Vet Info for Pet Parents

What You Need To Be Prepared For Boarding Your Dog

When you have a vacation planned and can't take your pup with you, you will need to find someone to take care of him while you are gone. If you don't have a trusted friend or family member who can do this for you, a dog boarding facility is often your next best option. Your dog will receive plenty of attention while you are away, and his day-to-day needs will be taken care of. Keep reading to learn what you need to have on hand when you take your dog to the facility for his stay.

Necessary Documentation

In order for your four-legged friend to be accepted as a "client" at a dog boarding facility, proof of vaccinations will be required. As a general rule, facilities will require that you be able to provide proof that your dog has received a current rabies shot, Bordetella vaccination, distemper/parvo vaccination. Some facilities may require that your dog have undergone tick prevention treatment.

Food

Some boarding facilities will provide water and food for your dog in the price that you pay for the boarding. However, other facilities will not provide this service. In either instance, you may want to bring your dog's own food, particularly if he has certain dietary restrictions or requirements. In the event that you decide to take your dog's own food to the boarding facility, make sure that it is properly labels with your dog's name as well as feeding instructions.

Medications

If your dog takes medication on a daily or weekly basis, the boarding facility will be more than happy to administer the medication to your pet. However, a lot of facilities will require that the medication is in its original container with its original label. If your dog requires an injection, you may want to speak to the facility to ensure they will administer injections.

Familiar Bedding and Toys

While the pet boarding facility may be spacious and comfortable, you want to take the steps that you can to ensure that your dog is as comfortable as possible while staying in an unfamiliar environment. The best thing you can do is to bring a blanket that your dog likes to cuddle up in from home, along with a few of his favorite toys. By doing this, your dog is more likely to feel at ease during his stay at the facility when he is away from you.

For more information, contact a dog boarding facility like Animal House Veterinary Hospital.


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