Your dog needs a vacation - so do you

Did you know that nearly 85 million Americans have pets? According to the American Pets Products Association, not only do that many Americans have pets, but they also spend nearly $60 billion on their furry friends each year.

That number may seem staggering to some of you, but most Americans are more than willing to spend money on their pets because people are happier and healthier as a result of owning a dog or cat. However, 96% of Americans also want to take vacations but don’t know what to do with their pets while they’re away. One of the newest trends is to take your pets along and drop them off in doggy daycare.

While cat boarding or dog boarding are also popular options when you’re vacationing, doggy daycare and even cat daycare allow you to drop off your four-footed friends for a little fun and relaxation of their own while you hit the beach. A little hesitant to try this? Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t be.

You get to see your pet every day.

If you’re worried about leaving your pets while you’re away, doggy daycare gives you the option of leaving them for as little as a few hours or as long as a full day. That’s the nice thing about pet daycare rather than pet boarding—you get to pick your animal up each night instead of leaving them for a week or more while you’re gone. Many doggy daycare facilities even have live video that you can see on your mobile device to make sure your pets are safe and having a good time.

Your pet gets socialization time.

Much like you enjoy socializing with new people while on vacation, your pet will enjoy it, too. Doggy daycare gives your pooch the opportunity to play and interact with other animals in a safe environment. Because the play is supervised and sometimes divided into groups according to size or breed, you can be sure that your pet will have a good time and make some new friends.

Your pet gets exercise and rest.

The staff in a doggy daycare won’t just let your pets run wild—they will have activities to keep them busy and to help them relax. You can find just about anything in doggy daycare facilities nowadays—obstacle courses, animal television, pet grooming, massage, toys and treats, and sometimes even swimming pools. Many of these pet places are like mini resorts for animals.

Your pet won’t have separation anxiety.

When pets are left alone for too long, they tend to experience separation anxiety. A sudden change in their routine can lead to depression; peeing and pooping inside; chewing on things; or other destructive behavior. At doggy daycare, your pets will have interaction with humans and other animals that keep them from becoming lonely or bored.

You will have a better vacation.

Many people spend their vacations worrying about their pets that are left at home or in local pet boarding. When you bring your pets along on vacation, you can check on them whenever you want—they aren’t far away. Separation anxiety can affect you as well, so picking your pals up at the end of each day keep you both happy and enable you to enjoy your time off together.

If you want to see attractions, swim, hike, shop, or dine out while ensuring that your pets are safe and having fun, doggy daycare might just be the perfect solution for you while on vacation. In fact, many people take their animals to daycare at home as well because there are so many benefits. Just make sure to check out a daycare facility in advance to make sure it will be a good fit.