The end of the year is a time to look forward to sunshine, travel, and much-needed rest. We’ve barely made it through winter, and December feels like a long way off; however, when it comes to securing your pet’s holiday accommodation, kennel, cattery, or a trusted sitter, it’s imperative to think ahead.
“Early planning for your pet’s holiday arrangements ensures peace of mind for you and reduces stress for your pet. December is the busiest time of year for kennels, catteries, and pet sitters, so bookings need to be made well in advance,” explains Marycke Ackhurst, pet behaviour expert from Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
Key considerations for pet holiday planning:
- Book early
Boarding kennels and catteries are already filling up, and pet sitters are getting booked. If you wait until the last minute, you may struggle to find safe, reliable care for your pet. As of January this year, there are approximately 175 registered pet boarding services across South Africa, with 86 located in Gauteng alone. - Do your research
Visit kennels or catteries in person where possible. Look out for clean facilities, adequate space, and staff who interact warmly with the pets. For sitters, arrange a meet-and-greet beforehand to ensure your pet feels comfortable. Many pet sitters require pet parents to fill out a survey regarding your pet’s food, any medication they may be on, medical history, their vet, pet peeves, etc. - Prepare your pet for the change
Just like us, pets can feel unsettled in new environments. A trial day at a kennel or an introduction visit with the sitter can ease the transition. Sending familiar items such as their bed, blanket, or favourite toy/s can also help them feel secure. - Keep medical care up to date
Most facilities require proof of vaccinations, so make sure your pets are up to date well before the December rush. As Ackhurst notes, vaccines take two weeks to ‘activate’, so they will need to be done well in advance of the kennel or cattery drop off. If your pet is prone to stress, chat to your vet about calming aids or stress-reducing nutrition options, such as *Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Stress for dogs which helps promote a calming effect, supports healthy digestion, promotes activity of beneficial gut bacteria and calms the GI tract and Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Stress for cats formulated to reduce stress, a risk factory for common urinary signs. - Factor in festive stressors
The holidays can mean fireworks, parties, and visitors, all of which can heighten anxiety in pets. Even if they’re staying home, ensure they have a safe, quiet space to retreat to. And make sure your house sitter knows your fireworks protocols (like all pets inside, covered crate, calming meds, etc) - Plan for emergencies
Share your vet’s contact details with your sitter, kennel, or cattery, and provide clear instructions about diet, medication, and routines. This ensures consistency and swift action if anything unexpected arises. Plus, it’s important to inform your vet of your pet’s holiday plan in case the kennel or pet sitter needs to communicate with them.
“The earlier you prepare your pet’s holiday care, the smoother and less stressful the festive season will be, for both you and your pet,” Ackhurst concludes.
*If you’re anticipating a stressful event, such as fireworks or even holiday kennels, it’s recommended you transition your pet onto a stress-reducing food two to four weeks beforehand. However, many pet parents have reported positive results as early as a few days. If your pet is a nervous type, you can consider this food for long-term feeding.
Visit the Hill’s website for more information
