Boarding Basics

 

Worried about what to do with your furry friend while you’re on vacation? Try these boarding tips that will keep everyone at ease.

By Nikki Yeh

 

You’ve got your bags packed and your wee ones ready to go, but what about your furry friend? If you’re not bringing your dog or cat with you on vacation, here’s a handy guide to finding it a temporary “home away from home.”

 

First off, remember that your four-legged buddy can get rather upset if you’re away for several days, especially if you already have a close relationship. As a result, your dog or might still be depressed long after your return, so do your research to determine the best option for temporary pet care.

 

Many pet owners find boarding to be successful for their dogs or cats. However, note that a simple phone call to book a day and time isn’t enough. A visit to the facility is necessary to determine if the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, as well as if the facility is hygienic, provides enough space for fresh air and exercise and has enough privacy for your dog or cat to rest peacefully.  (Keep in mind that dogs and cats should not be kept in cages that hardly have enough room to stand.) Also, ask the staff as many questions as you want; after all, you want to make sure both you and your pet are as comfortable and at ease as possible. Find out about the daily routines of dogs and cats staying at the facility. Are food and toys from home allowed? And what will happen if your dog or cat gets sick? Luckily, many veterinarians have boarding kennels in their facilities, so if your pet requires certain medications or might be prone to emergency attention, boarding with your vet may be your best bet. Also, keep in mind that most boarding facilities require you to update your dog and cat’s vaccinations, which include rabies and kennel cough (also known as bordetella).

 

As we all know, dogs and cats have different personalities, so some might not click well with the boarding facility’s staff and surroundings. Specifically for dogs, those that frequently interact with other pooches in parks or doggy daycares are likely to adapt to a boarding facility, mainly because they’re used to being around other animals. On the other hand, if you know that boarding will not be the best option for your canine or feline, consider having a pet sitter come to your home, which will keep your pet relaxed in its regular surroundings. However, not all pet sitters will be able to live in your home - make sure that the sitter visits at least twice a day to groom, feed, pet and exercise the dog or cat.  If you have a specific homemade diet for your animal, make the meals ahead of time and freeze them for the sitter to thaw out.

 

In many cases, a close friend or relative is more suitable to pet sit, especially if your dog and cat is already close to him/her. However, if you’re going to use a professional pet sitter, remember to introduce him/her to your pet before the big vacation. Arrange for the sitter to go for some walks with your dog or come over to play or pet your cat for a little while.

           

Whichever arrangement you choose, don’t forget to leave your contact information behind, as well as any special health needs your dog or cat requires. Also, if you want help in searching for a trustworthy boarder or pet sitter, ask your friends, family members, co-workers and even your veterinarian for their recommendations. Finally, don’t hesitate to ask boarding facilities or pet sitters for their references; in fact, some Canadian and American sitters and facilities are affiliated with reputable organizations, including the American Boarding Kennel Association or Pet Sitters International.

 

Trip Tips

If your dog or cat is tagging along for your family’s road trip, here are some pointers to keep your pet in line:

• Update your pet’s I.D. tag before you leave. Consider investing in a waterproof tag that allows you to insert a sheet of paper, which will let you include more extensive contact information. Write down your home, cell, and hotel number, as well as any phone numbers of friends or family members who will be available to tend to your lost pet.
• Pack your pet’s favourite toy, basket, towel or blanket so it feels comfortable during the car ride, as well as in any new surroundings,
• Accidents happen. When nature calls your pet feline, pack a pre-filled litter box; in fact, some stores sell pre-filled disposable litter boxes. And when it comes to your pet pooch, take it on short walks for more than twice a day – and don’t forget your pooper-scooper.
• We all know that a dog or cat should not be left in a hot car by itself. Also remember to never leave the animal unaccompanied in your hotel room. If you’re not in the room, the pet can might make too much noise or even scratch or chew furniture – not a very pleasant vacation memory!

 

 

Resources

Yvonne Jeffery, “Choosing Rover’s home away from home,” Calgary Herald, March 18, 2006.

Joe Lee Faust, “Take care in picking boarding kennel,” The Ottawa Citizen, November 2, 1989.

Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, PHD and Susan Hubble Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, Holtzbrinck Publishers, 2005.

Monique Roy Sole, “When you’re going away on vacation…and you need a pet-sitter,” The Ottawa Citizen, July 30, 1988.

Gina Spadafori and Paul D. Pion, DVM, DACVIM, Cats for Dummies: 2nd Edition, Hungry Minds, Inc., 2000.