What To Do With Your Pet When You Go On Vacation

Pets bring so much to our lives. They truly become part of the family, so it’s a bit traumatic when we have to travel and leave them behind. While many pets travel well, there may be times in your life when you just can’t bring them along. Consider investigating care options before you need them. It’s so much nicer to already have a plan, than to feel like you didn’t have enough time to make the right choice for your beloved pet. Here are some things to consider when kenneling a dog, but many apply to other pets as well:

Space

Be sure to ask whether the area where your dog is kenneled is temperature controlled. You’ll want to know how much interaction they will have with other dogs and ask what precautions are taken if a dog becomes ill. Ask about the simple things like bedding. Many offer raised cots for their guests. If your dog has a preferred type of bedding, ask if you are allowed to bring anything from home. Be sure to check on the number of potty breaks offered and where those will occur. Ask for a tour of the facility so that you can get a feel for what your dog’s time away from home will be like. 

Play Time

Depending on how socialized your dog is, it can be very important to understand the type of play time the dogs are offered. Find out whether there is one-on-one playtime with a facility employee, or whether playtimes are always ‘group’ play. In group play situations, ask how they handle dogs that become aggressive. 

Meals

Ask about the type of food provided, and how frequently your pet will be fed. In many instances, you have input as to the number of meals your dog receives and the timing of those meals. 

Special Needs Pets

If you have an older dog, or one with other special needs, look for a facility that allows you to provide your own food. You may also want to ask about extra potty breaks and the administration of medicine. Look for a facility that allows you to request one-on-one only playtimes, if necessary. You’ll need to be your pet’s advocate to make sure that the care is delivered in a way that keeps your pup free from additional stress. 

There are a wide variety of kenneling options out there. You’ll find you can get luxury dog boarding, or just the basics. Paw Print Inn is a good example of a facility that offers pet owners a broad spectrum of choices, designed to put both owner and pet at ease. If you’ve done your research in advance, you’ll feel so much more comfortable knowing that you’re leaving your beloved pet in capable hands. 

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