What to do with your dog when you go on holiday

When you are away overnight, your dog needs someone there around the clock, or at least morning, day and evening. In practice there are four ways to arrange it:

• A sitter stays in your home and looks after your dog in familiar surroundings.
• Your dog stays in a sitter's home and joins in with everyday life there.
• Your dog stays at a boarding kennel with staff and other dogs.
• Your dog comes with you.

Which one suits you depends more on your dog than on where you are going. Age, health, how your dog gets on with other dogs and how used it is to sleeping away all play a part.

With a sitter who stays in your home, your dog keeps its own scents, bed and walking routes. It is often the safest choice for older dogs, dogs who get stressed by a change of scene and homes with both a dog and a cat. The sitter also keeps an eye on your home while you are away. If you would like the sitter to bring in the post or water the plants too, agree on it before the trip.

It does mean being comfortable with someone else living in your home. Meet first, show them around and write down what matters, from the alarm code to where the lead hangs. Our checklist before the stay helps you cover everything.

With overnight care at a sitter's home, your dog lives in the sitter's home, often with few or no other dogs. It suits sociable dogs who enjoy company and are used to being close to their people. Your dog gets an everyday routine of walks, play and rest, and you get updates with photos while you are away.

The main difference from a traditional boarding kennel is the group. At a kennel many dogs stay at once with staff, while a sitter takes in just a few in their own home.

A road trip in Sweden with your dog can be lovely, but plan for toilet breaks, heat in the car and accommodation that actually accepts dogs. If you are going abroad, more rules apply:

The rules differ between countries and change from time to time, so check them with the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) well before you leave. It is often easier for your dog to stay at home, especially on short trips or where it cannot join in the activities.

Summer, Christmas and the big holidays are peak season for sitters. The earlier you book, the more sitters you have to choose from. This is what usually works best:

1. Search for sitters near you, filter by service and read reviews from other dog owners.
2. Send a message about your dog, the dates and the routines.
3. Meet first so your dog and the sitter can get to know each other.
4. Book a trial night or a shorter day a few weeks before the trip.
5. Leave instructions, food, medication and your vet's number.

If you want to know what it costs, there are examples in our guide to what a dog or cat sitter costs. You can also read about how Pet Lounge works and our approach to trust and safety.