Your four-legged friend on vacation: everything you need to know about pet boarding kennels

In part of the Netherlands, summer vacation is already upon us this week and many families will soon be heading out again. Unfortunately, your dog or cat can't always go out with you. Then it's nice if you can bring your beloved four-legged friend to a babysitting address with peace of mind. An example of such a shelter is a boarding kennel. But what should you consider when looking for a suitable boarding kennel? Read our tips below to make sure your dog or cat is well prepared for the vacations.

Start your search in time

No matter which boarding house you choose, make sure you start your search for a nice place for your four-legged friend in time. Vacations are the busiest periods for boarding kennels, so they are often quickly fully booked. Some boarding houses even require you to make reservations several months in advance for a spot during the summer vacations. In addition, finding a suitable boarding house also takes a lot of time. So make sure you start preparing in time to avoid disappointment.

How to choose a good boarding house?

Of course, you know your pet best, so only you know exactly what your four-legged friend needs to feel comfortable in a strange environment. One animal feels more comfortable when he or she is alone in a room, while another animal prefers to be surrounded by peers. Still, there are some things to ask yourself anyway, regardless of your dog or cat's specific preferences. For example, is there always access to fresh drinking water? Are you allowed to bring your own food? How much attention will my pet get? For example, are they played with a lot? Are they walked, if so, how often? Does my dog or cat have to share the enclosure with other animals? Do they have both indoor and outdoor space? Another important issue is hygiene. What do the enclosures look like and how often are they cleaned? In addition, it is wise to check the procedures in case of illness of your pet. It is also important that a boarding house can show proof of professionalism.

Would you like to give your four-legged friend his or her own food while staying at the boarding facility and is the bag almost empty? Check out our range of Dog Food or Cat Food here.

Vaccinations

Dogs and cats staying in boarding houses must meet certain conditions in terms of vaccinations. Often these are at least the standard vaccinations and the animals are required to be de-wormed and de-flead. Depending on the boarding house, your dog or cat may need additional vaccinations. Be sure to inform in advance which vaccination requirements your boarding house has.

Note: Some boarding houses require vaccinations at least 10 to 14 days before the stay. Please check with the boarding house if your pet will be vaccinated shortly before its stay so that you can take this into account.

Visits before booking

Have you researched using the above points and found some boarding houses that meet your requirements? Then it is wise to schedule a visit to these guesthouses in advance. This way you can get an impression of the atmosphere in a boarding house and experience how the staff interacts with the animals. Based on this, you can determine whether a boarding house feels right or not. After all, it is important that both owner and animal go to and return from the boarding with a happy feeling!

Do you have doubts after visiting a certain boarding house or does the atmosphere not feel quite right? Then always look further.

Prepare your pet

Once you have found a suitable boarding house that has room for your four-legged friend during your vacation, ask if your pet can come for a one-night trial period. This way your dog or cat can get acquainted with the new environment and the staff. See how your pet behaves when you pick him or her up. Realize that animals need some time to get used to a strange environment, but a happy and relaxed dog or cat says enough. If your pet comes back stressed, it might be better to choose another boarding house. When everything has gone well and the real vacation period is actually underway, you can give your pet a toy, basket or blanket with the scent of home. This will make your dog or cat feel more familiar at his or her vacation destination.

Keep in mind that staying in a boarding house is an exciting time for your four-legged friend anyway. Being in a strange environment without an owner, strange people around you and often the company of other strange animals; all situations that are different from normal and that your pet is often not used to. It is therefore important to take the preparation and search for a vacation home for your pet seriously. Whatever boarding house it will be; make sure it suits both yourself and your dog or cat. When you know that your best friend is in good hands, you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

We wish everyone, owners and pets alike, a very happy vacation season!

P.s. Want to spoil your dog with a tasty snack when he comes home? Check out our snack range here!

Many dogs already enjoy Riverwood every day. Would you like your dog to enjoy our delicious food and are you curious which variety would suit your dog best? Then answer a few questions here and order an inexpensive sample pack right away.