's March Break, maybe it's a business trip, maybe it's the honeymoon you've been planning for months. Either way, one question keeps coming back:

"What do I do with my pet?"

For most Montreal pet parents, the choice comes down to two options: boarding your pet at a facility, or having someone care for them in the comfort of your own home. Both have their place — but they serve very different pets and very different needs.

Here's an honest look at how they compare, so you can make the right call for your companion.

What Is Pet Boarding?

Boarding means your pet stays at a facility — a kennel, a pet hotel, or sometimes a caregiver's private home. Your dog or cat is brought to an unfamiliar environment and cared for alongside other animals.

Boarding works well when:

- Your pet is social, confident, and enjoys being around other animals

- They have no medical conditions that require special attention

- They adapt easily to new environments, sounds, and routines

- You need a straightforward, no-frills solution

Where boarding can fall short:

- Pets with anxiety, fear, or reactive behaviour may struggle in group settings

- Cats, in particular, are territorial creatures — removing them from their environment can cause significant stress

- Your pet's routine (feeding times, medication schedules, favourite sleeping spots) gets disrupted

- You have limited control over how much individual attention they receive

- Exposure to other animals means higher risk of illness

For some pets, boarding is a perfectly fine experience. But for many — especially senior pets, cats, pets on medication, or animals with separation anxiety — it can do more harm than good.

"What Is In-Home Pet Sitting?"

In-home pet sitting means a professional caregiver comes to your home to look after your pet in their own environment. Everything stays the same — the smells, the furniture, the routine — except you're not there.

In-home care works well when:

- Your pet is most comfortable in familiar surroundings

- They have medical needs, dietary requirements, or a specific daily routine

- You have a cat (most feline behaviour experts agree that cats should stay home whenever possible)

- Your pet doesn't do well in group settings or around unfamiliar animals

- You want a dedicated person who knows your pet, not a rotating team

What to keep in mind:

- In-home pet sitting is typically more expensive than boarding

- It requires a higher level of trust — someone is in your home

- Not all pet sitters offer overnight stays or extended visits

- Quality varies significantly — from a neighbour checking in once a day to a certified, insured professional providing structured care

The difference between basic pet sitting and a true concierge-level experience comes down to one thing: how much personalization and accountability is built into the service.

"What About Cats?"

This is where the choice becomes clear. Cats are creatures of routine and territory. Moving a cat to an unfamiliar boarding facility, with new smells, new sounds, other animals nearby, is one of the most stressful experiences they can go through.

Signs of stress in cats after boarding include:

- Hiding for days after returning home

- Loss of appetite or changes in litter box habits

- Over-grooming or excessive vocalization

- Behavioural regression (aggression, fearfulness)

The recommendation from most veterinarians and feline behaviour specialists is straightforward: keep your cat at home and have a qualified caregiver come to them.

In Montreal neighbourhoods like Westmount, Outremont, TMR, and Hampstead, in-home cat care is growing rapidly — because pet parents are learning that their cats simply do better when they stay put.

5 Questions to Help You Decide

Not sure which option is right for your pet? Ask yourself:

1. How does my pet react to new environments?

If your dog gets excited at daycare and loves other dogs, boarding might work. If they cower, pace, or refuse to eat in unfamiliar places, home is better.

2. Does my pet have medical or dietary needs?

Medication schedules, prescription diets, insulin injections, post-surgery recovery — all of these are easier to manage in your own home with a caregiver who knows the routine.

3. Am I comfortable with my pet being in a group setting?

Even the best boarding facilities have multiple animals in the same space. If your pet is reactive, elderly, or simply prefers calm environments, 1:1 in-home care removes that variable entirely.

4. How long will I be away?

For a single overnight, boarding might be fine. For a week or longer, the disruption to routine compounds — and in-home care becomes significantly less stressful for your pet.

5. What level of communication do I expect?

Some boarding facilities send a photo once a day. A dedicated in-home caregiver can provide real-time updates, follow your pet's exact schedule, and flag anything unusual immediately.

"What Does Concierge-Level Care Look Like?"

At Pawsome, we believe pet care should be private, personalized, and built on trust. That means:

- One pet (or household) at a time. Your concierge isn't splitting attention between six animals. They're focused entirely on yours.

- In your home, on your schedule. Same walks, same feeding times, same couch, same everything. Your pet doesn't know you're gone — they just know someone they trust is there.

- Medical-aware and documented. Our concierges are certified in pet first aid and CPR. If your pet is on medication, recovering from surgery, or managing a chronic condition, we follow the care plan precisely.

- A dedicated match, not a random assignment. We use a structured matching process to pair your pet with a concierge who fits their temperament, energy level, and needs. You meet them before we ever start.

- Real communication. Photos, videos, and updates — not because we have to, but because we know it matters.

This isn't pet sitting. It's a concierge experience designed to give you complete peace of mind while your pet stays exactly where they belong: home.

The Bottom Line

Boarding and in-home pet care both exist for a reason. If your dog is social, healthy, and adaptable, a reputable boarding facility can work just fine.

But if your pet has specific needs — medical, behavioural, or simply a preference for routine and calm — in-home care with a dedicated caregiver is almost always the better choice. And for cats, it's not even close.

The right question isn't "Where should I leave my pet?" It's "What does my pet need to feel safe while I'm away?"

If you're not sure, we're happy to help you figure it out, no commitment required.

Ready to explore private pet concierge care in Montreal?

Request a Private Consultation

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