Leaving your pet behind when you’re away can be tough. However, if you find a trustworthy boarding facility and prepare your pet for their stay, you can help reduce your pet’s—and your own—stress, ensuring you both enjoy the experience. The Gentle Vet team shares tips to prepare your pet for a successful boarding experience.

#1: Tour pet boarding facilities in advance of your trip

Choosing a trustworthy facility about which you and your pet feel good is critical to planning a successful boarding stay. Rather than choosing  a facility based on pricing or service packages alone, call and schedule an in-person tour to see how your pet will be housed and assess the facility’s cleanliness. In addition, you should ask to meet the staff who will be caring for your pet. If you find a suitable facility, ask if your pet can stay for a trial half day or join a playgroup to ensure they’re comfortable in the space. If your pet is anxious during the trial visit, you, facility staff, and The Gentle Vet team can troubleshoot the problem, potentially providing your furry pal with anti-anxiety medications or supplements to help them relax.

#2: Update your pet’s vaccinations

A reliable boarding facility will require all pets to have certain vaccinations, which prevent infectious disease transmission. At least one month before your pet’s scheduled stay, ask the facility staff to provide you with a list of needed vaccinations. Beginning your pet’s vaccination process early allows ample time for the completion of an entire vaccine series if required. Schedule your pet’s examination visit with our veterinary team to update your furry pal’s vaccination status, check a fecal sample for parasites, and ensure your four-legged friend is healthy enough for a boarding facility stay. If your pet experiences separation anxiety, barrier frustration, or stress-induced diarrhea, The Gentle Vet team can prescribe medications preemptively for your furry pal’s boarding stay.

#3: Apply your pet’s parasite preventive product

A reputable boarding facility requires all pets to have flea and tick parasite preventives administered within one month of their stay. If your pet isn’t on a routine parasite control regimen, now is the time to start. The Gentle Vet stocks various parasite preventive products, and we encourage you to  call us to determine which product best fits your pet’s needs. Our team will also explain how purchasing your pet’s preventive product from us can maximize manufacturer rebates and savings. Our team strongly recommends that all dogs who frequent a social setting also remain up-to-date on their heartworm prevention, which provides protection against common intestinal parasites. However, most boarding facilities do not require pets who stay with them to be on a heartworm prevention product.

#4: Appoint an emergency contact for your pet

A responsible boarding facility will ask you to provide information that indicates the name and contact information for your preferred veterinary hospital. Ensure you authorize the staff to take your pet to the veterinarian if necessary. You should also appoint a local, trusted friend or family member as your secondary contact. This person can act on your behalf if the veterinary hospital cannot reach you or someone needs to collect your pet after medical treatment to return them to the boarding facility. Before you leave, contact your veterinary team and let them know you’ve authorized this person to make your pet’s health care decisions in your absence.

#5: Bring your pet’s food and other necessities

Your pet will fare better if you keep their diet consistent during their stay. While most boarding facilities offer high-quality diets, an abrupt diet change, often compounded by stress, can cause your pet to develop diarrhea. Portion out each of your pet’s meals in a baggie and label them by date, providing the boarding facility staff with detailed written instructions. You can do the same with your pet’s medications. Ensure you leave extra medication doses with the boarding facility staff in case your trip is unexpectedly extended or delayed. 

Pets may uncharacteristically shred or eat bedding or toys during their stay because they feel so much anxiety. However, most kennels limit the number of items you can bring from home. The facility should provide your pet with a safe bed and bedding. However, send at least one allowed item that helps remind your pet of their home’s scents, such as a t-shirt you have recently worn.

#6: Check in periodically for updates on your pet

You will undoubtedly wonder how your pet is faring while you are away. A trustworthy boarding facility will welcome check-in calls. In fact, many facilities offer private webcams or personalized text updates as part of everyday operations. If updates regarding your pet’s status are important to you, ensure you ask about this during your tour, and confirm that staff members welcome check-in calls.

Your pet’s boarding stay is likely to go smoothly when you prepare them for the experience. Before your upcoming vacation, contact The Gentle Vet to ensure your pet’s vaccinations and parasite prevention are up-to-date. We welcome your questions or concerns about preparing your pet for a boarding stay.