Is it OK to board your dog?

It is a common question for many pet owners: is it okay to board your dog? Dog boarding is a service that accommodates pet owners who are unable to care for their pets while they are away. It is an important decision to make as a pet owner and it should be done with careful consideration. It is important to make sure that the boarding facility is a safe and secure place for your pet. The decision to board your pet should also take into consideration their well-being, both physically and emotionally. There are many factors to consider when deciding if your pet should be boarded, from the type of boarding facility, to the environmental and social factors within the facility. It is essential to understand the importance of considering your pet’s needs and making sure that the boarding facility is the right fit for them. In this post, we will look into the considerations that should be taken when deciding if dog boarding is the right option for your pet.

Clubs Offering:

Finding a safe and comfortable boarding option for your dog takes careful research.

Visit the kennel or pet sitter with your dog first to see how they interact with them.

Safety is key, so look for secure, clean, chemical-free, and temperature-controlled spaces.

It’s crucial to find a situation where you and your dog feel at ease when looking for a place to board your dog. There are more options than ever available today for entrusting the care of your dog to others. There are dog sitters who will board your dog in your home or theirs in addition to boarding kennels.

Asking your veterinarian, groomer, dog-owning friends, or neighbors for recommendations on boarding kennels or dog sitters is a good place to start. Finding the ideal “home away from home” boarding experience for your dog requires knowing the right questions to ask and what to look for.

Contact the kennel or dog sitter well in advance of your trip to schedule a visit for you and your dog.

Do due diligence. If you’re looking at a commercial dog boarding kennel, find out if they are certified or members of a professional organization. If you’re interviewing an individual, find out how long the person has been dog sitting and how many repeat customers they’ve had. Also, check a few references.

Find out about immunization requirements. Many kennels will require a Bordetella shot, along with rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Are dogs also screened for fleas and ticks?

Keep an eye out for clean, secure, and sanitary conditions. There should be adequate, securely-fenced exercise areas and sleeping areas with comfortable non-slip surfaces. Are you welcome to visit all areas of the kennel or home that the dog will have access to? Are they secure and free of harmful chemicals?

Meet the caretakers and observe how they interact with your dog. How many dogs will they care for at one time? How much exercise do the dogs get, and how often are they taken out to eliminate? What type of animal care education and training does the provider have?

Take stock of provisions made for the comfort of boarders. This includes fresh drinking water, temperature control, ventilation, and shelter.

Find out what happens if your dog has any healthcare needs or emergencies requiring medication and/or veterinary services. Determine if the pet care provider is certified in pet first-aid.

Evaluate the staffing situation. Are there proper staff on the premises 24-hours-a-day? Is there an evacuation plan in case of an emergency?

Observe the handling of the dogs. Is any interaction allowed with other dogs? How well is this supervised?

How long can you board a dog?

Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM and veterinary expert for Pumpkin Pet Insurance, says generally, most dogs can tolerate two to four weeks of boarding. “It really depends on the individual dog. Some dogs start to react negatively after two weeks, others can stay for months and not be fazed,” says Dr. Wooten. In most cases, anything beyond four weeks is considered too long—and many kennels have their own limits.

After only a few days of boarding, dogs with a history of separation anxiety or antisocial behavior may exhibit negative behaviors. In these circumstances, or if you require dog boarding for more than four weeks, it’s important to weigh your options. Dr. Wooten advises hiring a pet sitter who can stay at your home or leaving your dog with a dependable friend or relative, provided that person is aware of the risks involved.

Any dog with serious medical issues or illnesses may be eligible for boarding services from a vet clinic, according to Dr. Linda Simon, MVB and consulting veterinarian at FiveBarks. “Dogs with chronic diseases that require monitoring (such as diabetes) should consider using a boarding facility offered by a veterinary clinic. Some vet nurses will offer pet-sitting services for these pets.”

A two-week kennel stay followed by a two-week pet sitting assignment mixes things up and enables your dog to spend at least some time at home.

Kevin Ryan, of SuperbDog, is an accredited dog trainer in California with decades of experience under his belt. He was the outlier in our research who said there’s really no limit to how long you can board your dog, as long as conditions and treatment are good. “Dogs live in the moment, and their memories work much differently than ours,” says Ryan. “Once they adapt to a new routine, they are quite content. It is changing their routine that stresses them.”

Basically, Ryan said, dogs don’t pine for you while they’re in a kennel. They might be happy to see you when you pick them up, but that doesn’t mean they’ve been staring longingly out the window since you left.

Ryan does observe it’s not a good idea to board a dog at a new facility for an extended period of time. He says the dog may find the change to be overwhelming. Before boarding a dog for more than a few nights, all the professionals we talked to advise dog owners to give it a try (or two!). This helps your dog adjust to a new environment and serves as a reminder that you will be back. Do a second overnight trial if you can to see how your dog responds to the place. Ryan explains that if the dog is happy to return, it will give you confidence that they had a good time and will make you feel less guilty about dropping them off.

Will My Dog Be Okay in Boarding Kennels?

Let’s examine the advantages and drawbacks of boarding kennels in order to assess a response to this query.

Of course, your dog won’t have to experience the strain of a car or plane ride.

Car sickness is a real problem in dogs and for some, it’s just not possible to go through several hours of car rides. Even if you plan on boarding your dog, you might have to travel there by car.

In an airplane, your dog can either sit with you in the cabin (only very small dogs) or he will have to be put in the cargo. Being caged in the cold and loud cargo is definitely not a pleasant experience and should be avoided.

The staff at a boarding kennel can keep a close eye on your dog’s health at all times and respond quickly in case of an emergency.

Your dog would have to spend the majority of the day alone since a pet sitter would only check in for a few hours each day.

On the other hand, living close to other dogs may put you at risk for diseases that spread quickly and aren’t all harmless.

Even though you are saving your dog from the anxiety of traveling, you shouldn’t undervalue the amount of suffering he goes through in a kennel.

However, if you make the necessary preparations—about which I will speak more below—you won’t need to stress out too much about boarding your dog.

A week of dog boarding typically costs between $150 and $200.

The price of boarding can range from $30 to $80 for a full day, depending on where you live and the size of your dog.

If you are considering staying for a number of days, you might be given a discount.

In addition to caring for each dog individually and keeping a much smaller number of dogs in their facility, high-end boarding kennels are frequently better equipped to deal with behavioral problems.

FAQ

Do dogs get sad when being boarded?

Although studies have shown that dogs miss their owners while in kennels, you shouldn’t let this deter you. While you are away from your dog, they will undoubtedly miss you, but this does not mean that they are unhappy. Your dog will be entertained all day if you choose the right kennels.

What’s the longest you should board a dog?

Dr. Generally speaking, most dogs can tolerate two to four weeks of boarding, according to Sarah Wooten, DVM, a veterinary expert for Pumpkin Pet Insurance. “It really depends on the individual dog. Some dogs begin to react negatively after two weeks, while others can remain for months without becoming alarmed, according to Dr.

How stressful is boarding for dogs?

Even one night in a boarding kennel for your dog can be stressful for them, and longer stays can make them even more anxious. Although not all dogs experience kennel stress, for many of them, it is a very real and unpleasant experience that can be very stressful for owners as well.

Is it better to board your dog or leave at home?

While boarding in kennels has some benefits, for the majority of dogs, home-staying is frequently the best option for pet care. All dogs find comfort in their familiar surroundings, which may lessen the symptoms of separation anxiety.