Your pet, who you love with all of your heart, can’t always go with you on every vacation or business trip. However, you still want them to be safe and comfortable at a place for them to consider a home away from home while you are gone. After you have found the perfect place to board your pet, there are certain things that you can do to prepare your pet for the boarding experience. Here are some ways that you can prepare your pet for boarding.
If your pet has never been boarded before, you might want to try a short overnight stay prior to a longer stay so that they can get used to the environment and you will know that they are comfortable being there. After a quick visit your pet should feel comfortable and safe.
Before your pet can stay at a boarding facility they must be up to date on all shots and be free of any contagious disease. If your pet is not up to date on shots the staff will not allow the pet to stay there as it is not safe for the other animals in the boarding facility.
Get your pet used to sleeping somewhere by themselves before the extended stay. If they are used to sleeping in the bed with you, it is going to be a hard transition from them which could stress them even more being in a new environment.
It is normal for a pet to stop eating when their routine changes, so don’t panic if you get your pet back and they have not had much food to eat. Just like humans, pets get stressed out over changes and when they are stressed they don’t eat as much. Your pet will start eating once they are hungry and comfortable enough, they will not let themselves starve. Don’t change their food before you board them as this can lead to upset stomachs and it is another change that your pet does not need to go through.
Bring any toys that your pet loves to make them feel right at home. Familiar objects will make the pet more comfortable and feel safe having a toy or blanket that they are secure with. Note that it is possible for other pets to get ahold of the toy or comforting object, so make sure it isn’t something that is highly valuable and label it so that the staff members know it is your pets.
When boarding your pet you should feel comfortable knowing that they are safe and in good hands. Preparing the pet beforehand will make the change of pace different for you and for them as well, so keep these tips in mind when you are boarding your dog.
About the Author
Two Ponds Pet Lodge is pleased to bring you this article
on preparing your pet for boarding. Two Ponds specializes in animal boarding in Arvada, and dog grooming in Golden, CO. If you are interested, be sure to check out their website today.
1 Comment
As a small animal boarding business i fully understand what you are saying regarding preparing your pets for boarding. You can tell which pets are used to staying away from home and which ones are not. Thanks for sharing