Before shelling out your money, make sure that doggie daycare is worth the expense

Pet spas and doggie daycares are popping up all over the country as an alternative to traditional kennels for dogs. These facilities offer day-time care for dogs, giving working professionals the ability to drop their dogs off in the morning and to pick them up in the evening – it works just like traditional daycare for children. As you might expect, doggie daycare can be quite expensive – especially if you use it several times a week. But is it worth the cost? In this article we’ll go over basics about doggie daycare and whether or not it is worth it.

What is Doggie Daycare?

There are currently more than 1,500 doggie daycare centers (and growing) throughout the country that cater to the needs of working professionals. These centers function in the same way that traditional daycare centers do for children – they offer a place for your dog to stay for a few hours while you are at work or running errands. A doggie daycare center differs from a kennel in that your dog is not kept isolated in his own cage – he will typically be spending time with other dogs, playing and taking part in various activities. Costs may vary, but you can expect to pay about $45 per day for doggie daycare – this adds up to about $500 or so per month if you use it regularly.

Pros and Cons of Doggie Daycare

Before you make up your mind about doggie daycare, it would be wise to weigh the pros and cons. While doggie daycare may be ideal for some pet parents, other may consider it an unnecessary expense. Below you will find a list of the pros and cons associated with doggie daycare:

Pros:

Cons:

Is it Just a Scam?

The word “scam” is fairly harsh and is generally applied to services or products that offer no real value. A doggie daycare facility does, however, provide a service for individuals who want to see their dog taken care of during the day when they are not home. Whether or not doggie daycare is right for you is another matter. Before you make up your mind about doggie daycare, take the time to explore the options in your area and consider whether you may have other options at your disposal. You may be able to hire a dog walker or sitter, for example, to check in on your dog once a day while you are at work. You may even be able to find a friend or neighbor who has also has dogs but is home during the day – he or she may be willing to accept your dog into the home for less than a doggie daycare center would charge.