When you are a dog owner, you want to be able to take care of your dog and be with them at all times. However, sometimes life has other plans. Whether you are going on a business trip or a vacation, there may come a time where your travels do not include your beloved canine companion. When this is the case, dog boarding is often a good option. If you are planning a trip and are going to have your dog boarded, get to know some tips to help you make sure your dog is ready for the boarding process. Then, you can be sure your dog will have the best possible experience in boarding that they can.
Make Sure They Are Up-To-Date on Vaccinations
One of the most important steps you can take when you are planning to have your dog boarded is to make sure that they are up-to-date on all of their vaccinations. In a dog boarding facility, your dog will be in close proximity to many other dogs. These dogs may or may not be healthy and vaccinated.
You do not want your dog to pick up a preventable illness like kennel cough (bordetella) in the dog boarding facility if you can help it. Call your veterinarian and make sure your dog has all of their vaccinations current. If they do not, schedule an appointment to get these done before you leave on your trip.
Have Plenty of Dog Food
You do not want your dog to go to boarding and eat just any food that the facility has on-hand. Consistency is important in a dog's diet to prevent stomach upset and other issues. As such, you will want to make sure you have plenty of dog food for your dog to last the entirety of your trip (and that you remember to take it with you to the dog boarding facility). That way, your dog will have familiar food to eat while you are away.
Pack Some of Their Things
When your dog is in boarding, they will be in an unfamiliar environment, but if you make sure they have some of their favorite things with them, they might feel better about the situation. Pack a favorite toy of your dog's or the blanket that they usually sleep on. Doing this will help them to think of home and to be more relaxed and comfortable in their new (albeit temporary) environment.
Knowing these tips for making sure your dog is ready for boarding, you can get the process started and make sure your dog has the best boarding experience possible. Contact a dog boarding service, like Animal House Veterinary Hospital, for more information.