A dog boarding facility can be extremely convenient for pet owners who are unable to care for their pets for a short period of time due to vacations, emergencies, or other occasions that would require them to leave their pets in the care of another person. While neighbors, family members, and pet sitters are occasionally a viable option, many pet owners prefer to use dog boarding facilities when leaving their pets behind. Before you board your dog, however, there are several things you’ll want to consider:
1. What have others said about the facility?
Nowadays, with the right marketing, nearly any business can present itself as reputable and trustworthy. Therefore, word of mouth referrals have never before been so valuable, and it’s important to ask around to see what real people have said about the kennel in which you’re considering boarding your pet. Ask friends, family members, groomers, and especially veterinarians for advice on selecting a reliable local boarding facility.
2. How often will your dog be walked?
Exercise is important for pets, but not all kennels provide the same amount. In some boarding facilities, most of your dog’s time will be spent in a crate, and, if your pet is crate trained and accustomed to such treatment, then there should be little issue with this. If, however, your dog is not used to spending time confined to a small space, you’ll probably want to select a kennel where dogs are walked and exercised more frequently.
3. What will your dog eat?
At some boarding facilities, special diets are accommodated regularly and with little hassle. At others, however, an extra fee is charged to ensure that your pet receives special food or medication. Therefore, if your pet is fed a low-fat or other special needs type of food or if they must receive medication for a certain medical condition, it’s important to ask about what types of fees are assessed in order to have such requirement fulfilled.
4. Will your dog come in contact with other dogs?
The level of interaction with other people’s pets differs from facility to facility, so you should make it a point to determine what your proposed kennel’s policies are regarding such interaction. If your pet is not particularly friendly towards other dogs, consider choosing a kennel at which he will not be given the opportunity to make trouble. If, however, your dog is very friendly with other pets, choosing a facility that offers group play sessions could be a great way to help you dog receive some extra physical, mental, and social stimulation while you’re away.
Although it may be difficult to leave your beloved dog behind while you’re away, in many cases, this is truly the smartest choice. Remember that price should never be the sole deciding factor and that services vary widely depending on the kennel, meaning you’ll need to know how to ask the right questions. Boarding facilities are a fantastic way to ensure that your pet is well-taken-care-of in your absence, but before deciding on a facility, it is important to do your homework.
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