Preparing your Kitty for Holiday Boarding

How to Prepare for Holiday Pet Boarding
from the Daily Inter Lake, Saturday November 12, 2011

(MS) – The holiday season is a time when many family and friends come together.  If you’ll be going home for the holidays, that trip may or may not include the family pet.

For people with a pet at home, it might not always be possible to bring the pet along during holiday excursions.  Therefore, arrangements must be made for the animal while you will be away.  From pet sitters to boarding facilities, pet parents must decide where to turn.

According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans spend roughly $3.5 billion on grooming and boarding their pets every year.  Boarding is common during holiday travel.

When preparing a pet for boarding, there are suggestions for making things go smoothly.  The process begins even before your brining your pet to the boarder.

Finding a Boarder

Most animals are like extended members of the family.  Therefore, pet parents want to find a facility that will take good care of the animal and ensure its comfort and safety.  World-of-mouth recommendations are one of the best ways to get a feel for a particular boarder if you haven’t’ used one before.

When visiting facilities, look for certain things, including cleanliness, the number of employees available, the appearance of the animals, the areas where the pets are allowed to go and things of this nature.

Ask certain questions, including how pets are housed and exercised.  Find out if you are allowed to bring in food for the pet and his or her own treats to minimize stomach discomfort.  Investigate how a health issue is handled, including whether you veterinarian will be called or if the facility has a relationship with another vet.

Steer clear of facilities that do not offer satisfactory answers to all of your questions or seems opposed to your ideas and concerns.

Preparing your Pet

Many boarding facilities require that pets be vaccinated prior to their stays.  The boarder may have specific immunizations that are required.  Be sure to update vaccinations a month prior to boarding your animal.  Sometimes the vaccination can produce minor symptoms of the actual illness, which the boarder may mistake as a sick dog.

There are also other things that you can do to prep a dog or cat prior to its stay.  Get a vet checkup just to ensure your pet’s health, especially if the animal is old and has chronic conditions.  At this point, double-check medications and get extra supplies for the boarder.

Bathe the pet and keep up with flea/tick prevention so the animal will be protected when in close proximity o other animals.  Inspect the dog or cat to ensure that the pet does not have an infestation.

Checking in

Bring your pet to the boarder early and pack along some of the animal’s comfort toys or belongings, including a piece of clothing that has your scent.   Clearly mark bags of food and any items you bring so they will be identified for your dog or cat.

Leave contact information with the boarder and review the information on how long the stay will be.  Inquire as to what times are best to phone in and check up on your pet.  Some high tech boarding facilities may have cameras in the building that you can access via the Internet to see the goings-on while away.

Leaving your pet may pluck at your heartstrings, so it’s best not to linger, otherwise you could add to your anxiety and also the dog or cat’s level of nervousness. 

If you do your homework researching facilities, changes are you have found a boarder that will provide adequate care for your pet and you’ll return to find a pet that is healthy and happy to see you.

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Great Cat Treat Tip

Pet Care Tip

Reserve a percentage of your cat's daily food allowance to use for treats.  This insures that your cat stays within his recommended calorie intake, while still making him feel rewarded for good behavior. 
Food rewards don't have to be big -- a little goes a long way.

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Keep Your Kitty Healthy and Happy

Eight Ways to Keep a Cat Healthy and Happy
Credit: Saturday, September 24, 2011, Daily Interlake Newspaper

(MS) – Most people view their pets as an extension of the family. Therefore, pet parents are interested in the best ways to ensure their dogs, cats, birds, or small mammals are healthy and happy.

It doesn’t take much to keep a pet healthy, but these steps are essential for the well-being of the animal. An individual who is not able to provide the general care for a pet – whether financially or emotionally – should reconsider if it is the right time to bring a pet into the household. A pet that is well cared for can live many years and provide great rewards.

1. Choose healthy foods.   Many commercially prepared foods are full of fillers and sugars in stead of fresh meats and grains. Although it may cost a bit more, pet food that is formulated with good quality meat and grains with minimal preservatives, artificial flavorings or colorings can keep a pet in better form. Diet can affect health in a number of ways including energy levels and coat appearance. So good health begins with good food.

2. Keep fresh water handy.   All animals should be given fresh water that is routinely changed. Bacteria and viruses can multiply in water that is left sitting around. Plus, there could be other contaminants in unfiltered water that is left stagnant. If a person wouldn’t drink the water, it should not be offered to a pet.

3. Exercise your pet.   All animals need exercise to be healthy. Exercise helps to keep weight in check, banish boredom and ensure that the systems of the body all get pushed to their potential. A dog that does not get to exercise may become destructive in the house when the owners are not home.

4. Consult with a veterinarian.   Routine health checkups should be part of keeping a pet healthy. Not only does the vet give pets annual vaccinations that can prevent common diseases, but also the vet will examine the animal to diagnose or catch illnesses early. If a pet is not acting normally, consult your vet.

5. Groom the pet regularly.   Some animals groom themselves. Others can use the help of nail clipping, bathing and fur cutting to keep in top form. Matted fur can pull at the skin and cause irritation. Dogs and cats may lick or bite at a wound and cause more trouble. In general, a clean pet is a happy pet.

6. Know pet dangers around the house.   Pet proof the home just as one would baby-proof it. Keep chemical products locked up so they cannot be consumed. Certain products smell sweet and inviting to unsuspecting pets, but consumption can be deadly. Even certain house plants can be deadly when eaten.

7. Avoid “people” food.   Certain fruits and vegetables can be supplemented in a pet’s diet (consult with a veterinarian). However, on the whole, limit the amount of human food that pets eat. It may not provide the nutritional value the animal needs and can contribute to obesity. Foods like raisins, grapes, onions and macadamia nuts can be toxic to dogs and cats and should be avoided.

8. Show interest in the pet.   A pet needs a certain level of interaction to be content. Discipline, affection and exercise with a pet parent are key components of animal health.

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