When you need to spend time away from home, you'll need to sort out care for your pup. The common choice is a kennel or boarding. Here, our Bedford vets share some of the dog boarding vaccination requirements and what shots your dog should have before their visit.
What shots do dogs need to be boarded?
Dog boarding is a great option if you need to go away, although it's important to consider the policies, such as vaccines, required for boarding dogs. 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 Fine Animal Hospital we require your dog to be up-to-date with all vaccinations and free of fleas and ticks.
How long before boarding should my dog be vaccinated?
If your dog is in need of their kennel cough or rabies vaccine then you may wonder how long before boarding they should get it. Thankfully, the Bordetella vaccine is good for 6 months, and rabies and DHPP are both effective for one to three 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've missed one of your dog's boost shots, don't fret. Just make sure that they were vaccinated at least 2 weeks before their stay.
Can my dog be boarded if they have not been vaccinated?
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 who offer boarding can give your dog their shots on the day of drop off but this is not ideal. Vaccinations take time to work their magic and become effective so your dog will not be fully protected from the contagious diseases that can run rampant when dogs are nearby.
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.
How to Prepare Your Dog For Boarding
The following are helpful tips from our Bedford vets regarding what you can do to make your experience boarding your dog as easy as possible.
What are the policies at the kennel or dog boarding facility?
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 they can administer your dog's medicine? When scheduled for boarding what shots are needed by all dogs?
Asking about the policies, procedures, and services the facilities offer can help you determine the best home away from home for your dog.
Have you taken a tour of the boarding facility?
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.
How should you handle drop-off?
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.
What can you expect after your dog is home again?
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.
What if you don't feel like the boarding facility is right for your dog?
We believe that trusting your instincts is a great first step when choosing a kennel for your dog. If you don't feel comfortable with a place, look for another. 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 Fine Animal Hospital
We offer high-quality overnight dog and cat boarding in Bedford.
We are here to help your pet feel right at home while you are away. We offer complete general boarding services for all of our patients, along with medical boarding services for pets with conditions that standard boarding centers may not be equipped to accommodate.
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.