Are you leaving town soon? You may be preparing to take Fido to a kennel while you’re away. Although your canine pal would probably prefer to stay near you, he’ll be much safer and healthier in a kennel. In this article from Valley Pet Hotel, your Rialto, CA pet hotel, also serving Bloomington, CA, a local vet offers advice on getting your dog ready for his hotel stay.
How Do I Prepare My Dog For Boarding Kennels?
Taking Fido to a kennel ensures that he’ll be safe and sound while you are away. One thing that is good about finding a regular kennel and staying with it is that the experience will become familiar for your pet. That will help a lot as far as easing any stress he may feel at being away from his home and humans. However, you will need to get your pooch ready.
Here are some of the things you’ll want to take care of.
Take Fido To Your Rialto, CA Vet For A Check Up
It’s always a good idea to have your pooch examined before boarding him. You want to make sure there isn’t an issue starting that you aren’t aware of, especially something that affects his care needs. You’ll also need to make sure he is up to date on his parasite control and recommended vaccines. Keep in mind that kennels may require a few things that go beyond the basic vaccines, which are called core. For instance, most kennels require pups to be immunized against Bordetella. You’ll want to get specific advice from both the kennel and your vet.
Of course, this will somewhat depend on how long it’s been since your pup’s last appointment. If it’s only been a month, he may be fine as is.
Make A List Of Questions
Kennels all operate a little differently. Some may keep all of their pups on set feeding times, while others may work things differently. There are also different options for things like add ons, perks, playtime, and other facets of Fido’s care. You’ll want to make sure that you are clear on what to expect.
Here are some of the questions to ask.
- What Time Will My Dog Eat?
- How Much Exercise Will My Dog Have?
- How Often Are Kennels Cleaned?
- What Time Will My Dog Get Walked?
Prepare Your Emergency Contact Information
While you’ll of course want to leave your contact information with the kennel, it’s also important to have a backup contact in case you can’t be reached. This should ideally be someone who lives nearby and knows you and Fido pretty well, such as a close friend or family member.
Your backup contact shouldn’t just be something you quickly jot down. Keep in mind that if something serious were to happen and you can’t be reached, they may be authorized to make decisions on your behalf. That may delve into the realm of emergency care, such as authorizing surgery. While that would of course be a worst-case scenario, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Just like people, pets are susceptible to a wide range of illness and injury, many of which can strike at any time.
Talk to your back up contact, and make sure you are clear about what you would want. You’ll also want to verify that they’ll be available during the dates you’ll be away. You may want to send them the kennel numbers to add to their contacts, so that if someone calls they don’t ignore it, thinking it’s yet another scam call.
Book A Trial Run
If possible, we always recommend that people take their pets in for an overnight stay before booking a longer dog boarding stay. This is helpful for a few reasons. For one thing, it will let you and your pet know what to expect next time. Plus, Fido will be more comfortable if he knows that you came to get him last time. This is particularly important for dogs that were rescued or adopted from shelters, as many are prone to developing separation anxiety.
Make Sure Fido’s ID Is Up To Date
This one is just a solid piece of advice even if you aren’t going out of town. One of the most important safety nets you can have in place is proper ID. Even if your canine pal is very well behaved and very loyal, he’s still a dog at the end of the day, and is prone to getting sidetracked or running off after squirrels or, well, there’s no end to the possible ways your pup could get lost.
ID tags are a big part of it. Given that you’ll be out of town, you may want to get another set made that also includes your backup contact’s number.
Microchipping is also very important. Make sure that your information is complete in the registry. If you’ve moved or changed numbers recently, then you’ll definitely want to verfy the info. That chip will be useless without the proper contact info!
Pack For Fido
Once you and your pup have gotten used to going to a certain kennel, it probably won’t take you too long to prepare. However, it’s never a bad idea to have a checklist ready. The last thing you want is to realize you forgot your dog’s meds as you’re boarding your plane!
Here’s our checklist of the things you’ll need.
- Food: If your pooch eats kibble, what you may want to do is separate portions into ziplock bags, with the dates and your pet’s name on them. Even if your kennel doesn’t require it, this is just a good way to keep things sorted. It’s best to bring a few days’ extra, in case of delays or mishaps.
- Bedding: Some kennels prefer to use their own beds, so they can ensure that everything gets properly cleaned and disinfected. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring a comfort item for Fido, such as a bed or blanket. This can go a long way towards easing your pup’s stress. He’ll have something to snuggle with that has your scent on it.
- Medication: If your pooch takes any medication, or even if he will be due for, say, heartworm preventative during your trip, then you will of course need to bring that. That includes supplements as well. As with food, we would suggest bringing a few days’ extra, in case you are delayed.
- Leash And Collar: It’s not a bad idea to bring an additional leash and collar. It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
- Documentation: Any decent kennel is going to require proof that Fido is up to date on certain vaccines and parasite control. You may also need to fill out various forms, especially if you are going to a new kennel for the first time.
You may also get an info packet or email from the kennel. Look things over carefully, and make sure you are clear on things like drop-off/pickup times, fees, extras, and other elements.
Book Boarding At Our Pet Hotel
Do you need to board your pup? Please contact us here at Valley Pet Hotel, your Rialto, CA pet hotel, also serving Bloomington, CA. We are dedicated to taking excellent care of each and every one of our furry guests, and are always happy to answer questions.
