Dog sitter, boarding or day care - what suits your dog?
Short answer
It depends on how long you are away and how your dog feels about other dogs. For a few hours, a dog sitter who comes to your home for a walk is usually enough; for full working days, day care suits better; and when you travel, your dog needs overnight care at a boarding kennel, at a sitter's home, or with a sitter who stays in your home. A calm, inexperienced or older dog is often happiest in a home with few other dogs, while a sociable dog can thrive in a bigger group.
What the words mean
People use these words slightly differently, so it pays to sort them out before you compare.
- A dog sitter is a person who looks after your dog. That can be daytime walks, home visits, day care or overnight care, either in your home or in the sitter's home.
- Dog day care is care during the day. You drop your dog off in the morning and collect them in the afternoon. A traditional day care centre often has a larger group of dogs and fixed days each week.
- Dog boarding means your dog stays away overnight, for example while you are on holiday. A traditional boarding kennel has its own premises with staff and many dogs at once.
On Pet Lounge, both day care and overnight care happen in a sitter's home, with far fewer dogs than at a traditional day care centre or kennel. That is why we sometimes describe them as home-based day care and home-based boarding.
The comparison at a glance
| Compare | Dog sitter who comes to you | Day care | Boarding and overnight care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where your dog is | In your home | At the centre or in the sitter's home | At the kennel or in the sitter's home |
| How long | A walk or a visit, usually an hour or less | A working day | One or more nights |
| Other dogs | Usually none | From a few in a home to a large group at a centre | From a few in a home to many at a kennel |
| Best for | Dogs who are happy at home and can manage a few hours alone | Sociable dogs and days when you work all day | Travel, hospital stays and longer absences |
| Keep in mind | Your dog is alone between visits | Traditional centres often require fixed days and a settling-in period | A new place, so a shorter trial night can be wise |
When a dog sitter who comes to you is right
If you are away for an ordinary working day and your dog is happiest at home, a sitter who comes by in the middle of the day is often enough. Your dog gets out, stretches their legs and then rests on their own sofa. Under the rules of the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket), a dog must be let outside at least every six hours during the day, so a long working day plus commuting quickly becomes too long without a break.
On Pet Lounge you book this as dog walking, where the sitter collects your dog from home, or as home visits if your dog also needs food, medication or company. If you are travelling but want your dog to stay at home, a sitter can stay in your home while you are away.
A sitter who comes to you is a poorer fit for dogs who cannot be left alone at all, because your dog is still on their own between visits.
When day care is right
Day care suits dogs who enjoy company and need activity all day, such as young, energetic dogs whose owners work full time. A traditional centre often asks for fixed days, vaccinations and a settling-in period where staff see how your dog does in the group. Anyone running dog day care as a business in Sweden needs a permit from the County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen). Pet Lounge's own day care and boarding in Gothenburg, run by Chamodi, holds that permit. The permit covers Pet Lounge's own service, not the independent sitters on the platform.
Day care with a sitter is an alternative for dogs who find a big group too much. Your dog spends the day in the sitter's home, usually with fewer dogs, and you can book single days when it suits you.
When boarding or overnight care is right
When you travel, your dog needs someone who is there at night too. A traditional boarding kennel has routines and staff, but your dog lives in a new place with many other dogs and in their own kennel or room.
With overnight care at a sitter's home, your dog sleeps in the sitter's home and joins in with everyday life there. That suits many dogs who are used to being close to their people. If you would rather your dog stayed somewhere familiar, a sitter can stay in your home instead.
How to choose based on your dog
Start with the dog, not the schedule. Go through the questions below and see which option gets the most yeses:
Questions to ask yourself about your dog
- Does your dog enjoy other dogs, or get stressed in a group?
- Can your dog manage a few hours alone at home without getting anxious?
- Is your dog a puppy, a senior, or living with a health condition that needs supervision?
- Does your dog need medication at set times?
- Has your dog slept away from home before, and how did it go?
- Is your dog reactive to dogs, people or traffic on walks?
A calm senior is often happiest at home with home visits or a sitter who stays with you. A sociable young dog may think day care is the best part of the day. And if you have a cat, staying at home is even more often the answer, with cat sitting, or cat boarding at a sitter's home if your cat copes with a change of scene.
Try it before the big trip
Whatever you choose, it is wise to start small. Meet the sitter, let your dog say hello, and book a shorter day or a single night before a longer trip. You see how your dog reacts, and the sitter gets to learn the routines without any rush.
Search for sitters near you, filter by service and read reviews from other dog owners. Before you hand your dog over, go through our checklist before the stay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a dog sitter and dog boarding?
A dog sitter is a person who looks after your dog, in your home or in their own. Dog boarding is a service where your dog stays overnight, often with many other dogs. On Pet Lounge, overnight care means your dog stays in a sitter's home.
Can my dog go to day care if they do not like other dogs?
A big group is rarely right for a dog who gets stressed around other dogs. Day care with a sitter who has few or no other dogs, or a dog sitter who comes to your home, usually works better.
Does dog day care or boarding need a permit in Sweden?
Anyone running dog day care or boarding as a business needs a permit from the County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen). Pet Lounge's own day care and boarding in Gothenburg, run by Chamodi, holds that permit. It covers Pet Lounge's own service, not the independent sitters on the platform, so ask your sitter how the care works before you book.
How long can a dog be left alone at home?
Under the Swedish Board of Agriculture's rules, a dog must be let outside at least every six hours during the day. How long your own dog can be alone also depends on age, habit and health. A midday dog walk solves this for many owners.
Are there similar options for cats?
Yes. With cat sitting a sitter comes to your home, and with cat boarding your cat stays in a sitter's home. Most cats are happiest in their own surroundings.
Find a sitter near you
Read profiles and reviews, compare prices and send a message before you book.
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