An older woman holding a small dog on her lap

Whether to bring your pet or arrange care while away is a common question with a few practical factors to weigh.

Bringing your pet

Increasingly feasible with pet-friendly accommodations, but consider your pet's temperament and your own capacity to manage travel logistics alone.

Arranging care while away

A trusted sitter, boarding facility, or a pet-swap arrangement with another solo ager can all work — book well in advance for busy travel seasons.

Leave detailed written instructions with any caretaker, even ones familiar with your pet — specifics get forgotten under normal daily distractions.