5 Essential Questions to Ask When Choosing the Perfect Daycare for Dogs and Cats

You want the finest things in life for your beloved pet.

So, you’ve searched for the “best animal daycare near me?”

Here are some considerations for choosing the right one.

Leaving behind your beloved cat or dog under someone else’s care can induce a lot of stress and anxiety. This is especially true when you aren’t confident about the facility's level of experience and care. You want to be sure your pet is well cared for and safe but also receives lots of love and attention in your absence. You feel this should be a vacation for them as well.

Whether you are dealing with a family emergency, going on vacation, or working long hours with an unpredictable schedule and want to ensure your pet gets enough exercise and attention, daycare can be a great solution. You are looking for a place where your pet will be well taken care of and socialized, get lots of exercise and attention, and enjoy fun playtime.

Give yourself peace of mind by asking the right questions when searching for the best daycare for dogs and cats.

1. What Are the Health and Safety Protocols for the Cat and Puppy Daycare Near Me?

Above all else, your furry companion’s health and safety are crucial when in someone else’s care. Be sure to inquire about the facility’s health and safety protocols to ensure your pet's well-being.

A safe facility should require all dogs and cats to be up-to-date on vaccinations and ensure they have a proper plan for administering any necessary medications that your pet may need. They should be well-informed about your pet’s specific needs and quirks, such as special dietary plan or any behavioral triggers your pet may have. Does your cat hate being pet on its back? Does your dog snap if you try to touch its paws? These are essential things to share with the staff to ensure your pet is comfortable and happy and doesn’t harm itself or others.

The facility should be well-equipped to handle emergencies, whether natural disasters or injuries to one of the animals in their care. Are their staff members trained in canine and feline first aid? The business should be fully bonded, insured, well-secured, and free of any hazards, such as broken toys or twisted metal on fences. It should be clean and organized with minimal odors and kept at a comfortable temperature for the animals.

Another indicator of a safe daycare for dogs is whether or not they require a temperament test before admitting a dog into their care. The facility will assess your dog’s personality and behavior to determine whether they fit well with the other dogs. They may start by playing with your dog one-on-one to see how they react to unknown humans. Then, they will slowly bring in other dogs to test the waters and see how well they play and interact. If there are no signs of aggression, they will allow your dog to enter the play area with all the other dogs.

2. How Well Does the Facility Handle Communications?

While you’re away from your pet, they will be at the forefront of your mind. Are they having fun? Is everything going well? Are they eating and sleeping well?

We can guarantee you will enjoy your vacation much more if you are sure your pet is in good hands at their daycare for dogs and cats. That means you will want to assess the Daycare’s communication style to ensure you choose a suitable facility.

Will you receive daily or weekly reports about your pet’s stay? Do they provide access to a webcam so that you may check in whenever you’d like? If there isn’t a webcam, will they update you with photos of your fur baby upon request?

This question is particularly crucial: How do they handle emergencies or changes in your pet’s behavior or well-being? Will they notify you promptly if your pet is injured or sick?

Clear communication can take a load off your mind, so you can enjoy your time away knowing they will notify you if anything is amiss.

3. What Type of Training Does the Staff at the Animal Daycare Receive?

At the bare minimum, a well-trained animal daycare staff should be equipped to handle the basic care and safety procedures required to ensure your pet’s well-being

However, we expect more than the bare minimum for our beloved furry companions. Ideally, the perfect daycare for dogs and cats will boast an incredible team trained in animal behavior and canine and feline body language. This way, the staff can detect warning signs of danger, stress, or illness in animals.

Is there enough staff to ensure the safety of all the animals in the building in an emergency? If a behavioral issue must be addressed, how do they handle corrections? Well-trained staff should use rewards for good behavior instead of punishments for bad behavior while still deterring unsafe situations.

The staff’s safety expertise is beyond essential to ensure your pet’s well-being, but it is just as important to observe how they treat the animals. Are they caring and compassionate? Do they gently treat the cats and dogs with lots of love and attention? You want your pet to feel like they are on vacation with someone who truly cares for them.

4. Will My Pet Have Fun at this Daycare for Dogs and Cats?

Now that you’ve considered all of the practical concerns about health, safety, and communications, it comes down to this: Will my pet have fun while I’m away?

An excellent daycare for dogs and cats should host a variety of daily activities that will appeal to pets of different personalities and energy levels to ensure their needs are met. There should be opportunities for safe socialization, and plans should be made for pets that need a break from the action.

Is there a comfortable rest area for your dog to take a nap? Are there lots of play areas broken down by the dog’s size to ensure safety and fun? Will your dog need to be put in a crate at any point during the day, and if so, for how long?

Cats and dogs of all ages benefit greatly from mental and physical stimulation through playtime and toys. Still, ensuring your chosen daycare facility knows how to handle different age groups, from kittens or puppies to seniors, is essential. Superactive kittens and puppies will likely enjoy more interactive toys and energetic playtime but will also need quiet cuddle time to help them build trust with the daycare staff. Senior cats and dogs will need lots of love and attention with slower, gentler introductions to assist them in getting comfortable with their unfamiliar surroundings. Overall, having fun play areas, such as scratching posts and relaxing areas for cozy snuggles, will benefit all cats and dogs.

Expert tip: Observe the cats and dogs currently at the daycare facility. Do they seem happy and relaxed? Are they having fun? How do the staff interact with them? These are all signs that your pet will enjoy its experience.

Ultimately, Is Daycare for Dogs and Cats the Best Option for My Pets?

You know your pet better than anyone, so trust your instincts. Animal daycare is an incredible choice for pet owners who need some extra help. Your pet will get lots of fun and playful exercise while socializing with other people and animals.

However, daycare for dogs and cats is not your only option. If you feel that your dog or cat may be overwhelmed and stressed at a daycare facility, they may prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home while you are away.

SereniPets offers owners peace of mind by ensuring their fur babies receive the highest level of personalized care with the familiarity of their normal surroundings. We believe your pets deserve the same kind of attention, care, and love even when their owners are away.

We understand that every pet is special and unique, so we tailor our home care to suit their individual needs. SereniPets focuses on fostering compassion while we strive to understand your pet’s routine, preferences, and quirks. We aim to provide the most nurturing environment within the comfort of your own home.

While many pets enjoy daycare and feel like it is a vacation, others thrive in their familiar surroundings, where they are able to maintain their regular routines. With our customizable packages, SereniPets ensures your pet’s safety and well-being while making sure they have fun and receive lots and lots of love in your absence.

Our premium overnight pet-sitting service is perfect for pet owners who want in-home care for their beloved fur babies. For those who need shorter-term care, we have our daycare visits, which can be tailored to suit your needs. We can pop in for 20 minutes to feed your dogs and cats or stay to play for several hours, depending on what your pet requires. We will brighten your pet’s day with personalized attention, exercise, and fun enrichment activities.

Grant yourself peace and serenity while you’re away by booking a SereniPets stay.