Three Things You Should Do To Keep Your Dog Healthy When Using Boarding Services
Posted on: 17 May 2016
Dog boarding facilities provide a valuable service to dog owners and their best friends. The right boarding facility will give you peace of mind when you have to be away and entrust your pooch to the care of others. A great boarding facility will also help socialize your dog and give him peace of mind when you have to be away from him. If you need to board your dog, whether it be for a couple of days or a longer period of time, the following three tips will help you keep your dog happy and safe while you are separated.
Choose a Boarding Facility
Choosing a boarding facility for your dog is just as important as choosing a daycare facility for your children. Don't just settle on the first facility you find. Likewise, you shouldn't choose a facility because it is part of a chain or solely for the fact that it is an independent facility owned by a local individual. Do your research. Look for reviews online, speak to friends and family members that have dogs, and get solid referrals. Once you have the names of a few kennels that are highly recommended, check them out. Go for a tour and find out what services they provide for your dog while he is there. Some facilities provide a kennel and a couple of potty breaks a day, while others provide supervised daycare and socialization time with other dogs of similar size and abilities. Choose the right facility for your dog's needs and temperament.
Vaccinate
Any reputable boarding facility will require proof of immunizations before they will accept your dog as a client. However, it is still your responsibility to ensure your dog's vaccinations are current. Yearly rabies vaccinations are definitely a must-have. Dogs who go to boarding or doggie daycare should have twice-yearly vaccinations against bordetella (kennel cough). Distemper and parvovirus are other vaccinations that are must-haves for your dog. You can also vaccinate him against certain types of canine influenza. Your veterinarian is the best source of information on which vaccinations are must-haves for your dog based upon your pooch's lifestyle and the area in which you live.
Canine Influenza Concerns
Canine influenza is becoming a huge problem throughout the United States. The H3N2 strain of the virus came to the country from Asia several years ago, and in 2016 a huge number of dogs in the greater Chicago area have become infected. Since that time, the virus has been passed from dogs to cats. While the mortality rate is low (less than 10% of infected dogs die from H3N2), you should still consider vaccinating your dog against this strain of the flu. You should also check with your boarding facility to make sure no patrons of the facility have contracted canine influenza before you board your dog.
For more information, contact a local company like Crossroads Pet Resort.
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