Your Pets Daily - Doggy daycare

The 10 benefits of doggy daycare for you and your pooch

Katie Court — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Hating the idea of their pet being alone for the day, a lot of people who are required to be at their places of work are considering doggy daycare: essentially, a playgroup for your pet.

As part of its new Doggy Daycare Report, which analyses how much it costs dogs to enrol their pet pooches in daycare around the world, the personal finance experts at money.co.uk have liaised with the experts and compiled a list of the benefits that the financial commitment can provide to both you, and your beloved pet:

Your dog can socialise with other animals

Hanging out with friends isn't just for humans; all animals need and crave social interaction, as it makes them less likely to bark or become unsettled on walks. This is particularly important if a dog has been poorly treated in the past, as it can take time for them to regain the trust of others.

The behaviour of your dog can improve

If your dog has a taste for chewing furniture or chasing cats, it could be beneficial for them to spend some time away from the family home to release their pent-up energy. Lisa Norton, Chief Marketing Officer at SparkPaws, says "you don't only relieve your dog of this bad feeling, but you also avoid having to deal with broken things in your home."

Your pooch's health can be benefitted

If a dog is cooped up inside all day, it is guaranteed that their physical and mental health will eventually suffer. Being around other dogs , as they run around and play, is a great way to get your pooch's heart pumping, along with keeping their bones and muscles strong. Leonardo Gomez, founder of Try Runball, assures that "an active lifestyle is an important requirement for dogs to survive."

You don't have to worry about your dog being home alone

Dr Corinne Wigfall, a registered veterinarian, highlights that "dogs get bored easily stuck at home for long hours, so daycare is an excellent alternative if you know you have a long day at the office planned." Nobody likes to think of a family member getting bored or lonely, which is why an exciting trip to the doggy daycare centre could help to put your mind at ease until you collect them at the end of the working day.

You know your dog is totally safe

Security measures at doggy daycare centres, like those made for children, always have to be dependable. It is unlikely, but the thought of your dog escaping from your house and onto a busy road while you are at work can be a major distraction. Knowing your dog is safe and secure is a huge weight lifted from the shoulders of many pet owners, allowing them to be more productive with their day.

Your dog will get used to a routine

At present, your dog may well be used to you being at home, with walks and meals at uncertain times that depend on your work schedule, so it is essential that things get back to a normal routine for them. A doggy daycare centre would have fixed meal and walk times, along with structured play and possibly even training, offering your dog security and reassurance.

Separation anxiety can be lessened

The end of lockdown will have been a shock to the system to many dogs, as their owners are no longer spending 24 hours a day with them. Allowing them to enter a daycare system would slowly help to ease their feelings of stress and tension, as they will have their social and emotional needs catered for while you are gone.

Regulated food and water

While you are out of the house, your dog is free to eat as much or as little as they like. Most people fill their dog's food bowl to the brim to keep them happy all day, instead of rationing their treats and meals as normal. If your dog is at daycare, their food intake will gradually become more regulated, allowing them to lose weight if they need to and develop a healthy relationship with food once again.

Your dog could be regularly groomed

Long-haired dogs need very regular washes and trims, which can be a nightmare if it is not something the owner is used to. Allowing the professionals at daycare to take over can be a good idea, avoiding the risk of your dog's fur becoming matted and tangled.

Elderly dogs can receive extra TLC

If you have a senior dog, things like medicine or special diets may be part of your daily routine - so how can this continue when you go back to work? As some doggy daycare centres are equipped with pet nutritionists, you can be safe in the knowledge that your dog is receiving the special care they need, without you having to pay extra for at-home treatments.

12 Questions to Ask Before Committing to a Doggy Daycare

Katie Court — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Work or life commitments mean that you are not always available to look after your dog, and parting ways with your pooch can be stressful for everyone involved. That is why if you are going to use one, finding the right doggy daycare for your four-legged friend is crucial.

As part of their Doggy Daycare Report, the personal finance experts at money.co.uk have compiled a list of ten important questions to ask potential daycares when it comes to finding the right establishment to enrol your pooch in.

What qualifications or training do the staff have?

Having well-trained staff is one of the most important elements to consider when choosing a doggy daycare, so it is essential to ask about this upfront.

Qualifications or training regarding animal aid, behaviour or care is key, as well-trained staff will be able to observe dogs body language and interact with them on a better level.

Is there a temperament test/trial before being accepted?

All reputable doggy daycares will require your dog to have an assessment of their behaviour and personality first, to see if they are suited to the daycare facility.

This is to ensure that your dog is comfortable and right for the environment, and makes sure it will be compatible with the other dogs attending the daycare.

What are the health and safety plans?

The doggy daycare should have a number of staff members trained in canine first aid in order to be prepared for the event of an accident or injury.
You should also inquire about their communication plans should a medical emergency arise whilst your dog is in their care? Will they take the dog to an emergency vet for medical care? Will you be immediately contacted?

What is the ratio of daycare staff to dogs?

It is better to choose a daycare that has a lower ratio of dogs to daycare staff, as this means your dog will be given more attention and supervision.

It is also important to ask how many dogs each staff member will be walking and if it is a manageable amount you feel comfortable with.

What does a typical daily schedule look like?

Finding out what a usual day at the facility would look like for your dog is a great way to decide if it would be suited to your four-legged friend. For example, if your dog requires an abundance of attention and mental stimulation, you will want to check if there are lots of activities to participate in, to keep them entertained throughout the day.

What do the facilities include?

It is important to ask what the facilities of the daycare are like and also if it is possible to have a tour of the premises before committing to sending your dog to their daycare. Is the daycare spacious? Does it have good ventilation? Are there specific play areas? Do outdoor areas have secure fencing or gating?

What are vaccination requirements for dogs that attend?

Always make sure to ask about the daycare's policy on vaccination requirements for dogs attending the service.

A responsible facility will require all dogs to have been vaccinated against rabies and DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus). This is extremely important as your dog will be in close proximity to a number of other dogs at daycare, where nasty diseases could easily spread.

What are the rules regarding food?

If your furry friend is at daycare for the full day, it will be provided with lunch, as long as you bring the food to doggy daycare. If your dog is in a routine of eating at set times, it is a good idea to ask if the daycare has regular feeding times in place, or if they can be tailored to your dog's routine.

Will dogs be separated by group?

All daycares group dogs together differently, some allow all dogs to be integrated together, whilst others separate the dogs into groups based on elements like their breed, size, energy levels and playing style. If you have a small dog and are concerned about it being left with much larger dogs, it is better to find a daycare that separates the dogs into groups.

How much exercise will your dog get at daycare?

If you have a dog that requires a lot of exercise, it is important to ask about the daycare's policy on doggy fitness. How long will your dog be walked for? Will it be walked in a space/area where it can be let off of its lead to run freely? Does the daycare have a large outdoor area your dog can roam around?

What is the daycare's approach to rewards and discipline?

Whether your four-legged friend is extremely well behaved or can be a little troublesome at times, it is good to find out the daycare's stance on discipline.

Will your dog be rewarded for good behaviour? Will this be in the form of praise, extra playtime, toys or treats? How do daycare staff handle misbehaving dogs? Do they separate them from the group for a time out?

What are the daycare costs?

One of the most vital questions to ask and consider are the costs of doggy daycare, not only to see whether you can afford it, but the cost is also a good indicator of how credible the daycare is. For example, sending your dog to daycare full time in the UK costs approximately £25.92 a day, equalling £129.60 a week, a total of £518.40 a month and £6,221 a year. So if you come across a daycare that is really cheap and seems too good to be true - it is likely that it is.

Your Pets Daily - Doggy daycare

The 10 benefits of doggy daycare for you and your pooch

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12 Questions to Ask Before Committing to a Doggy Daycare

What qualifications or training do the staff have?

Is there a temperament test/trial before being accepted?

What are the health and safety plans?

What is the ratio of daycare staff to dogs?

What does a typical daily schedule look like?

What do the facilities include?

What are vaccination requirements for dogs that attend?

What are the rules regarding food?

Will dogs be separated by group?

How much exercise will your dog get at daycare?

What is the daycare's approach to rewards and discipline?

What are the daycare costs?

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