Leaving Your pet for the Weekend

A Part Of The Family

Your pet is more than just a furry creature that eats up as much as your teenaged son. They’re a close part of the family. For some, they’re basically their children. As such, when you have to leave the house for an extended period, leaving them behind can be a cause of great concern and worry. It doesn’t have to be that way. Instead of hiring a dog sitter or asking a friend to stop by the house every now and then, you should consider taking your dog to a boarding home. The staff at these pet boarding homes are usually trained to deal with medical emergencies that may arise which can’t be duplicated with a sitter or friend unless they happen to also be veterinarians. They’re also supervised for most, if not all, of the day. This is different than a sitter or friend who may only check on your pet for a few hours, and then be on their way.

Choosing the right boarding home can be difficult, however. After all, you want to make sure that they are getting daily pet care. Following these suggestions may be able to help you find the boarding home that’s perfect for your pet.

1. Know Your Pet’s Needs

The first aspect you need to consider is the needs of your pet. Do they have medications they need to take? Are they prone to illnesses or injuries? If that’s the case, you may want to find boarding homes that are situated close to your veterinarian’s office in the event that something happens. While most boarding homes have a trained member of staff that can take care of injuries, for your own peace of mind, it may be best to find one that is close to the vet office just in case.

2. Read Reviews

Either through word-of-mouth from your friends who are also pet owners or by looking online, you should research the boarding home you’re thinking of taking your pet to and lodging there. These reviews can give you insight as to the conditions of the home. Cleanliness may be important to you, so if you see a review stating that the home was dirty or not that sanitary, it may be one you can cross off your list. You may want to also consider the friendliness of the staff. Pets like to play, and you don’t want a place that’ll keep them cooped up in a pen all day.

3. Prepare Your Pet

After you’ve selected your kennel, you’ll want to make sure your pet is prepared. This can ease the process. Bring along a toy or blanket that they spend a lot of time with at home to make them more comfortable in the kennel or dog boarding facility. Also, make sure that you give the staff detailed instructions on how to give medication to your pet. By working together, you can be sure your pet is happy.