Boarding Your Pet: A Complete Guide To ensure a seamless boarding experience for both you and your pet, preparation is essential. Determining how long you will be gone and the precise dates you will require boarding services is the first step in this process. This gives you plenty of time to do your homework and choose a kennel that will suit your pet’s needs. Early planning can help guarantee a spot for your pet because many respectable kennels require reservations, particularly during popular travel seasons or holidays. It’s crucial to take your pet’s disposition & behavior into account in addition to scheduling.
Key Takeaways
- Plan ahead and choose a kennel that suits your pet’s needs.
- Prepare your pet and pack all essential items for their stay.
- Communicate clearly with kennel staff about your pet’s health, medication, and special care.
- Provide emergency contact information and understand the kennel’s vaccination requirements.
- Help your pet transition smoothly both when leaving and returning home.
While some pets may adjust to new surroundings more readily, others may become anxious when separated from their owners. You can select a facility that provides the appropriate environment and care by being aware of your pet’s personality. For example, a kennel that offers group playtime might be perfect if your dog is very gregarious. On the other hand, a quieter facility with less interaction might be more appropriate if your cat is shy. One of the most important choices you will make when preparing for your pet’s boarding experience is choosing the ideal kennel. Start by looking into nearby kennels and reading other pet owners’ reviews.
You can assess the caliber of care by using websites like Yelp and Google Reviews, which offer insights into other people’s experiences. Asking friends, family, or your veterinarian for recommendations based on their experiences is another thing to think about. Visit each kennel in person after you’ve narrowed down your options. This enables you to evaluate the kennel’s general environment, safety, & cleanliness. Keep an eye on the staff’s interactions with the animals; knowledgeable and caring staff can significantly improve your pet’s experience.
Seek out establishments that provide plenty of room for play & exercise in addition to cozy sleeping quarters. Playtime, feeding, and rest are all part of a structured daily routine in a kennel that puts its residents’ welfare first. For your pet to enjoy boarding, preparation is essential.
Let your pet get used to being away from home first. Take them on quick outings to friends’ homes or other places where they can experience being apart from you without the stress of a kennel, if at all possible. When it comes time to board, this gradual exposure can lessen anxiety. Before the actual boarding date, think about making an appointment to visit the kennel. You can introduce your pet to the staff & surroundings during “meet and greet” sessions at many facilities.
When your pet arrives for their stay, this familiarization can facilitate their transition. See how your pet responds to the environment and the personnel during this visit; their degree of comfort can give you important information about how they might manage their next stay. There is more to packing for your pet’s boarding stay than simply putting their favorite toys in a bag.
It’s crucial to think about what will keep them safe & comfortable while they’re away from home. Begin with necessities like food and any prescription drugs they might require. To prevent dietary disruptions, many kennels prefer that you bring your own food, so make sure to bring enough food and clear feeding instructions for the length of their stay. Incorporate familiar objects that smell like your pet, like a blanket or a favorite toy, in addition to food. In a strange setting, these things can be reassuring and lessen anxiety.
Make sure to let the kennel staff know in advance if your pet needs special bedding or has particular grooming requirements. In addition to guaranteeing that your pet has everything they require, packing these necessities helps your pet feel at home in their temporary residence. Maintaining good communication with the kennel staff is essential to guaranteeing your pet gets the best care possible while they are there. Spend some time talking about any particular requirements or preferences your pet may have before dropping them off. This covers any behavioral peculiarities that employees should be aware of, as well as dietary restrictions & exercise regimens.
For instance, letting staff members know if your dog has a favorite game or is shy around strangers can help them provide individualized care. Written instructions outlining your pet’s daily schedule, including feeding times, medication schedules, and any special care instructions, are also helpful.
Maintaining open channels of communication can also help you stay informed about your pet’s welfare while you are away, making you feel closer to them. Giving your pet accurate emergency contact information is crucial in case of emergencies or unforeseen circumstances while they are visiting. Make sure the kennel has a number of ways to contact you, such as phone numbers and email addresses. Also, if you are unable to be reached, think about designating a family member or trusted friend as a backup contact who can make decisions on your behalf.
Giving the kennel information about your veterinarian and any special medical requirements your pet may have is also a good idea. This includes information about any recent health problems that might surface during their visit, such as allergies or pre-existing conditions. You can help guarantee that your pet receives timely and appropriate care in the event of an emergency by providing the kennel staff with this information. You can greatly improve your pet’s comfort and wellbeing during their boarding stay by establishing a routine. It’s crucial to let your pet know about any particular routines they are used to at home, even though many kennels have set schedules with specific times for feeding, exercise, and relaxation.
If your dog has particular playtime preferences or usually goes for walks at certain times, for example, sharing this information can help staff create a more familiar environment. Also, think about how frequently you would like updates on your pet’s health while they are visiting. While you are away, some kennels offer daily reports or pictures via social media or email, which can give you peace of mind. Creating this routine not only enables you to stay in touch with your pet while they are away, but it also helps staff understand how to take care of your pet.
It’s important to carefully review the kennel’s vaccination requirements before boarding your pet. The majority of respectable kennels mandate that pets have received all necessary vaccinations, including those against rabies, distemper, and parvovirus for dogs and feline leukemia and rabies for cats. These regulations are in place to protect other animals in the facility from possible illness in addition to protecting your own pet. Consult your veterinarian well in advance of your boarding date to ensure compliance with these regulations. They can offer up-to-date vaccination records and offer advice on any extra shots that might be required in accordance with kennel policies or local laws.
Having these records on hand will expedite the check-in procedure and guarantee that your pet satisfies all health requirements prior to being admitted to the kennel. It’s crucial to talk to the staff in advance if your pet needs medication or special attention while they’re at the kennel. Give precise instructions on dosage, frequency, and any necessary special administration techniques (e.g. A g.
whether food & medication should be administered together). Bring the medication and any required syringes or measuring tools, if at all possible, in their original packaging. Tell the staff about any special care routines that might be required for your pet’s wellbeing in addition to medication.
For instance, letting staff members know if your dog has a skin condition that needs to be treated on a regular basis or if your cat needs help grooming because of age-related problems guarantees that they are ready to give your pet the proper care during their stay. For many pets, moving from home to a boarding facility can be difficult, so it’s crucial to take steps to make the process go more smoothly. Maintaining composure during drop-off is a useful tactic because pets frequently sense their owners’ emotions. They might feel more stressed if you seem nervous or upset about leaving them behind.
Before you leave, think about spending some time at the kennel. Your pet’s anxiety may be reduced if you let them explore their new environment while you are still there. Also, try not to take too long to say goodbye; instead, give a comforting pat or treat and depart right away. This method gives you & your pet the assurance that they will receive excellent care while you are away. After being apart from your pet for a while, coming home should be a happy reunion full of love and affection.
It’s crucial to understand, though, that some pets might require some time to adjust after being boarded. When they return to their home environment, they may show symptoms of anxiety or confusion. Establish a peaceful environment when you get home to help with this transition.
Give your pet some quiet time so they can reacquaint themselves with their environment at their own speed. Reintroduce them gradually to their regular activities, such as feeding times, walks, and playtime, while keeping an eye out for any indications of stress or discomfort they might show during this period of transition. You can make sure that both you and your pet have a good experience during this brief separation by adhering to these guidelines throughout the boarding process, from making advance plans and selecting the ideal facility to making sure that effective communication is maintained.
