Bird sitting vs bird boarding: What's best for our beak babies

Bird sitting vs bird boarding - the debate that can put some pet parents into a real flap! It can be tricky to decide what’s best for your feathered family when you’re away from home, and something you don’t want to shake your tailfeathers at. So, which is better? What are the ups and downs of bird sitting in comparison to paying for pet boarding?

Let’s take a moment to perch and twitter over the pros and cons of both types of vacation pet care to help you make the right choice for your feathered fellows. So, let’s take flight and soar over our options with a bird's eye view…

What is bird sitting?

Straight out of the cage, this has nothing to do with birds sitting on eggs or the floor, that’s for another article. No, this is all about pet sitters who specialize in caring for birds. For example, at a certain pet sitting travel solution site that’s all about pets and people cough cough, verified bird sitters can specify on their profile if they have previous parakeet experience, are expert egg collectors, or are best buddies with budgies. 

A bird sitter will provide in-home care for your bird, allowing them to stay in the comfort and safety of their own home, with their normal routine, until you’re home. They provide round-the-clock care in exchange for a place to stay, and that’s it!

There are just as many tips and tricks needed for bird sitters as there are for four-legged friends, so you can provide them with a specific to-do list and talk to them as often as you wish.

Bird sitting pros

Pets are happiest at home, and vets agree! Bird parents will know how sensitive their feathered family can be - many are very averse to changes in their environment. Bird sitting can remove the stress of travel and bird boarding by keeping them at home. Sitters can care for your birds as you wish them to, send you daily updates of how they’re doing, and be on hand if anything should happen.

It’s all free once you become a member and it’s easy to find sitters who specifically specialize in avian care and sitting. Talk to them beforehand or ask them to visit for a routine run-through - tailor the experience towards what will work best for your pet and reassure you as a parent.

Bird sitting cons

Any type of in-home pet sitting requires a lot of trust and an element of risk. While a person’s references and credentials can help you find a trustworthy pet lover, they are still a stranger being left with the two most precious parts of your life: Your pets and your home. For some, this could cause more worry than relieve it, particularly if you’ve never had a bird sitter before.

Some birds are also rather wary of strangers and can become aggressive if they’re not introduced properly. Similarly, unsocialized birds can find a new human stressful.

What is bird boarding?

Ever heard of bird boarding? Well, they are and they’re far more common than people might think. Just like with a kennel or cattery, bird boarding facilities are created to care for feathery friends while their human halves are away from home. Each bird or flock (depending on the size, of course) will be housed in their own temporary accommodation where they’ll be fed, cleaned, and entertained each day by a host of pet professionals.

Before you start searching for “bird hotel near me” please note these places do charge. To bear in mind, the larger your bird the more it’ll cost you. Beak babies' life Macaws or African Greys require a lot more daily attention and stimulation than a flock of boisterous budgies. Bird boarding can cost anywhere from $10 or £10 a day to $5 or £5 a day. Some places will also have an added cost if you don’t want to bring your own cage, but this will depend on the bird boarding facility.

Bird boarding pros

When it comes to pet sitting exotic birds like parrots, some pet parents may prefer to leave them with trained animal handlers and carers. This will always be guaranteed with bird boarding. These facilities are designed to keep pet birds safe and happy in a tailored environment surrounded by professionals and other beak babies.

You’ll be paying for daily feeding, cleaning, and even mental stimulation and interactions if this is something they need. They’ll have direct access to exotic vet care and be on hand to help should anything happen.

Bird boarding cons

Unfortunately, disease will always be an issue in shared pet boarding facilities. Like any kennel or cattery, bird boarding centers are very well maintained and clean, however, disease can sometimes find a way to sneak through and be passed on from pet to pet.

Unfamiliar smells and environments can also be stressful for birds as many don’t deal well with sudden changes away from their human flock and home. While many places will allow you to bring in toys from home or food bowls, there’s still no place quite like home.

And, of course, the cost. Agreeably, bird boarding isn’t going to break the bank, but it can add up, particularly if you’re someone who often needs to be away from home.

If you’re not sure whether bird boarding or bird sitting would work best for you and your feathered family, head to our Community Forum to connect with other parrot parents or budgie buddies and hear about their experiences with bird sitting. For those keen to find a beak buddy, check out all the available bird sitters near you or around your area.