Pet day care could help your pet live a longer, happier life.

Pet day care, which is also known as doggie day care, is a growing business. In many ways, it is very similar to child day care. You'll find scheduled meal times, secure play areas, activities and more. This is also a very safe way to allow your pet to socialize with other animals.

These facilities typically offer a wide variety of care options. While most of these options are for those who cannot take care of their pet during the day, some do offer overnight pet boarding. If you are going to be away for several nights, pet sitting and boarding may be a better choice.

Day care for pets will provide several benefits to your companion, including socialization, exercise, and sometimes even obedience training. The better facilities have very pleasant but structured environments. This keeps your pet safe, secure, and comfortable while away from your home.

Socialization of your pets is very important for the well-being of both you and your cat or dog. Without socialization with other animals, your pet may act aggressively in new environments. It can cause your pet to be fearful and scared and it may even bite or snarl to protect itself. Pet socialization remedies these problems. This reinforces the idea that doggy day care is a luxury but it does pay dividends over time.

Another benefit of pet care outside the home is exercise. Not only is this important for you, it's important for your pet. The better the health of your pet, the happier it will be and the longer it will live. Another plus to getting exercise through pet day care is that when you come home from a long day of work, you'll be able to rest. Your pet will be tuckered right out. Wonderful!

Keep in mind, however, that your pet may not be well suited to pet day care. Many pets will not ever interact well with other animals. Your pet might be too aggressive of their territory or mates. Your pet also might not like the daycare.

Remember, this is for you and your pet. Both! If your pet isn't compatible with a particular daycare, you will want to keep looking.

Like most pet services, pet day care can be a little costly. It is a luxury but it is well worth the investment. Prices can range from roughly $15 a day to more than $30 a day, depending on where you live and the specific locations you choose. Typically, there are discounts if your pet is staying for an extended period or is a routine visitor. But the bottom line is that there is a price to pay.

Another consideration is that the quality of these day care facilities can greatly vary. Remember, when it comes to pet services such as day care, you get what you pay for.

To determine whether a particular pet day care location is right for your pet, we recommend asking the business these questions:

How often will my pet interact with other pets? If they will be interacting often, find out if these interactions will be with other pets of the same size, breed and gender. If your pet is incompatible with other animals at the day care, it could make for dangerous and life-threatening situations for your pets. If possible, watch your pet for a few hours at the pet day care and monitor how well your companion interacts with new friends. Ask for a free trial.

Will the animals interacting with my dog or cat be neutered or spayed? This is very important for obvious reasons. Not only could your pet get a little too friendly, it can cause some very aggressive and negative behaviors.

How much play space will my pet have? The amount of space varies greatly between pet day care businesses. If it is a small area, your pet will not have enough room to explore. If it is a large area, make sure your pet is being monitored at all times for a healthy experience.

How hot or cold will my pet's play area be? Like humans, pets can freeze or experience heat strokes. Having a mild temperature is important for pet comfort. Ultimately, it comes down to evaluating the potential comfort of your dog or cat.

Will I need to provide pet food or is it included? This will be an added expense if the food is not included. However, keep in mind that it is better for a pet to maintain the same food in their diet, so even if food is provided, you might do well to supply your own pet food.

To conclude, if you're a pet owner with no free time on your hands during the day, pet day care could be the best option for you and your pet. We like to call this a luxurious investment. Your pet could live a longer and happier life because of the exercise and socialization this pet service provides. Best of luck in your search!