Preparing Your Dog For Boarding: Tips For You
If you are planning to go away for a while, you will need someone to take care of your dog. Pet boarding is often the best option in such cases as you can be sure that your dog will get the care they need from caring and compassionate professionals. However, if you have never boarded your dog before you may be wondering what you can or should do to prepare them for the pet boarding process. Get to know some of the steps you should take to prepare your dog for boarding. Then, you can be sure you are doing what you can to make this transition to boarding as easy as possible for them.
Get Them the Kennel Cough Vaccine
One of the steps you will want to take to prepare your dog for pet boarding is actually to take them to the veterinarian's office for a vaccine, specifically the kennel cough (bordetella) vaccine. Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory condition, commonly spread when dogs are kenneled together (hence the name).
If your dog has not ever had this vaccine, because they have never been boarded, or has lapsed on it, now is the time to get them up-to-date on this important vaccination. This will help to ensure that your dog stays as healthy as possible during their stay at the pet boarding facility.
Make Sure They Are Up to Date on All Vaccines
While you are at the vet's office for a kennel cough vaccine anyway, you might as well check to make sure your dog is up to date on all their vaccines. Update any shots that may have lapsed while you are already there. This is the best practice when your dog is being boarded.
Oftentimes as well, pet boarding services will require that a dog have all recommended vaccinations done before they are allowed to board there. This is for the safety and health of all dogs being kept in boarding.
Pack Plenty of Their Favorites
When you take your dog to the pet boarding facility, you do not want to go empty-handed. Be sure to bring some of their favorite things with them. Their food, for example, is an important item to bring with them. Your dog will do better in boarding if they are eating the same food they have at home.
Additional items you may want to bring are a favorite blanket or small pet bed, a favorite toy, or other items that can fit in their kennel and make them feel more at home. Having familiar items will make them feel more comfortable in the boarding environment.
Knowing these steps to take to prepare for your pet boarding, you can get the preparation process started right away.
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