Have peace of mind knowing your pet is in good hands by finding a doggy daycare that truly cares for them.
You know how important the health and happiness of your dog is. Nothing brings a pet parent more joy than knowing their pet is safe and sound. You know your pet better than anyone, so we know it can be tricky to part ways with them when you’re going to work or heading away for the weekend.
We can’t take our pets everywhere, and if you want to leave your dog in the hands of somebody who knows what they’re doing, why not consider picking a reputable doggy daycare?
Before we go any further, we wanted to quickly mention that it’s a good idea to take out pet insurance for your pooch if you’re thinking of sending them to daycare. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so if your dog ends up catching an illness from another dog or gets injured while playing, you’ll be able to take them to the vet without worrying about the bill.
Alright, let’s get into it!
What is doggy daycare?
In the simplest terms, doggy daycare is very much like child daycare. You drop your pup off in the morning before work and make sure you pack a bag with their food or favourite treats, a couple of toys, and a cosy blanket.
The doggy daycare staff will then supervise your pup throughout the day to make sure they are well looked after, and the bonus is that they get to spend time socialising with other dogs too. After work, you’ll fetch your pooch from daycare (and they’ll be SO excited to see you!)
What are the benefits of doggy daycare?
Daycare for your pet isn’t only for last-minute dog accommodation. There are benefits that come along with sending your dog for a day out:
- Your dog will receive a lot of exercise and stimulation.
- They get the opportunity to be social in a controlled environment.
- You can avoid separation anxiety and having a lonely doggo at home.
Now that you know the benefits, you’ll need to know how to pick the daycare that will meet all of these needs.
Our top tips for picking the pawfect doggy daycare
1. Vet the staff
We know the last thing you want to do is leave your pet with people you haven’t even met. When you’re looking for the best option, you should be able to visit each of the daycares you’re considering.
When you’re visiting, the number one priority is to find out a bit more about the people who work there. It’s important to know that the staff is personable and have your pet’s best interests at heart. They are there to help so make the most of your time by asking the right questions.
- How did they find themselves in pet care?
- Do they have pets of their own?
- Do they have any relevant pet behaviour qualifications or first aid?
- What are the protocols for pet emergencies?
2. Look at the facilities
Any change of environment is stressful for dogs – especially if this is their first time being dropped off at a doggy daycare. That’s why it’s advised that you make sure the space is going to be comfortable for your dog’s stay.
Dogs need space to run and play and comfortable, sheltered places to wind down and sleep. These are the two things to keep an eye out for when you go to visit the potential daycare. Ask about how often pets are exercised on the premises and what the daily schedule usually looks like.
Even dog daycares have to abide by proper sanitary protocols. Find out about how they maintain and clean shared spaces, bedding, kennels, toys and bowls.
3. Ask about pet health
You’ll know if a pet daycare takes pet health seriously based on the questions they ask you. They should require all the necessary information from you about any allergies, chronic illnesses or dietary requirements.
A reputable daycare will also absolutely ask you for proof of your dog’s vaccinations. Remember that there will be multiple dogs together in one space and it’s very important you know that the dogs attended have been vaccinated.
Some may require that your dog has been spayed or neutered to avoid any unexpected surprises! Most daycares will have admission requirements like up-to-date rabies, kennel cough and DHPP vaccinations.
4. Doggy daycare costs
Of course, a part of picking the right dog daycare for you is how much it is going to cost. Some daycares may charge by the hour if you only need to drop them for the morning or afternoon. Otherwise, day rates usually sit at around R150.
You should keep an eye out for packages and monthly deals – you may find that your dog adores having a day out and about one a week! Once your dog has had their special day away, it will all be worth it when they jump back in your arms at pick up time and you know they have been well looked after.
The Top Doggy Daycares in South Africa
Now that you know what to look out for when choosing a doggy daycare for your pawfect pup, here’s a list of some of the top doggy daycares in South Africa:
Cape Town
Johannesburg
KwaZulu-Natal
- The Durban Dog Hotel
- Paws for Thought Kennels
- Superdogs Doggy Daycare
- Play Dayz Doggy Daycare Ballito
Eastern Cape
We hope this article has given you all the info you need to pick the best daycare possible for your fur baby so you can have peace of mind that they’ll get the same care, if not better, than the care they get at home!
