When it comes to boarding your pet, there are lots of different things that you will need to think about.

The thought of being away from her is stressful enough, but if you can plan and prepare properly, you can eliminate much of the anxiety that pet boarding can cause. Instead, you can relax knowing that your furbaby is in safe, responsible, and experienced hands.

To help you get ready for boarding your pet, here is our definitive checklist for pet boarding in Hendersonville, TN.

Visit the Facility to Ensure You Are Happy with It before Boarding Your Pet

Even if a boarding facility has the greatest website in the world, there is nothing like visiting in person to get a real feel for whether it is the right place to care for your pet while you are apart. You can see the facilities first hand, meet the staff and see where your furbaby will be eating, sleeping, and playing. Most owners get a gut feeling about a facility right from the start so this will help you make a decision as to the best place for your pet to be.

Check that Your Pet Meets the Entry Requirements

Unfortunately, not every pet can go into boarding. Each facility has its own list of entry requirements that must be met before your pet is granted permission to stay. These are put in place for the health, safety, and happiness of all animals in their care, as well as their staff. Such requirements could include:

• Proof of up to date core vaccinations and any others that may be required (such as kennel cough)
• Your pet must be clear of internal and external parasites including worms, mites, fleas, and ticks
• Your pet must be potty trained
• Your pet must be neutered
• Your pet must be microchipped
• Your pet must not have a record of having previously harmed another animal or human
• Your pet must be socialized and happy to walk with another dog

Some facilities do not allow certain types or breeds of animals, so again you will need to check that your pet is one which they allow to board.

Discuss Your Pet's Medication with the Boarding Team

If your pet is on any regular medication that she will need to be given while you are away, you will need to check that the facility that you choose is happy to do this on your behalf. They will not be able to supply the medication themselves and so you will need to provide enough for the duration of her stay (and perhaps one or two extra days) along with specific information regarding the administration and dose of the drugs. Also, provide any instructions or information on side effects that may be listed on or inside the box.

Prepare Your Paperwork

As you might expect, there is quite a lot of form filling required when you place your pet in boarding. Since she cannot speak for herself, it is up to you to give the boarding facility all of the information that they need to keep her safe and happy. This will range from medical history to details about how well she interacts with other animals. Don't scrimp on the details, the more information you provide the better the boarding facility you choose will be able to look after her.

Pack Items from Home

Not all boarding facilities allow items from home, but most allow at least one thing that could bring comfort to Bella while she is in their care. This could include her bedding, her favorite toy, or a blanket or shirt that smells like you. Inquire with your chosen facility exactly what you are allowed to provide.

Don't Forget Her Food!

Your pet should continue to eat her usual brand of food while she is in boarding. Swapping to something else could cause her to become stressed and anxious and could stop her eating at all. Even if she does give in to her hunger, the new food could trigger an upset stomach. Therefore, if your chosen boarding facility cannot provide the food you would usually feed her, make sure that they are happy for you to bring some from home!

Is your pet boarding facility preparation checklist complete? If you would like more help or advice, our experienced pet boarding team would be delighted to help you. Alternatively, contact our animal clinic in Hendersonville, TN today at (615) 824-0580 to schedule a tour of our very own pet boarding facility.