The holiday season brings a flurry of travel, gatherings, and schedule changes—and for pet owners, it also comes with an important question: What will you do with your pets while you’re away? Whether you’re heading out of town for Thanksgiving weekend or planning a longer winter vacation, it’s essential to have a solid plan in place for your pets’ care.
Here’s how to get ahead of the holiday rush, what to do if your favorite sitter is already booked, and how to make sure your pet stays safe, happy, and stress-free while you’re away.
1. Book Your Pet Care Early
Just like plane tickets and hotel rooms, pet sitting services fill up quickly around the holidays—especially with trusted providers. If you know you’ll be traveling during Thanksgiving or December, the best time to book is now.
Why early booking matters:
- Many sitters have limited availability during peak holiday weeks
- Pets benefit from consistency and having a familiar sitter
- It gives you time for meet-and-greets and updated care instructions
- You’ll avoid the stress of last-minute scrambling
Even if your plans are still taking shape, reach out to your pet care provider to reserve your spot or get on a cancellation list.
2. If Your Regular Sitter Is Booked, Don’t Panic
It happens—sometimes the calendar fills up faster than expected. If your usual sitter is unavailable, don’t worry. There are still safe and reliable options to explore.
Alternative ideas:
- Ask your sitter for a referral to another trusted provider in their network
- Reach out to friends, neighbors, or family members who are staying local
- Consider split care—a family member for mornings and a backup sitter for evenings
- Use a professional sitter’s website to verify credentials, read reviews, and schedule a consultation
Whichever option you choose, be sure to clearly communicate your pet’s routines, needs, and any health issues to ensure continuity of care.
3. Prepare Your Pet for the Change
Even with the best sitter in place, it’s a big shift for your pet when you’re away—especially during a season already full of activity and change. Preparing them ahead of time can help ease the transition.
Tips for a smooth adjustment:
- Leave a detailed guide with feeding times, medications, walking preferences, and quirks
- Include vet contact info, an emergency contact, and where to find pet supplies in the house
- Have a favorite toy, blanket, or shirt that smells like you available for comfort
- Stick to your pet’s normal schedule as much as possible
Consistency is calming, and the more normal things feel, the less stress your pet will experience.
4. Avoid Boarding If Your Pet Doesn’t Love It
Some pets thrive in boarding kennels. Others? Not so much. If your pet has anxiety, is elderly, has medical needs, or just prefers staying at home, in-home care is often the better option.
Benefits of in-home care:
- Your pet stays in a familiar environment
- Reduced exposure to other animals, germs, or stress
- Customized attention and less disruption to routine
- Great for cats, senior dogs, or multi-pet households
If you’ve never used in-home care before, now is a great time to start exploring options—before the holiday travel season is in full swing.
Plan Ahead for a Peaceful Holiday
Traveling during the holidays can be stressful enough—don’t let last-minute pet care decisions add to it. With a little advanced planning, you can enjoy your trip knowing your pets are safe, secure, and well cared for while you’re away.
Even if Meemah & Bone isn’t available for your holiday dates, we’re always happy to help guide you in the right direction. Need advice or referrals? Just ask.