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Understanding the kennel environment |
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It is important to understand the possible effects of stress on a dog and to do
everything possible to minimize stress both prior to and immediately after boarding.
Sometimes temporary behavior changes can occur as a result of unfamiliar surroundings.
While boarding, your best friend tears up the bed that has been slept in for years.
Or “Killer,” that rowdy scourge of the neighborhood, turns into a little lamb. Eating
habits change under stress, and a dog assimilates food differently. Some will eat
like canaries at home and like vultures at a boarding facility. They may put on
a few pounds. Others can lose weight though eating well or lose weight by not eating
enough. Life in a boarding facility can be very exciting, and some dogs lose weight
because they run the weight off as they charge around barking at other dogs and
having a wonderful time. These dogs often leave the facility exhausted but happy,
and sleep a lot the first couple of days they are home. All of the preparation by
the pet owner merely points out that successful boarding depends not only upon the
pet care facility, but also upon how well the owner prepares the dog for the experience. |
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What are the advantages of boarding your dog? |
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The vast majority of dogs adapts well and enjoys their stay at the kennel. For some
dogs—puppies which have not had their immunizations, extremely old dogs with chronic
illnesses, very aggressive dogs, dogs that require medication more than twice a
day—you might consider boarding with your veterinarian, asking your pet care provider
if they offer in-home care, or using an ABKA pet sitter. Keep in mind, however,
that pet sitting in your home, even when it is performed by a trained ABKA professional,
does not offer the same level of supervision that boarding does. Furthermore, when
you are not at home with your dog, his or her behavior might differ significantly
from the normal behavior. For instance your dog might try to “escape” to find you,
become destructive to your home, or become aggressive toward the pet sitter. You
should definitely consider boarding your dog rather than taking him or her on vacation
with you. Many motels will not accept dogs, and those that do charge extra and become
very upset if your dog annoys their other guests. Pets can become ill as a result
of traveling because of the frequent changes in water. Many dogs suffer heat prostration
while locked in the car when owners go sightseeing, eating or shopping. The national
parks have an abundance of lost dogs that somehow got away from their owners and
couldn’t be found before the family had to leave for home. Another serious risk
is exposure to various parasites and diseases such as heartworm, ticks, hookworms,
fleas, and mange. |
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A working partnership |
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When you have selected your boarding facility, keep in mind that successful boarding
is the result of the partnership between you and the manager, working together for
the best interest of your dog. As a responsible pet owner there are a few things
you must attend to before bringing your dog in to board. Make certain all immunizations
are current. The manager will be happy to discuss the immunization requirements
with you. Your pet should be free of internal and external parasites and not have
been exposed to any contagious diseases. Do not feed your dog for at least four
hours prior to boarding to minimize the possibility of stomach upset. Boarding is
a great alternative, but separation from the family or being in strange surroundings
can produce stress in your dog. And stress can result in lowered resistance to disease
and sometimes even temporary changes in behavior. Be sure to inform the boarding
facility of any special idiosyncrasies or medical problems your dog may have (history
of epilepsy or fear of thunder, etc.) that may assist in keeping your dog healthy
and happy. Dogs should be prepared psychologically for boarding. It’s best, of course,
to begin with a puppy as soon as the immunization program is complete. (Puppies
usually learn very quickly to enjoy boarding.) Some boarding facilities offer daycare
services enabling you to leave your dog for a few hours at a time. This is an excellent
way to introduce your dog to boarding. After just a few visits your dog accepts
a pet care facility as a normal way of life. The psychological preparation of a
dog for boarding— and also for helping to develop a healthy personality— includes
getting your dog used to new people and experiences (socialization). This is probably
most easily accomplished by taking him or her through obedience classes, spending
a few days at a dog daycare, and occasionally boarding him or her. Naturally, a
dog who is relaxed about boarding is more likely to board well. (A pet owner sometimes
needs reminding that it is not beneficial to lament over the dog in the front office
before leaving, nor should the suitcases come out the day before the trip—both of
these things cause the dog to be unnecessarily upset.) |
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Stress is a factor |
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Any animal in strange surroundings suffers from stress. This means that the normal
immune process is affected, as well as eating and digestive habits. Your ABKA member
facility will do everything possible to minimize the effects of stress on your cat.
For this reason, it is a good procedure for them to allow your cat to adjust to
the boarding environment at his or her own rate. However, you can help to minimize
the effects of stress by trying to make the boarding experience as pleasant as possible
for your cat. Remember that the more often your cat boards, the more adjusted your
cat will be to the boarding environment, and the easier the boarding process becomes
for your cat. |
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Welcoming your cat home |
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After you pick up your cat from the boarding facility, let it "tell" you about its
stay. Lavish attention on your cat so he or she knows it was missed. If your cat
is an indoor/outdoor cat, be sure to keep him or her inside for a day or two before
allowing it outside again. Just as your cat had to adjust to the boarding facility,
so will your cat need to adjust to being home again. Allow your cat the time to
find that 'at home' feeling again. |
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Facts to consider for cat boarding |
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Keep in mind that cats react much differently in a strange environment than dogs
do. Cats are instinctively solitary animals. They do not run in packs like dogs.
Therefore, when confronted with strange surroundings, a cat’s normal response is
to withdraw physically and mentally into a protected, solitary state. For this reason,
cats enjoy the “protected” feeling they get from being caged while in the boarding
facility. While it is true that most dogs want to run around and get acquainted,
your cat will probably want to sit in the corner of the cage and stare, until it
feels comfortable in the new environment. Human contact does not normally accelerate
this period of acclimatizing. It has to take place at the cat’s own speed. A common
reaction of cat owners to the idea of caging is, “My cat loves to run around.” Perhaps
this is true at home, but while in unfamiliar surroundings, the cage gives the best
feeling of safety. “But what about exercise?” Here again, the difference between
a cat and a dog must be understood. Dogs need space in which to get their necessary
exercise, whereas cats exercise isometrically. This means that if a cat has enough
room to stretch, he or she can exercise every muscle in the body. When your cat
is in strange surroundings, around strange cats and strange smells, your cat will
undoubtedly much prefer “safety” to “space.” |
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Should my cat be groomed? |
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Longhaired cats need combing occasionally to prevent matted fur. Many cats also
need bathing at times, if they are not capable of achieving the neatness that is
usually attributed to cats. |
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Why should I have my dog groomed? |
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Most pet owners confuse “grooming” with “clipping.” Clipping (which is commonly
done to poodles, spaniels, terriers, as well as to mixed breed dogs), is only one
procedure in the grooming process. Grooming also includes combing and brushing,
cutting nails, plucking hair from ears, and parasite control. (Many groomers feel
that teeth cleanings are best left to veterinarians, and in some states, groomers
are not permitted to clean pets’ teeth). Although the most obvious result of these
procedures is an improved appearance, the major benefits to your pet are increased
comfort and social acceptability, and perhaps even improved health. |
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Do all dogs need grooming? |
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All dogs need an occasional bath, but it is more important to keep your dog combed
and brushed, especially if your dog has long hair. Matted hair can easily cause
skin problems and unnecessary discomfort for your pet. If neglected for too long,
it might eventually necessitate a lengthy grooming session, which could be uncomfortable
for your pet and expensive for you. Regular brushing, on the other hand, improves
your dog’s skin tone and circulation, and makes the coat healthier and more attractive. |
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