Bird sitting vs bird boarding: What's the difference?

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? Are pet sitters a good idea? What are the ups and downs of bird sitting in comparison to paying for pet boarding? And when it comes to pet boarding vs. pet sitting, is one really much different to the other?

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. And for more detailed bird ownership advice, visit our blog.

Without any further ado, let’s take flight and soar over our options with a bird's eye view…

What is bird sitting?

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 on their travels.

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 agreed during the sit.

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.

Talk to your sitter 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. Plus, you can make use of our extra handy perks like our 24/7 veterinary advice line during sits. For more information on how welcoming trusted pet sitters works, click below.

Bird sitting cons

Welcoming a pet sitter can be daunting, especially if you’re new to it. And it makes total sense - your pets and your home are two of the most precious things in life! That’s why here at TrustedHousesitters, all of our sitters have completed ID verifications. Pet owners can also read sitter reviews on their profile, as well as external character references for extra peace of mind.

What is bird boarding?

Just like with a kennel or cattery, bird boarding facilities are created to care for birds while their humans 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 in some cases.

Before you start searching for “bird hotel near me” please note these places do charge, and can get costly depending on the length of your trip. 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.

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 often 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 (where vets agree pets are happiest).

And, of course, the cost. Bird boarding 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.

Useful resources

• Cat boarding vs. cat sitting
• Chicken sitting vs. chicken boarding
• What are kennels?
• How much do bird sitters cost?