What To Think About Before Checking Your Pet In At A Boarding Shelter
Posted on: 17 September 2015
Share
Before boarding your dog or cat it's important to make sure that certain health concerns are addressed. This will help ensure that they're in the same health when you pick them back up as they were when you checked your pet in. Not only will you be protecting your own pet against infection, illness or other health issues, in some cases you'll also be protecting the other animals at the boarding shelter too.
Non-Core Vaccinations
If you're a responsible pet owner you've already ensured that your dog or cat is up to date on their core vaccines. Less commonly applied non-core vaccines are essential if you're going to be boarding your animal with other animals for a long period. Bordetella, also known as kennel cough, can be particularly problematic for younger animals, while feline leukemia can be transmitted through simple interactions.
Most non-core vaccines carry a six month to one year effectiveness period, but it's important that you make sure the vaccine in question is fully applied. For example, canine influenza requires two doses before it becomes reliable defense. Check with your vet (like those at Marcum Road Animal Hospital) if you have questions about various vaccination options. You should also speak with the boarding shelter and inquire if there are any vaccines you'll need to have applied prior to check-in.
Special Dietary Considerations
In the event of special dietary needs due to health problems, age or your own desires, make sure that you communicate clearly with the boarding shelter. While not all shelters will require that you purchase your unique food and provide an appropriate supply of food, doing so will ensure that you don't have to worry that the wrong food is being given to your pet. If cost is a concern, and the special diet you've chosen is not health related, spend a few weeks weaning your animal off the more expensive food and onto the shelter's standard food.
If a special diet is necessary to address health issues it's a good idea to speak with a boarding shelter's veterinarian. If there is not a veterinary staff on site, you'll want to avoid boarding an elderly or health-compromised pet with the facility. Instead, reach out to your regular veterinarian's office and make arrangements with them to ensure that your pet's health will be looked after while you're gone.
Boarding your pet shouldn't be something you do on a whim, or at a moment's notice, unless you've used a particular shelter in the past. Instead, plan ahead and start communicating with the boarding shelter long before you mean to leave your animal with them. This will help ensure that your pet gets the care it needs, and you'll have the peace of mind to focus on something besides your cat or dog.