If you have to go on a vacation soon but you do not have someone to watch your fur baby, you must plan and organize everything. If you live in Plano, Texas, or nearby areas, you can choose Pets Are Inn for our cage-free pet boarding facilities. In this blog post, we will be sharing tips to consider when boarding your pet for the first time. If you want to know more information, make sure to continue scrolling below to find out. 

Research

Before you decide to bring your pet to a pet boarding facility, you must do your research first. This will allow you to find the right pet boarding facility that will take care of your pet and keep them safe while you go on a vacation. A pet boarding facility is an entirely different environment for your pet, so you must do your part and search for the right one so they can be as comfortable as much as possible. 

You can call each prospective pet boarding facility and ask questions about their services. You can also ask about the itinerary or activities that your pet will experience during their stay. If you have an active dog, you want them to offer play time or allow them to have walks.

This will help them use up their energy so they can have a relaxing stay. You must ask the facility if pet daycare is included in the price of boarding or if it will be an additional cost so you won’t have any surprises when you see the bill when you return from your trip.

Visit the facility

Before you decide to bring your pet to the pet boarding facility, you must visit and tour the facility first and meet with the staff. You must discuss your pet’s specific needs and if they require special care so you can be sure that the attendants in the facility will be able to accommodate them accordingly.

For example, if you have a pet with extreme sound sensitivity and need extra care during thunderstorms, you must let the staff know and ask about their plan of care when dealing with this type of situation. 

Prepare your pet

You must check the pet boarding facility regarding their vaccination requirements. Before bringing your beloved fur baby to the pet facility, you must ensure they have their complete and updated vaccinations. Most pet facilities require rabies vaccine, DHPP or Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, and Parainfluenza vaccine, and also Bordetella vaccine.

If your pet needs a vaccine, consult your vet to make arrangements before leaving them in a pet boarding facility. Some pet boarding facilities also require proof of heartworm prevention and flea and tick prevention, so you must bring them in case they need to check your pet’s documents. 

Discuss your pet’s special needs with the staff

When you drop off your fur baby in the pet facility, you must inform them about important matters such as the following:

Food

If your pet is on a special diet, make sure to bring enough food, you can add extra until you come back from your vacation. You must discuss with the attendant if your pet is in the middle of a transition in food or has digestive problems. You must let them know if your pet has regular bowel movements or experiences irregular stool or diarrhea.

If your pet has food allergies or food sensitivities, the staff will know if they need to avoid giving treats to your pet. If your pet loves treats, you can bring them some so the staff can give them treats to reward their good behavior during their stay at the pet boarding facility. 

Medicine

You must list the medications and vitamins your pets take daily to inform the staff in charge when you drop your fur baby off before going on a vacation. You must provide clear instructions and bottles with clear labels. You can also use a pill organizer to ensure your pet gets its medicine on time. Make sure to pack extra in case your flight gets delayed or in case of an emergency. 

If your pet needs special care and medications, you must inform the staff. For example, some dogs are insulin-dependent that come to pet boarding facilities. The attendants discuss with the fur parents what emergency measures they must do if something might happen during their stay. The medication must be available at all times, and you must remember to pack extra to be prepared for special circumstances.

Special items

When packing essential items for your pet, make sure to bring their favorite blanket, bed, calming collar, chew toy, or stuffed toy so they can be comfortable in the pet boarding facility. Make sure to bring something that will remind them of your home, such as a towel or shirt that smells like you to provide them comfort during their stay. 

Behavior

If your pet has behavior quirks, you must let the staff know about it so they can watch your pet during social time. For example, your pet is food protective, nervous, anxious, etc. They will ensure to keep your pet safe and avoid uncomfortable situations. 

Say your goodbyes quickly and happily

When dropping your pet off, do not be obvious that you are sad and anxious about leaving them in a pet boarding facility. You must make sure to keep a happy and relaxed demeanor. Do not do a prolonged goodbye as it can make them feel your anxiety and change in behavior, making them feel anxious and nervous about what’s happening.

You do not want to make them feel separation anxiety which can trigger destructive behaviors and make their first-ever pet boarding a stressful and traumatic experience. Remember to show excitement when you hand them over to the staff so they can associate being dropped off with the feeling of happiness and excitement. 

Cage-Free Environment for Pets in Plano, Texas provided by Pets Are Inn

Are you planning to go on a long-awaited trip? If you are a fur parent based in Plano, Texas, you can check out Pets Are Inn. We are offering cage-free boarding services for your beloved pets. We can provide care to your pets while you are away. If you have any inquiries or questions, please contact us by calling us at 972-424-8400 or email to petsareinnplano@sbcglobal.net. Our address is 2828 W Parker Rd Ste 203d Plano TX 75075. Choose Pets Are Inn for safe and secure pet boarding needs.