Thanks to dog boarding facilities and doggy daycares pet owners are able to enjoy an escape every now and then – whether it’s a weekend getaway or a 10-day retreat. One of the most exciting aspects about preparing for a vacation is packing your bags. However, it’s also one of the most important, as failure to pack necessary items can leave you unequipped for certain situations. Hence, when packing for an overnight stay, you must be very thorough and organized. The same is true for packing your dog’s bag for their boarding stay.
Whether your dog is a new or seasoned boarder, you want to make sure that they have everything they need to feel comfortable and stress-free while you are away. At most facilities, dog boarding costs include bedding, treats, and other supplies for your dog during their stay. However, pet owners are welcome, and often encouraged, to bring along a few additional items to help your dog enjoy the boarding experience as much as possible. Here are 7 items to pack in your pet’s doggy bag for their dog boarding stay.
1. FOOD
Most pet owners stick with food that they know their dog enjoys. If you have ever tried to introduce a different type of brand or food to your dog, you know that this can cause a negative change in appetite and even upset stomach. Since your dog may already feel uneasy in the unfamiliar environment of the dog daycare, you want to keep the other aspects of his life as normal as possible. Provide your pet sitter with enough food to last the entire duration of your dog’s stay it’s always nice to have two extra bags of food in cases of an emergency. Use plastic baggies to package pre-measured meals, and label them if you have more than one dog eating a different kind of food. This will ensure that your pet (pets) is getting exactly the right amount of food for each meal. If there is any food leftover, the boarding facility will give it back to you when you pick up.
2. MEDICINE & SUPPLEMENTS
Many dogs must take certain medication and/or supplements on a daily basis, and your dog boarding facility will be happy to administer these to them as needed. Include the appropriate number of doses that your dog will need to take in your absence, as well as written instructions with details such as dosage amount and schedule. If the medicine and/or supplements must be taken with food please do not put in there prepackaged food.
Sometimes being in an unfamiliar environment and being around other dogs can trigger an existing condition that only comes out when nerves or scared please include emergency medications that you think may be necessary just in case. In addition to any other medication your pets may take.
3. FAVORITE TOYS
Y Bark Alone is well equipped with all sorts of toys for your pet to play with. However, almost every dog has their favorites toy that they just can’t live without. Please only bring 1 or 2 of these.
4. A REMINDER OF HOME
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and this is especially true for pets and their owners. No matter how much fun you, and your pet are having, you on your vacation and your dog with his new friends, you will surely miss each others’ company. To keep your dog feeling close to you even in your absence, include something with your scent. This can be a blanket or t-shirt. This is a wonderful way to help your dog feel comfortable, calm, and stress-free.
5. AT LEAST 1 LEASH
Most doggie daycares require sending your dog with 1 leash and 1 collar they must be on leash when arriving to the facility.
6. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY DOGGY DAYCARE
If you have not submitted all of the necessary paperwork beforehand, be sure that all required documents, and forms are ready to present on drop off day. This could include everything from medical records, vaccination charts, contracts, and rule acknowledgment forms. Contact the daycare facility if you have any questions about a specific form or document.
7. OTHER SPECIAL ITEMS
As your dog’s owner, you know more about them than anyone else on the planet. Does your dog have a special food or water bowl that they love to eat and drink out of? Does he/she have a KONG or certain treats that make their tail wag? Think of items that will help your dog feel happy and comfortable and throw them into your dog’s overnight bag.
PET OWNERS AND St.LOUIS PET BOARDING: PARTNERS IN YOUR DOG’S COMFORT
As a dog boarding facility, our goal is to make your dog feel as happy, and calm as possible throughout the duration of their stay. By thoroughly packing your dog’s bag, you better equip us to do so.
