You will at some point require to leave your dog behind while you vacation or travel for work-related courses. It is not easy to leave your dog, but you need to be sure that it is in good hands and has a comfortable place away from home while you travel. You can ask your neighbors or veterinary officer for recommendations if you are considering boarding your pet. Also, ensure that you call several boarding facilities to learn about them before you commit your dog to the facility. Dog owners ought to ask an array of questions before making boarding reservations for their dogs.
Where will the dog stay?
You need to know the condition of the temporary living space for your dog. While you visit the dog boarding in Northcote, ensure that you take a tour around the place to be sure that the environment is odor-free, clean, neat, and organized. You also need to consider the runs or cages. Besides, boarding creates anxiety for dogs that are not accustomed to cages. Also, older dogs with arthritis require more space to move around.
What will the dog eat?
Most dogs have difficulties adjusting to a boarding facility even if they are accustomed to it. Besides, a change of diet adds stress on the body of the dog, which can result in vomiting or diarrhea. You can prevent the stress by bringing your dog its regular food, or you can ask if the boarding facility offers a special diet and if they charge an extra fee for that service. Remember to leave special instructions at the facility regarding what your dog can or cannot eat.
How often will the dog be walked?
Boarding facilities have different policies, with some of them letting dogs out twice a day for a few minutes, and others once a day. Some dogs are used to going out twice a day for 30 minutes; thus, ensure that you talk to the facility because it might experience difficulties adjusting to the new routine. Also, ask about the kind of exercises the dogs will be involved in while at the facility.
What happens if a dog gets sick or injured?
Boarding facilities should monitor the habits of dogs daily. Most facilities maintain a record or defecation, water intake, appetite, and urination. Also, an excellent facility should monitor abnormal activities, such as diarrhea and vomiting and other changes in their physical behavior. You need to find out if the facility is part of a veterinary hospital or if it calls a vet in case a dog gets injured or falls sick even at night or during weekends. Also, inform the facility about any health conditions or special needs of your dog.
