Back-to-school season is back in session. For many households, that means taking on jobs that require 3rd shift availability. Unfortunately, this can be a difficult adjustment for social, anxious, or special needs pets. Thankfully, overnight pet care can help.

Continue reading this article to decide if overnight pet care is the right choice for your pet.

What is Overnight Pet Care?

Overnight pet care pertains to providing care for your pet in the overnight hours. For example, your pet sitter may care for your four-legged companion between 10 PM and 8 AM.

In a nutshell, overnight pet care provides company, food, and medicine(if needed) from night until morning.

Overnight Pet Care Types

There are a few options when it comes to overnight pet care. Your pet’s age, needs, and condition (if any) will help determine what option is best.

Pet Boarding – Pet boarding offers overnight pet care in a safe environment. Oftentimes, your veterinary provider can provide overnight care. However, pets with anxiety, seniors, and vet-phobias might be traumatized.

Overnight Pet Sitting – For older dogs, special needs, or socially dependent animals, hiring someone to provide overnight pet sitting can be beneficial. Pet sitters will stay up with your four-legged family member and ensure their needs are met while you work.

Pet Hotels – Pet hotels offer a luxurious stay for pets. Furthermore, your pet can receive massages, treats, pawdicures, and additional services aimed at nurturing your pet. It should be noted that pet hotels are a great option for when you want to splurge-pet hotels can get expensive quickly.

In-Home Pet Sitting Services – If your pet has limited mobility, special needs, or struggles with separation anxiety, in-home pet sitting services may be a great choice. Instead of taking your pet to a pet sitter’s location, the pet sitter will come to you.

Choosing the Best Overnight Pet Care Option: Assess Your Pet’s Personality

Before selecting a pet service, it’s important to take your pet’s health and personality into consideration. For example, if your canine or feline is shy, they may not handle overnight pet care outside of the home.

Here are 5 considerations when selecting the right pet service:

1. Special Needs – Pets with epilepsy, incontinence, and other special needs may benefit from in-home pet care services versus sleepovers at unfamiliar homes or locations.
2. Social Needs – Pets who have anxiety, depression, or other social needs may respond better at pet care centers, veterinary clinics, or experienced pet sitters in behavioral training. In other cases, pets may do better with in-home pet care.
3. Finances – Depending on your budget, location, and needs, it may be costly to choose a kennel. However, if you have the paw room in your budget, reserving a refreshing stay at a pet hotel may be what the vet ordered.
4. Age – For older pets, a pet sitter or in-home services may be more effective. It can be disorienting, scary, and difficult for senior pets to get round-the-clock care at veterinary boarding facilities. On the flipside, puppies, energetic, and younger pets may do better in professional boarding care.
5. Aggression – Pets who are reactive or aggressive may not be a good candidate for overnight pet services. Additionally, it may be wise to hire someone who has education or knowledge of handling aggressive animals.

The Pros

There are a ton of benefits for hiring overnight pet services. Here are the 4 major ones:

• Assurance That Your Pet is Tended to – 59% of Pet owners swear by overnight pet services. Many pet parents admit to feeling less guilty and anxious about leaving their pets.
• Keep Up With Routines – Whether you’re starting a new routine or maintaining one, overnight pet services can help keep your pet’s routine going.
• Safety – Keep your pet away from electrical hazards, slips, and natural disasters by hiring overnight pet help.
• Enhance Socialization Skills – For pets that are learning how to socialize, need additional socialization daily, or are learning new socialization manners, overnight pet care can help.

The Cons

While there may be some drawbacks, it is important to note that only a small number of pet parents have had a negative experience.

Here are important things to consider before hiring overnight pet help

• Adjustment Phase – Depending on your pet and the type of late-night pet care, it may take a while for your pet to adjust.
• Risk of Illness – Your pet may be exposed to different pet food, other animals, and sounds they aren’t used to. Additionally, there may be a risk of contracting kennel cough from other sick canines.
• Overwhelm – It’s important to remember that your pet may act out of character due to stress. New people, sights, and smells can be terrifying. It’s essential to watch your pet for any behavioral changes during and after an overnight stay. Furthermore, your pet may be at risk of a pet altercation depending on the temperament of the other pets.
• Might Be Costly – Traveling to the location, fees, and initial stay can be expensive. Depending on the location and type, overnight pet care can range between $30 – $75 per night.
• Limited Control – If your pet has a specific way of training or routine, it may be hard to know if your pet attendant is following your requests.

Avoiding Catastrophe: What to Look For When Hiring for Care

Before you hire anyone to look after your fur children, it’s important to ask these questions:

• Are You Licensed and Insured?
• Are You Willing to Meet?
• What is a Day in Their Care Like?
• How Do You Handle Emergencies?
• Are You Willing to Provide Updates?
• What is Your Policy on Pet Interaction?
• What Accommodations Are Offered(Food, Toys, etc.)?

It is important to note that you should do a drop-in visit to see the facility. This can also help you be aware of any red flags, such as dirty facilities, frightened animals, and inappropriate behavior.

Pet Care Red Flags

It is important to make you aware of several red flags in pet care.

• Lack of Social Presence – A pet care business with low-effort social media pages may indicate the provider is inexperienced or doesn’t care about their business’s reputation. Additionally, outdated websites, calendars, and technology can also be a sign of a poor-quality pet business.
• Refusal to Answer Questions – Pet business owners should be willing to answer your questions or concerns. If they are getting annoyed, snippy, or impatient, it could be a warning sign that something isn’t right.
• Refusal to Meet – If a pet care attendant refuses to meet in person or on video before you try their services, you should run.
• Gut Feeling – If something feels off to you about a pet care attendant, trust it. It is better to be safe than sorry.
• Too High or Too Low Prices – Services that are priced too high might indicate a pet business is only out for money. On the other hand, services that are priced too low may indicate desperation or a lack of experience.
• Constantly Changing Their Name – If a pet business is constantly changing its name, it could indicate that they are hiding something.
• History of Animal Abuse Charges – A history of abusing animals is a major red flag. If you come across someone who has a lengthy history, or any history at all, do NOT trust them with your pet. Additionally, the pet care provider should be avoided if they have a history of criminal activity. Finally, if you see any pet care attendant hurting, kicking, or being cruel to an animal, you should report them immediately.
• Dirty Appearance/Environment – It’s not uncommon for a dog daycare to be covered in fur, hair, etc. However, if the facility is covered with fecal and urine messes, it should be a red flag. Exposure to the urine and feces of other animals can increase the risk of contracting an illness.

Preparing Your Pet for Nightly Care

Keep in mind that your pet may be frightened at first. Here are some tips to help make the transition into nightly pet care smoother:

1. Pack Their Favorite Things – Packing your pet’s favorite blanket, toy, and a shirt with your scent on it, can make adjusting to a night-time pet stay less intimidating.
2. Ask Friends or Family – If your pet is comfortable around friends or family, see if someone is willing to stay with your pet.
3. Get in Extra Exercise – Getting in extra exercise can help you pet relax and feel at ease.
4. Stay Grounded – It can be emotional to leave your pet with someone overnight. However, the calmer you are, the better your pet will adjust.
5. Keep Goodbyes Quick – Spending too long saying goodbye can be tough on your pet. It can also support anxiety-ridden behavior. Therefore, it is best to stick to short and sweet goodbyes.

Is Overnight Pet Care Safe?

Good research, a pet professional with a good reputation, and reasonable costs can help make your pet’s overnight stay a safe and happy one. Always trust your gut, ask for references, and help your pet adjust when starting overnight pet care.