Dogs are pack animals and creatures of habit, and they tend to do best when they have a consistent daily routine. Just like us, everyone has their individual personalities, and some are much more adaptable and laid-back than others, making them more responsive to changes in their daily lives. Boarding your dogs can be stressful for them, simply because it represents a different environment and time. Many will adjust beautifully after just a few hours or days, while others may experience stress-related difficulties. The following are some normal reactions that can occur with your pets during boarding, along with some tips to make it easier for them.
Stress in dogs can manifest itself in a number of ways. For one, they tend to pant more, which can make them thirstier. Don’t be surprised if your canine companion drinks a lot of water right after returning from a boarding stay. You should not take it as an indication that the shipping facility did not provide water; just understand that they need to replenish the fluids they lost through panting (which is a dog’s way of sweating).
Another common manifestation of stress is vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea, in particular, is frequently seen in boarding pets. It can be caused by a number of factors, including a change in food from what they are used to eating at home to the brand offered at that particular boarding facility. Many pet resorts and kennels will allow you to bring your pet(s) food from home, and may recommend this just to minimize the risk of diarrhea from switching food. If your furry child has any kind of food sensitivities, be sure to mention it to the staff when you make a reservation or check-in, and ask if you can bring your pet’s food or if the property offers any kind of soft diet for sensitive stomachs . Another major cause of diarrhea is related to your pet’s stress reaction to being away from home, and little can be done to prevent this other than working with the staff to try to make Fido’s stay as relaxing as possible. possible.
Another common stress-related problem in pet boarding can be a lack of appetite. It is quite common for dogs not to eat well for the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours after arrival. In particular, if you already have a picky eater, your pet may eat even less than they normally eat at home. Good pet sitting facilities will try a variety of tricks to try to encourage him to eat, and should contact you for advice on how to get Fido to eat if he hasn’t within the first day or two.
Your pet may come home from a boarding stay and sleep more than usual for several days. As much as good pet boarding facilities try to minimize concussion, any stay at a dog hotel will be more disruptive to a pet’s sleep cycle than her normal routine. He’s busier, different pets may get excited and talk at different times, and cleaning and potty schedules may not match what he or she is used to at home. If your pet isn’t back to normal within a couple of days, a vet visit may be necessary just to make sure nothing else is going on.
Just like in humans, stress in dogs can also weaken the immune system and make them more susceptible to a variety of diseases. Canine cough, in particular, is a fairly common respiratory ailment that can result from a boarding stay. Although good quality facilities will require a vaccine called bordetella to minimize the risk of contracting canine cough, it is an airborne disease much like the human cold or flu and is contagious before pets show actual symptoms. Vaccination may not prevent all strains of the disease, although it should help minimize severity. However, different strains, along with reduced immunity due to stress, can cause your pet to show signs of coughing and runny nose within a week to ten days of returning from a boarding stay. All a good boarding facility can do is maintain strict cleaning and disinfection protocols, promptly isolate and seek veterinary care for any pet that shows symptoms during boarding, and refuse to board any pet that shows up with signs of contagious disease. . Staff cannot detect disease in asymptomatic dogs, nor can they isolate airborne germs (which can come from blocks or miles away!). Just like kids at school or daycare, as long as you have multiple dogs around, the risk of infection increases.
So what steps can you take to minimize your dog’s stress when you visit your local pet hotel? First, make sure you feel comfortable with the facility and staff, and that they seem competent and caring. If possible (and particularly if your dog doesn’t stay often), you can arrange a trial day or two before dropping your pet off for an extended stay. Many facilities offer dayboarding services, where you can drop off your pet(s) in the morning and pick them up at night. This helps them adjust to the staff and accommodations, and short stays help them understand that you will come back for them. Ask if you can bring their favorite toys, blankets, or bedding from home to make them more comfortable. If your pet enjoys the company of other dogs and is sociable, you may want to explore doggy daycare opportunities at your particular facility. Dogs that regularly play games at pet hotels seem to associate the facilities with fun and happy times, and they adjust much more easily to stays at the accommodations. Plus, scheduling activities (whether it’s doggy daycare, one-on-one playtime with staff, or whatever else is offered at that particular facility) helps keep them busy and less prone to stress-related illness. Discuss the different housing options (standard kennel enclosures, kennels, private rooms to deluxe suites) with facility staff to help you choose accommodations that best suit your pet’s temperament.
A high-quality pet resort will work with you and your pets to try to make your stay as stress-free as possible. They should contact you if there are any health concerns or prolonged stress-related difficulties during your best friend(s)’s hotel stay and should work with you (and a veterinarian if necessary) to seek medical treatment if indicated. Many dogs will learn to love the staff and facilities if they visit often enough, and they may become excited, rather than anxious, when they find out where they are going because they know they are in for a good time.
