3 Important Benefits of Dog Boarding and Daycare

Whether you need a place for your dog to stay during the day when you’re at work, or someone to care for your pet while you’re traveling, dog boarding and daycare offer great options. Dog boarding provides your pet with a comfortable place to stay and interact with other dogs when you’re away. Dog daycare offers a safe environment for your dog to play with other pups for a few hours a day or several hours per day. Both of these options provide important benefits for dogs.

Close Supervision

When your dog stays overnight at a high quality boarding facility or joins a dog daycare group, you can rest assured that trained staff are keeping an eye on your pet. Boarding facilities that offer play groups and around-the-clock supervision provide close supervision, so you don’t have to worry that no one is making sure your dog is safe while you’re gone. Dog daycare facilities also have trained staff members on hand to ensure that all dogs behave while playing with others.

Physical Activity

Dog boarding and daycare provide dogs with ample opportunity to stay physically active during the day. Just keep in mind that not all boarding facilities offer play groups. When you choose a facility that does offer this, your dog can spend several hours per day interacting with other dogs, which helps burn off excess energy. Getting physical activity is an important part of making sure that dogs are in good condition and lowering their risk of obesity, which is associated with diabetes and other health conditions.

Socialization

Dogs who stay at boarding facilities with play groups and dogs who participate in daycare have a chance to socialize with other dogs. This is an effective way for dogs to work on their social skills while also having fun with other pups. These environments also give dogs a chance to get used to being in different surroundings, which can help them become calmer and less stressed when they’re in new places or situations or when they encounter other dogs or people that they aren’t familiar with.

3 Tips for Choosing Affordable Pet Grooming

While you can perform basic pet grooming at home, such as giving baths and brushing, bringing your dog to a professional groomer can be a good idea. Professional groomers can help keep your pet’s skin, coat, nails and ears in good condition with their services. They can also handle tasks that you might not be comfortable with, such as trimming your dog’s fur a certain way or clipping their nails. If you’re worried about how much these services will cost, keep in mind that affordable pet grooming is available. Use the following tips to find a reputable pet groomer with prices that fit your budget.

Don’t Automatically Choose the Lowest Price

Going with the lowest price can be tempting, but it’s important to keep quality in mind. The professional pet groomer you choose should have the skills and experience required for providing high quality services. This helps ensure that your dog is treated well during grooming and also lowers the risk of injuries or other problems that might occur if you go to a groomer with little experience or poor skills, such as nail injuries from improper trimming. Choose a pet groomer who offers rates that are in your price range while also having a reputation for providing quality services, even if this means paying more than the lowest price around.

Estimate Costs

The costs of affordable pet grooming vary widely based on your location, your dog’s size and your dog’s coat. Keep in mind that more difficult hair cuts, such as those for dogs with thick coats, typically cost more. You’ll also be paying more for additional services, such as shampooing, ear cleaning or nail trimming.

Check Out the Facility

When you find a professional pet groomer who fits your budget, there are certain factors to consider before booking an appointment. Make sure the grooming facility is well lit and clean. It should also have staff members who are friendly and knowledgeable about pet grooming. In addition, the grooming facility you choose should take steps to minimize the risk of injury, such as monitoring dogs during blow drying to avoid overheating.

Practical Tips on Preparing for Pet Boarding

When you hire a pet boarding service to watch and care for your dog while you’re away, it’s important to make sure that your pet is prepared. In addition to meeting the boarding facility’s requirements, you’ll also need to take steps to keep your pet from getting lost as a precaution. Whether you’ve used this type of service before or not, these practical tips can help ensure that your dog is ready.

Get a Copy of Your Dog’s Medical Records

Make sure that your dog is up-to-date on all shots that the boarding facility requires, which typically includes rabies, distemper, bordetella and parvovirus. You’ll have to show proof that your dog is current on required vaccines. This requirement helps lower the risk of dogs getting each other sick while boarding. You might also have to show proof that a fecal exam tested negative for parasites within the last year.

Update Your Dog’s License

If your dog’s license is expiring soon, make sure you update it before you plan on boarding your pet. Dog boarding facilities require dogs to have a valid license. You’ll need to show the facility that your dog’s license is up-to-date, so bring proof with you, such as a license tag.

Check Microchip Information

While many pet boarding facilities take steps to stop dogs from being able to run off, such as having sturdy fencing, it’s still important to check your pet’s microchip information beforehand. Make sure the contact information linked to your pet's microchip is up-to-date, and bring a copy of the microchip number to give staff members at the boarding facility.

Get a Sturdy Collar

If your dog’s collar is looking a bit worn, get a new one before using a pet boarding service. Look for a collar that is sturdy and won’t slip off your dog’s neck. Attach your dog’s license tag and any other ID tags you have to it. These tags can make it easier for dogs to be returned to their owners or to the boarding facility they’re staying at while their owners are away.