Take care of those bunny rabbits!

The only pet sitting that is easier than taking care of rabbits is freshwater fish. If you know how to care for a cat, then you know 90% of what is needed for rabbits.

Here is a basic list of the care that I have provided my rabbit clients:

1. Freshwater
2. Dry pellet food
3. Fresh green vegetables
4. Changing hay (litter)
5. And maybe let them out to exercise and play

Every rabbit I have watched were kept in some kind of pen or crate. That is where you put the water and food bowls and where the litter box is. Most of my clients had me one visit per day, but one of my clients had me come in the morning and again at night.

As for the litter\hay, I usually only had to add more hay. If the pet visit was for 5 days or more, than you may have to dispose of all the litter and replace it with fresh hay.

That is the basic run down for cat pet sitting: water, dry and\or wet food, and litter cleaning. The only difference in caring for a rabbit is the type of litter and fresh veggies as opposed to wet cat food.

Special notes when pet sitting rabbits

Here are some things to consider when pet sitting rabbits:

• They are prey animals and are easy to frighten so be quiet
• Try not to smell like other pets like dogs and cats

You more than likely will not be asked to pick up the rabbit or play with them. Make sure to adhere to that. The only contact I had with the rabbits was to use my finger to gently pet their head.

Final Thoughts

If you know anyone who owns a rabbit then pay them a visit and see if they can give you some time with their bunny. It’s an easy pet sitting gig but any experience you can get will go a long way to landing new clients.

The post Rabbit Pet Sitting (Guide & Tips) appeared first on Fairmount Pet Service.

After a few days, I let the new cat out of my back room. That was a mistake, though not at first. On the third introduction, the male cat I was boarding viciously attacked my cat.

Even though I have experience with animals, I made a few big mistakes. I detail what I did wrong so that you can avoid my mistakes.

How to introduce a new cat to your cat

Dogs are easy to introduce to each other but cats are not. Do your research before attempting to introduce a new cat to your cat(s).

The quotes below are references to other articles on this subject. I reworded the tips and advice so that I did not have to provide a lot of sources.

Stop aggression between cats: Why do cats fight

Here is a summary of why the new cat I was boarding attacked my cat Luna:

“The change in routine or environment can stress a cat.” – & – “Be aware of warning signs.”

1. First off, the cat was stressed being in a new environment. It’s better to hire a pet sitter that comes to your place than to board your cat.

2. The cat was constantly moving its tail when I was in the back room with him. He also did not seem to like me petting him.

3. My cat was constantly hissing at the cat. She sensed something was wrong and I did not. The thing is though that she stopped hissing by the 3rd day. I supervised all 3 introductions, and the first two were event free.

“Most cat on cat aggression can be prevented by spaying \ neutering them while they are kittens.”

3.. I did not notice in the woman’s email that she mentioned her cat was a male who was not neutered. That was the first major mistake on my part.

“Know the new cat’s history.”

4. The owner did not know if her cat was ever around other cats. I should have never introduced them, at least without some precautions (see below).

My mistakes: Missing the fact that the cat was not neutered, and having no history about the cats’ interactions with other cats.

* Don’t introduce a new cat to your cat if you have a similar situation.

How to stop aggression

There are some safeguards you can take. I should have prepared for the situation to turn bad.

“Safely introduce the cats.”

1. You can use a cat carrier or a harness for the aggressive cat. The problem with my situation was that I thought it was my cat that would be the aggressor.

2. Use an electronic cat door that can only be opened by a collar on the “weaker” cat. I did not have this at my place, but it is a great idea.

“Controlling first impressions: letting the cats see each other and using pheromones.”

3. I kept the new cat in my back room that had to doors with glass panes for the cats to see each other. I should have trusted the instincts of my cat Luna

4. Using a pheromone diffuser to calm all the cats in the house by mimicking natural cat odor. I did not know about this product or else I would have used it.

Though my cat stopped hissing at the new cat, the new cat was still agitated. I missed the small warning signs and should have trusted my cat.

How to break up a catfight

“You can’t easily break up a catfight unless you wear protective body gear.”

1. Use loud sounds to scare the cats. Clap your hands, bang kitchen pots together, or try a whistle or air horn.

Some of that sounds ridiculous (air horn or pots) but the pictures of my injuries should make you embrace the ridiculous. I had a swelling on my arm the size of a small egg – within a minute of being either scratched or bitten. It happened so fast that I’m not sure if I was bitten.

“Try throwing a soft object like a pillow near the cats.”

2. That would not have worked for my situation. Both cats were under my couch and when Luna came out both cats moved too quickly.

“After a week, let the new cat roam your home.”

3. Oops! I only waited for 3 days. There is no way I will attempt another introduction. I feel like a prisoner in my own place.

During the 3 introductions, the new cat was moving through my place at a fast pace. I should have noticed that he was still anxious.

I got mauled by the new cat

This cat was going after my cat aggressively, not defensively. Maybe it was because she was hissing at him for the 3 days.

I followed the fight through my place trying to grab either cat, but I grabbed the wrong cat. He scratched and I think he also bit me. A lot of blood was coming out of the side of my forearm. Here are some photos.

I didn’t follow the rule “Don’t try and break up a catfight”. At least, don’t try it without full body armor. I’m lucky that the bite did not become infected.

In case your wondering how the situation turned out, here is what happened:

1. After I dropped the cat that bit me, I immediately grabbed my arm to stop the bleeding.
2. At the same time, I noticed my cat Luna went into the back room, so I shut her in there.
3. I wrapped a towel around my forearm and grabbed a cat carrier.
4. Luna was not very cooperative with getting in the carrier (I wonder why).
5. I shut her in a bathroom, then wooed the angry cat into the backroom and locked him in there.
6. Then I let Luna out and checked her for wounds and she was fine. My wounds though were prety bad.

I had a lump on my forearm the size of an egg which was probably from the blood that swelled up beneath my skin.

Since the attack, I haven’t dare open the door to the backroom. I have to go through the basement, up into the yard and then through my back door to feed the nasty cat. That is why I feel like I’m a prisoner in my home.

Final Thoughts

Don’t make the same mistakes I made. And if your cat that is hissing at the new cat, then trust the cat you already know. Their senses are better than ours. Consider the following

1. Don’t bring a new cat into your home that isn’t fixed.

2. Take your time introducing the new cat to your cat(s).

3. Have someone to help you when you do make the introduction.

4. Take every precaution to make sure that all the kitties get along, and most importantly, don’t get injured.

I wish you luck and don’t get injured as I did!

The post My Cat Hissing At New Cat (Cat Aggression & Attack) appeared first on Fairmount Pet Service.

Dog sitting is when your sitter makes 3 visits per day to your home, while boarding is when your dog stays at your sitters home.

The best option for all pets, including dogs, is in-home sitting. I cover all the duties, responsibilities, rates and surcharges and anything else to help you choose the best dog sitting company for your dog.

What exactly is In-Home Dog Sitting?

There are a number of different type of pet sitting services. In-home sitting is when a pet sitter stays in your home and performs all the duties you would do for your dog or other pets.

This is the best option for dogs that need special care like puppies, senior dogs or dogs that suffer from separation anxiety. It is also a good option for cats, but cats are pretty good with just a single visit per day.

Below I cover all the details that pet sitting companies in Philadelphia provide for their in-home sitting service. You do not need to live in Philadelphia to get an idea of what to expect from in-home sitters in your city.

If you are not sure if you want dog sitting, in-home sitting or boarding, then read my article Definitions of Pet Sitting for detailed descriptions on those pet services.

Hopefully, you already have a dog walker or pet sitter. If you do, then you know you can trust them and they already know your pet.

If you are hiring an in-home pet sitter for the first time, then your sitter will need all the details about taking care of your dog.

Common duties \ descriptions

Here are the most common duties that in-home sitters offer:

• • Expect at least AM and PM feedings and walks, but ask if mid-day walks are included in the price. Not all companies offer a mid-day walk. You’ll have to pay extra for that.
  • Make sure to ask how long the walks are, especially if your dog takes forever to do his or her business. You may have to pay for longer walks.
  • Meals: feedings and walks should be at the times your dog is used to so he remains on a normal schedule.
  • Make sure you are hiring someone to sleep in your home. Some companies only offer pet sitting, but their services page calls it in-home sitting.
  • Most sitters will also water plants, bring in mail, turn lights on and off, take out the trash, etc.
  • Besides meals, they will also make sure your dog has fresh water, administer medication.
  • For larger companies, you should be able to pick your preferred sitter, especially if he or she already knows your dog.
  • Keep in mind, sitters have other dog walking and pet sitting appointments throughout the day. Most note that arrival time is between 7:00-8:00 for both night and mornings.

Rates & surcharges

There are some companies that simply list their rates and what you get for that. Others have surcharges for everything possible. Here are examples of some of the surcharges.

• Major holidays will have a higher rate.
• Additional dogs: expect a per-day surcharge.
• One company in Philly does not include a mid-day walk even though they have the highest rate. Instead, they charge you for their daycare service. Keep that in mind.
• Puppies: You will definitely have a higher rate if you own a puppy.
• Surcharge for reserving a spot in less than 24 hours.
• You may not get your deposit back if you cancel in less than 24 hours.
• If you want more than 3 walks or longer walks, then expect to pay extra.

Take a look at my In-Home Dog Sitting Rates For Philadelphia to see the actual costs and rates to give you an actual idea of pet sitting costs.

Deposits

Asking for a deposit is normal to make sure you get a spot and for the company to keep if you cancel within days of the sitting dates.

• A non-refundable deposit usually equal to one day of sitting.
• The deposit is applied towards the total cost of sitting,
• Some companies require the balance in full within 48 hours of the start of the sitting.

Reservations

It’s always important to reserve your spot well in advance. There are way more dog owners than companies that offer dog boarding or in-home dog sitting.

Schedule as far in advance as possible – 48 hours is usually the minimum to schedule. Some companies ask you to make holiday reservations 90 days, or more, in advance.

Cancellations

I know from my experience that cancellations stink. I’ve lost potential clients more than once when I turned a potential client away because I was already booked – and then I get the cancellation.

Most companies require 24 hours to cancel any services or your deposit may not be refunded. You will need to give at least one week notice if you cancel a major holiday reservation.

Instructions

This is one of the most important aspects of pet sitting or boarding. Some dogs are easy and the notes are “Please feed him and walk him 3 times”. Other dogs require more work.

Make sure to have a list of anything you feel is important for your sitter to know. Here are some examples of things to communicate with your sitter:

• Detailed instructions on how to care for your dog, especially feeding notes and any issues with walking your dog. Aggressive dogs or dogs that go after squirrels are a problem. Let your walker know all of that.
• Location of the leash and collar/harness, toys & treats, bed or crate, etc.
• If your dog requires medication then make sure to have detailed notes on where the meds are, how much, how often, etc.
• Also, leave the contact information for your vet.

Take a look at this article from Canine Journal on Dog Sitting Tips for Parents for some great points.

Final Thoughts

Try to find a company that has flat rates with minimal surcharges. If they do a good job, stick with them for the life of your pets. Also, give them some positive online reviews, testimonials, referrals, and bonuses at Christmas or New Year’s Eve.

The post In-Home Dog Sitting: Dog Sitters That Stay At Your Home appeared first on Fairmount Pet Service.

Adequate Exercise

Dogs of all ages benefit from regular exercise, but young dogs especially seem to have boundless energy. Even if you routinely take your dogs on long walks in the morning or when you get home from work, your dog may still have the energy to expend. Taking your dog to doggie daycare for all-day play can help your dog burn up some of that endless energy while both his body and mind are getting exercise!

Mental Stimulation

Physical exercise alone is usually not enough to keep your dog feeling (and behaving) his best. Your dog needs just as must mental stimulation as he does physical activity, and routine visits to his doggie daycare may provide just what he needs. New sights, new smells, and new friends to play with will help keep his mind engaged.

Socialization and Playtime

Dogs are social creatures by nature, needing constant attention and interaction in order to thrive. By spending time at doggie daycare not only will your pup get to play with his peers, but he will learn proper playstyles and improve how he interacts with other dogs, making public interactions in dog parks or on walks a more positive experience.

Peace of Mind

Doggie daycare isn’t just good for dogs – it’s good for their parents, too! If you are constantly worried about your dog while you’re away at work all day, or worry that you aren’t giving your dog the daily exercise that he needs, doggie daycare may help secure your peace of mind!

Behavior Benefits

Taking your dog to doggie daycare offers a plethora of behavioral benefits, making both yours and your dog’s life easier. Some of the behavior benefits of doggie daycare are:

• Calmer Behavior – a tired dog is a happy dog, and a dog that’s tired from both positive mental and physical stimulation is especially happy!
• More trainability – because your dog has a chance to expend all of that extra energy, he will likely be more focused and more obedient during your training sessions.
• Better dog interactions – consistent exposure to other dogs at doggie daycare will help your dog associate interactions with other dogs as a positive experience. This makes your walks or encounters with new dogs at the dog park less stressful.
• Decreased separation anxiety – if your pup suffers from separation anxiety, doggie daycare may be just the ticket to helping him overcome his fear! Attending doggie daycare will help your dog associate his time away from you like fun and worry-free, lessening his separation anxiety over time. For pet parents of dogs with separation anxiety, knowing that your dog is supervised, and not home alone being destructive, can alleviate your own anxiety as well.

Is My Dog a Candidate for Doggie Daycare?

Most, but not all, dogs are candidates for doggie daycare. If your dog is non-aggressive, not sick, and not injured, chances are your dog will be a great fit for daycare. If you have an elderly dog that is in less than stable condition, a dog who is recovering from an illness or surgery, or a dog who has a history of aggression, doggie daycare may not be for you.

Dogs of all kinds can benefit from doggie daycare. If you’ve got an active, healthy, energetic pup that you think would benefit from all-day play with his friends, consider taking your dog to doggie daycare!

Dog daycare average cost &  contrast with other dog sitting services

If you are near Philadelphia, PA, then the average half-day cost is $22 versus the full day cost of $32. Take a look at the article Doggy Daycare Cost: Prices In Philadelphia, PA for a detailed list of dog daycare costs and requirements.

If you are unsure if doggy daycare is the service you need, then take a look at Definitions of Dog Walking, Pet Sitting & Pet Boarding to get a better understanding of all available pet services.

Note: Article contributed by Abi Pennavaria (dog and pet writer).

Abi Pennavaria is a dog mom, avid veterinary volunteer, and co-author of Saved By The Bark blog. She enjoys sharing tips and tricks for dog owners of all breeds.

The post Dog Daycare: Benefits of Taking Your Pup to Doggie Daycare appeared first on Fairmount Pet Service.

The best choice is boarding in a home environment, but there are not a lot of pet sitters who offer this service. So you may have to choose a dog kenneling service.

No matter which one you choose, there are many things to consider to make your dogs stay a great experience. It all depends on your dog’s particular needs and behaviors.

What To Expect Boarding A Dog For The First Time

There are things that you need to do and things your pet sitter or kennel needs to provide. Some of your main thoughts should be communicating your dog’s needs, habits and behaviors with the person who will be watching him. But let’s define the meaning of dog boarding first.

What is Dog Boarding? Dog Boarding Meaning

Boarding is when your dog stays at a pet sitters’ home or a professional dog kennel facility.

Think of the phrase “room and board”, which is just shortened to board or boarding. Check out the wiki page on this phrase, but the “room” means a private bedroom, and “board” refers to daily meals.

I like to equate boarding in a pet sitters’ home to sleeping at a bed & breakfast in a private home. There is a domestic feel to B&B’s which is why they are a preferred option over hotels. I consider a kennel facility more akin to a hotel – less personal and they pack in the “guests” for maximum profit.

Read my article on Definitions of Dog Walking, Pet Sitting & Pet Boarding for a more in-depth description of dog boarding.

What Should I Expect Boarding My Dog for the First Time?

So you are going away and you can’t bring your dog with you. Your first choice would be the free option – dump your dog off with a friend or family member. That’s what I would do.

Make sure you only have another dog owner watch your dog. You don’t want your friend to take liberties with your dog (letting him off-leash) ending with a bad result. Choose only other dog owners.

But if you are here then that is not an option or you already tried that without luck.

That leaves two choices: boarding in a home or staying at a kennel. The kennel could be at your vet or daycare center, or a facility dedicated to kenneling dogs.

Boarding In-Home or at a Dog Kennel Facility

I won’t go into great detail boarding your dog at a kennel because I have no experience with that. And also because I believe boarding your dog in a pet sitters home is the best option.

However, I’ll cover issues and questions that you need to think about when it comes to boarding, which will apply to kennel facilities as well.

So the picture above is of a dog kennel facility. I could show any photo of a dog on a couch as contrast and you’ll understand the difference between the two. I’m sure most reputable kennels provide interaction and supervised play space, I just don’t think it’s the BEST option.

Regardless of your choice, you have to bring your dog and take a look at where he will stay. Make sure everything looks good and ask as many questions as you need.

Questions to ask the Person Boarding Your Dog

The bottom line is you want things to be as close to possible as if your dog was in your home. You just need some common sense in choosing a dog boarding service.

If your dog is the average dog with average needs, activity, energy, etc., then it’s simple. No special instructions required, you just need his basic needs taken care of.

But if your dog has health, medical or behavior concerns, then those need to be communicated to the person(s) boarding your dog.

What you want to know is:

• If there are other animals at the location, are they up to date on shots and have flea & tick prevention? (Your dog must be up to date as well.)
• If medicine is required, can they administer it?
• Will they take your dog to my vet in an emergency?
• How often will your dog be walked?
• Will they feed your dog on the same schedule as you do?
• Where will your dog sleep?

The answer to the first 3 questions should be yes, and they should walk your dog at least 3 times a day.

As for the feeding schedule question, a kennel facility probably have set times they feed all the dogs. A pet sitter boarding in their home can feed your dog as you request.

Where your dog will sleep depends on where you are boarding him and other factors.

If dogs want to sleep with me in my bed they can, though my dog is an attention hog. He tends to nudge dogs away from me so he can get close, which makes the dog I’m boarding jump off the bed. Then I have to push my dog out of the way and woo the other dog up. Getting to sleep can be a chore.

Things to Bring When You Board Your Dog

Bring your dogs’ favorite things to help make his stay as comfortable as possible. Anything with a familiar scent from home is fantastic like blankets, a dog bed or even one of your t-shirts. My dog often naps on my clothes.

Obviously, bring his food and treats but also his favorite toys. Chew toys will help ease any anxiety at being in a new environment.

Miscellaneous Dog Boarding Concerns

Make sure to book early especially close to the holidays. This is a must for in-home boarding as most pet sitters only board one dog at a time. My rule is only boarding one dog at a time, though I have made exceptions.

I would suggest sending an email 4 weeks in advance of your trip. Then you can schedule a meet-and-greet a week later. If all goes well book your dates at that time.

Give the person boarding your dog your contact information, as well as your veterinarian’s phone number. And consider giving them contact numbers for a friend or family member in case of an emergency.

You can ask for an update on the first day of boarding to see how your dog is doing, but don’t ask for updates every day. Let the professionals do their work. We will let you know if there is a problem, so hope that you don’t hear from us.

And that leads me to tips for pet sitters who are boarding a dog for the first time. This may be of interest to you if you are boarding your dog as it should give you further insight into boarding in general.

First-Time Dog Boarding for Pet Sitters

You want everything to go smoothly. You don’t want to have to contact the owner. When in doubt, think of the dogs’ well-being first. If you are new to boarding dogs, then here is a list of my requirements:

• Dog feeding instructions and food for the duration of the boarding
• Notes on medicine if applicable
• Bed, crate or blankets to help the dog settle in at my place
• Dog treats and their favorite toys
• Leash and collar \ harness
• Notes on anything else I need to know

If I have answers to those questions, then I’m good. Let’s look at the last question.

I need to know how the person’s dog reacts on a leash:

• Is he or she aggressive towards other dogs? If so, then avoid all dogs.
• Will your dog jump on people, knocking them down potentially injuring them?
• Will the dog rip my arm off when he sees a squirrel or stray cat?

Hopefully, the answer is no to all of those questions. If you are a dog owner, be honest to the person boarding your dog. It is better to know about problems before they happen.

The point is that you need to know what to expect so that you can be prepared for it. If you are new to boarding a dog, then focus only on the safety of the dog.

I have boarded dogs that are easy and dogs that are difficult. They need food, water and to be walked. If you have difficulty walking a dog, then walk them no longer than it takes to relieve themselves. Safety first!

You will get better with boarding dogs in time. But if you are a dog walker you should be fine. And you will get a feel for a dog after boarding him or her a couple of times.

Boarding a Puppy for the First Time

All the points above for boarding a dog for the first time applies to puppies as well, but with some additional notes:

• Puppies need to have their final vaccination shots if they will be in contact with other dogs or pets.
• Owners need to bring a crate, pee pads and whatever else is being used to house-train their pup.
• Chew toys: bring all their chew toys. And if you are new to boarding a puppy, then hide things you like or else they will be chewed.
• For pet sitters, puppies cannot hold their bladder as long as adult dogs. Count on more walks for quick pee breaks.

Take a look at my article on How Much Exercise Does a Puppy Need to gain some further insight if you are boarding a puppy for the first time.

Boarding a Dog with Separation Anxiety

Some dogs do not do well when left alone for many hours. Pet sitters only do three visits per day, which leaves a lot of alone time for those dogs.

Dogs suffering from separation anxiety fear the isolation and can develop negative behavior changes. They may bark constantly until you return. Chewing or destroying things is common.

They may also have “accidents” in the house or try escaping by scratching at doors or digging under fences if left in a yard.

This is why in-home boarding is best for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety. A kennel can be a lonely place for the nervous dogs needing regular attention.

Plus kennels can look and feel like a dog shelter, possibly creating fear in your dog. If they had a bad experience in a shelter before you adopted them, then they may become uncooperative.

I have an article on Crate Training At Night and First-Time Dog Owner Tips that covers using a crate for training and anxious dogs. The crate can act as a personal space, or den, where they feel safe.

Note that if your dog tries to escape out of a crate, you need to take him to behavior classes. Dogs can injure themselves from the metal parts of the crate. Hopefully, your dog does not have this level of anxiety.

Dog Behavior after Boarding

If your dog appears different after boarding, then something went wrong. They, of course, will be happy when they see you, but they shouldn’t be traumatized.

In-home boarding should always be a pleasant experience for a dog but staying at a kennel may not. The noise of other dogs barking or a scuffle with another dog could negatively affect the shy types.

Your dog may be hungry when you get him home. Some dogs will not eat as much in the new environment. I often experience this. I’ve had to buy meat to feed to a dog I was boarding because he was not eating his food.

If your dog is not used to a crate, then staying at a kennel may not be the best option of boarding.

I personally let each owner know how things went. If it didn’t go well I tell them, but most often things are fine. It’s usually the first time boarding that is difficult for a new dog. If you are a pet sitter boarding for the first time, then try to make the dog’s first stay a great one.

Dog Traumatized after Boarding

If you experience serious behavior changes then your dog did not do well. Check with the person who watched them find out what may have happened.

If they don’t know, then that’s a problem. If it was a kennel your dog stayed at, then they either failed in their duties, or the overnight conditions were bad for your dog.

Dog Boarding Philadelphia Area

If you are near Philadelphia, PA I have an article on Dog Boarding Rates in Philly. I have a link to their websites and include where they are located.

There are 13 pet service companies in Philly who offer dog boarding, only 7 board dogs in their home. The dog boarding prices \ costs range from $30 to $100 per day with an average of $60.

Conclusion

Make sure to do your research on what type of boarding you want. Then start looking at various homes or kennels to find the best fit for your dog.

I’m curious if anyone has experiences with both kennels and in-home boarding. Do you have a preference for one versus the other? Comment below with your experiences and good luck finding the perfect boarding location for your dog.

The post Boarding A Dog For The First Time appeared first on Fairmount Pet Service.

There are 22 companies that offer doggy daycare in Philadelphia with centers in 13 zip codes. I list the dog daycare prices for each at the basic half and full-day packages.

All offer full-day packages and 10 of them offer half daycare. There are discounts for how many days you need per month. I mention those breakpoints below, as well as requirements and daycare center amenities.

There are added costs if you are late picking up your dog so try not to be late. The late fees can add up quickly.

Dog Daycare prices and discounts (as of 9/4/19)

The prices are split into either full-day or half-day. The most common daycare center times are approximately 7 am to 7 pm which is considered “full day”. Half-day is typically for 5 hours. Pick up and drop off times vary so check with each company for details.

There are discounts for different “packages”. The packages are just the number of days which tend to be in 5, 10 or 20-day increments. So a 20-day package will be the cheapest dog daycare price, The most expensive would be the single day rate which are the prices that I list below.

Here are the dog daycare rates for each company listed in ascending zip code order:

Zip code 19103
Dog School: The full-day dog daycare price is $34 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.

19106
The Ruff Life:: The half-day dog daycare price is $25 with a 10-day discount. The full-day daycare price is $35 also with a 10-day package discount.

19121
Andrew’s Pack: The full-day price is $32.

19123
Dog School: The full-day price is $34 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.
The Towne Barker: The half-day dog daycare price is $18 with a 5-day discount. The full-day daycare price is $28 also with a 5-day package discount.

19125
Park Bench Philly: The full-day price is $30 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.
The Groove Hound: The full-day price is $30 with discounts for 10 or 20-day packages.

19127
Scallywags: The half-day dog daycare price is $20. The full-day daycare price is $30 with a 10 or 20-day package discount.

19130
Dog School: The full-day dog daycare price is $34 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.

19144
Just 4 Paws: The half-day dog daycare price is $20 with discounts for 10 or 30-day packages. The full-day daycare price is $30 with a 5, 10 or 20-day package discount.

19145
Bark Park: The half-day dog daycare price is $27. The full-day daycare price is $34 with a 5 or 10-day package discount.
The Philly Pack: The full-day daycare price is $40 with a 5-day package discount.

19146
Dog School: The full-day dog daycare price is $34 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.
Central Bark: The full-day dog daycare price is $38 with discounts for 10 or 20-day packages.
Groom & Board: The full-day dog daycare price is $32 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.
ZDogWalkers: The full-day dog daycare price is $30.

19147
Barkadelphia: The half-day dog daycare price is $25. The full-day dog daycare price is $34 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.
For Paws Philly: The full–day dog daycare price is $25.
Pant Dog Center: The half-day dog daycare price is $25. The full-day dog daycare price is $40 with discounts for 4 or 10-day packages.
The Pit Stop: The full–day dog daycare price is $35 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.

19148
Phila Paws & Claws: The half-day dog daycare price is $25. The full-day dog daycare price is $30.

19154
Camp Bow Wow: The half-day dog daycare price is $21 with discounts for 10 or 20-day packages. The full-day daycare price is $28 with a 10 or 20-day package discount.

Disclaimer: I am not endorsing any of the pet businesses listed on this page. I do not personally know any of the owners. This is simply a listing of dog daycare prices that I compiled for people needing that service.

Common Dog Daycare Requirements

Make sure you have all your paperwork for your dog from your vet. You need to show proof of up to date vaccines for rabies, distemper, and bordetella. I’m sure those can be emailed to them by your vet.

Also, all dogs must have treatment for heartworm and flea & tick, though I’m not sure how you can prove that. Proof of spaying or neutering is often required as well.

Your dog will also have to have a behavior or temperament assessment. This will involve a quick walk test and a dog pack meet and greet. They have to make sure your dog can be social with other dogs.

You will not be accepted if your dog shows aggression. so keep that in mind.

Common Dog Daycare Center Amenities and Activities

Your dog will be walked 1-3 times per day. Probably once for half-day packages, and at least two for the full day. And of course, water is provided.

Some of the amenities to look for are separate play areas with climate control and a free roam area. Some centers have webcams and rubberized floors. I also noticed some of the centers mentioning the ability to separate dogs by size, age, and energy level.

Additional Pet Service Rates

I have an article on the rates and cost for every type of pet service. The article is called Pet Service Rates but it also includes other subjects like Philly dog parks, pet-friendly hotels, 24-hour emergency vets, and adoption locations. Check it out if you are interested in other pet services located in the city.

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