If you are planning a vacation, you'll likely be looking for boarding options for your dog. Our Suwanee vets are here to talk about how you can prepare your dog and what shots they need.
What Shots Do Dogs Need to be Boarded
If your dog needs to be boarded for any reason, you'll have to do a bit of planning prior to bringing them to the facility. This includes making sure their vaccination requirements are met. All reputable boarding facilities require your dog to be vaccinated against Bordetella, but many will require that your dog is up-to-date on all shots including rabies and DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus).
Every kennel and boarding facility is different so it's important that once you've selected the right facility for your pup, you speak to the staff about their specific requirements. If you would like to board your dog at Heart of Suwanee Animal Hospital we require your dog to be up-to-date with all vaccinations and free of fleas and ticks.
How long after vaccination can my dog be boarded?
Thankfully, the Bordetella vaccine will work for up to 6 months, and rabies and DHPP are both effective for 1-3 years depending on the type given, which means that if you keep your dog's shots up-to-date, you shouldn't have many worries.
If you happen to miss a booster shot at some point in your dog's life, don't worry! The important thing to know is to have your dog vaccinated at least 2 weeks before their stay at the boarding facility.
What happens if I don't get my dog vaccinated before boarding?
Most boarding facilities require proof of up-to-date vaccinations before they allow you to leave your dog. If you cannot provide that information, sometimes veterinary facilities that offers boarding can give your dog their shots on the day of drop off but this is not the ideal solution. Vaccinations aren't fully effective right away and take some time to build your dog's immunity. This means that your dog will not be fully protected from the contagious diseases that they can acquire when in proximity to other dogs.
If your dog is not vaccinated, they will likely be turned away from the boarding facility, but if they are not, you run the risk of exposing your dog to many contagious and often deadly diseases that require expensive veterinary intervention to cure.
Other Ways To Prepare For Dog Boarding
The following are helpful tips from our Suwanee vets regarding what you can do to make your experience boarding your dog as easy as possible.
Understand the boarding facility's rules and policies.
Before boarding your dog at a new facility be sure to speak to staff about their rules, regulations, and what they offer. For example, what type of food do they feed the dogs, what items can you bring from home (toys, blankets, etc.), what are their emergency procedures, or if they can administer your dog's medicine?
Asking about the policies, procedures, and services the facilities offer can help you determine the best home away from home for your dog.
Check out the facility well ahead of time.
Kennels that house a lot of pets can get messy quickly. While a boarding facility can't be kept fully sterile, a high-quality boarding facility will still look and smell clean. So, before booking your dog's stay visit the kennel and make sure it's kept organized and clean.
Keep your own emotions in check when you drop off your dog.
Dogs are experts at reading the emotions of their pet parents. Your pooch will be able to tell if you are stressed, overcompensating, or saying goodbye. Your dog's mood and behavior will reflect this, making it harder for them to relax once you leave. To make the separation easier keep things simple, short, and positive.
Your dog may exhibit different behaviors when they first come home.
It's important to understand that during the first few days after your dog comes home from the kennel, they may behave a little differently. Your pup might be clingy, lethargic, or have diarrhea. They may even eat or drink more than usual. However, this is a normal response to your dog's excitement for coming home. But, if things don't settle down after a few days, contact your vet.
Trust your gut when looking for the best place to board your dog.
We strongly believe that your gut instinct is an important factor when it comes to choosing a kennel for your dog. If the facility makes you uncomfortable, look for something else. If they have a policy you don't like, look around at different kennels until you find one that you can trust completely.
Boarding Your Dog at Heart of Suwanee Animal Hospital
We offer high-quality overnight boarding services for dogs and cats in Suwanee.
We can provide your animal companion with a welcoming and comfortable home away from home while you are away. Some of the services we offer include medical boarding, kennels that meet the unique needs of individual dogs and cats, playtime with staff, daily walks, and more!
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition or boarding needs, please make an appointment with your vet.