What You Should Know About Dog Boarding Over the Holidays

If you’ll be away for the holidays and have dogs, putting them in a boarding facility helps you make sure they’re cared for. However, dog boarding over the holidays requires a bit more planning than at other times throughout the year. Keep the following tips in mind, so you can have a stress-free experience preparing for holiday boarding.

Book Early

Boarding facilities tend to fill up quickly during the holiday season in Chicago. To make sure that you’re able to book the facility you want for your dogs, make your arrangements as early as possible. This helps prevent you from having to scramble at the last minute to find a good dog boarding facility, and you won’t feel as though you need to put your dogs in just any facility that still has room. It’s important to make sure that your dogs are boarding in a high-quality place that will keep them safe and happy while you’re gone.

Meet the Requirements

You’ll need to provide proof that your dogs are up-to-date on rabies vaccines and certain other vaccinations in order to board them. If your dogs need current vaccines, make sure you get them ahead of time, so you’ll be able to show this proof to the boarding facility. Your dogs will also need to have valid licenses if you live in Chicago, and they’ll need microchip numbers. They’ll also need fecal exams showing that they haven’t had parasites in the past year. Keep in mind that dog boarding facilities also have their own rules and requirements. Check on these, and gather any proof you need before making reservations.

Ask Questions

You can make your dog boarding over the holidays go more smoothly during the holidays by asking the facility any questions you have. If your dogs eat certain food, ask if you’re allowed to bring their own food. If your dogs have special needs, make sure the facility has staff available to handle these. Also, leave your contact information with the boarding facility, so they’ll be able to reach you in case of an emergency.

Important Tips on Preventing Dog Flu

Canine influenza virus, more commonly known as dog flu, can cause unpleasant symptoms that make dogs miserable. In rare cases, dogs can develop life-threatening complications from this contagious illness. Keep the following tips on preventing dog flu in mind to reduce your dog’s risk of becoming ill.

Avoid Other Dogs

Your dog can easily get canine influenza from other dogs when they bark, cough or sneeze. Touching contaminated surfaces that infected dogs have been in contact with also puts your dog at risk. To reduce the risk of dog flu, keep your dog away from other dogs if there’s been a flu outbreak in your area. Keep in mind that your dog’s risk of getting sick is higher in dog daycare and boarding facilities and other places that a lot of dogs go to.

Vaccinate Your Dog

One of the most effective ways of preventing dog flu is having your dog vaccinated against it. Just remember that your dog is at risk of getting sick when you go to the vet’s office if there’s an outbreak in your area. If you have more than one dog or if your dog will be going to a boarding kennel or similar place that has a lot of dogs, being vaccinated might be worth this risk.

Wash Your Hands

You can do your part in preventing dog flu by washing your hands after you’ve been petting or touching other dogs. Since you might not know if those dogs are infected, it’s important to take this precaution to lower your dog’s risk of becoming ill. You should also change your clothes to reduce this risk even more.

Clean Surfaces

Canine influenza lives on surfaces for a couple of days, which puts your dog at risk of getting sick. You can lower the risk of dog flu by disinfecting hard surfaces throughout your home, especially ones that your dog uses, such as dog toys and food dishes.

If your dog ends up showing signs of dog flu, even when you’ve taken precautions, make sure you see your vet. This lowers the risk of complications and ensures proper treatment.

What You Should Know About Flu Season for Dogs

Flu season for humans begins in fall and ends in spring, but dogs are having their own flu season this summer. Flu season for dogs has brought outbreaks in several states, including Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Texas. Learn more about this illness, so you can keep your dog safe especially when boarding or sending your dog to daycare!

The Spread of Dog Flu

Dog flu started in Chicago, then spread to other states in the Midwest and Southeast. Experts state that the current strain that’s causing so many problems is more contagious than earlier strains that were around in 2004. Where did the flu come from? Some experts blame well-meaning rescuers who are bringing potentially infected dogs in from Asia, which appears to be the cause of dog flu cases that hit the Los Angeles area in March. Although dog flu can’t affect humans, it’s highly contagious and can be life-threatening for dogs. In fact, there have been two fatalities in North Carolina so far.

High-Risk Environments

During flu season for dogs, it’s important for dog owners to avoid having their dog in certain environments, especially if their dogs haven’t been vaccinated or if they have weakened immune systems due to medical conditions. High-risk places include dog parks, kennels and even the vet’s office, since several dogs are in these areas on a regular basis. Dogs spread flu germs when they sneeze, cough and bark, making it easier for other dogs to become infected.

Dog Flu Vaccinations

Dog owners can reduce the risk of having their dogs get the flu by having them vaccinated. These vaccinations are roughly 60 to 80 percent successful at preventing dog flu. If dogs do get sick from this virus, their symptoms are usually much milder. If you’re in an area that has an outbreak, especially if your dog will be in any high-risk environments, ask your vet about dog flu vaccinations. Keep in mind that your vet might warn you about the risk of your dog getting sick by being at the vet’s office. If possible, wait outdoors or in your car rather than the waiting room at the office.

Dog Flu Symptoms to Watch For

The flu doesn’t just affect people. Dogs can also get what’s known as the canine influenza virus. Although it’s usually not serious, some dogs can get very ill when they get this virus. Learn more about what symptoms to watch for, so you can make sure your pup gets prompt veterinary care.

What Is the Canine Influenza Virus?

This is a contagious virus that affects the respiratory system. The U.S. has two strains of it, which are H3N8 and H3N2. Dogs spread this illness when they cough, sneeze or bark, since these actions cause germs to enter the air. Dogs can also get this virus by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces and objects. Dogs are more likely to get dog flu in crowded places, such as boarding kennels. Dogs can be contagious from 10 to 26 days, depending on which strain they have.

Dog Flu Symptoms

Your dog can be infected without showing any signs of symptoms of this illness. When dog flu symptoms do appear, they are typically the following:

• Dry or phlegmy cough
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Fever
• Lack of energy
• Trouble breathing

When to Seek Veterinary Care

Dog flu symptoms can be mild ones that don’t cause your dog too much trouble, but it’s also possible for dog flu to cause serious symptoms that need immediate care. If your dog is lethargic, has severe breathing problems or runs a high fever, seek emergency care at the nearest animal hospital. Dogs can develop pneumonia when they have dog flu, which can be fatal in some cases. If your dog has mild symptoms, you should still make an appointment with your vet for treatment.

Keep in mind that treatment for dog flu usually involves making sure your dog is comfortable and has plenty of fluids while the virus runs its course. Your dog might also need antibiotics if any secondary infections have developed. Your vet will let you know what kinds of treatment are best for your dog, depending on the severity of flu symptoms and your dog’s age.

What to Look for in a Pet Grooming Shop

Pet grooming tasks, such as brushing your dog’s coat and nail clipping, can be done at home, but there are benefits to using professional grooming services. Professional groomers can make sure your dog’s coat, skin and nails look their best, and you can usually choose from a wide range of shampoos and other products for them to use. If you’re uncomfortable clipping your dog’s nails or doing other grooming tasks, professional pet groomers can handle these for you. When it comes to choosing a pet grooming shop, keep the following tips in mind.

Check the Pet Grooming Facility

Take a tour of the pet grooming place to make sure that it’s clean and has plenty of lighting. This helps reduce the risk of injuries and lowers your dog’s risk of getting sick from germs. The shop should also have the right kinds of equipment for grooming dogs safely and properly, including different types of brushes and nail clippers. The staff members should also be willing to answer any questions you have while you walk through the place.

Look for Experienced Staff

Staff members should have the right training and experience needed to provide your dog with quality grooming services. This includes knowing which supplies to use, how to use them properly, and being able to handle dogs of all temperaments. Staff members should also keep a close eye on dogs that are in blow-drying units to reduce the risk of overheating. Don’t hesitate to bring up any concerns you have about grooming services.

Check Available Services

Make sure the services you want are offered, and go over the available options for these services. Most groomers offer bathing, brushing, haircuts, nail clipping and ear care. Some also offer dental care to help dogs’ teeth stay clean and healthy. You might find a pet grooming shop that offers several options, such as oatmeal baths to soothe sensitive skin, medicated baths for skin problems, or baths with whitening shampoo for dogs with white coats. Some places also offer special nail services, such as nail polish.

Tips for Grooming Your Dog

Keeping dogs well-groomed is an important part of ensuring that they’re happy and healthy. This includes caring for their skin, coat, nails, teeth and ears. Keep the following tips in mind when it’s time for grooming your dog.

Baths

Giving dogs a bath helps keep their skin and coat clean. Dogs should get bathed every few months, but they’ll need them more often if they tend to roll around in dirt or play outside a lot. However, you should avoid giving dogs baths too frequently, such as every week, which can dry out their skin. Make sure you use a shampoo that’s designed for dogs, since human shampoo can lead to skin irritation.

Brushing

Dogs need regular brushing to remove dead hair, prevent mats and keep their coat looking shiny. Brushing helps distribute natural oils through dogs’ coats. The type of brush you’ll need and how often you should brush the dog, depends on the kind of coat they have. Dogs with longer or thicker coats, and dogs with coats that tangle easily usually need to be brushed more often. When brushing dogs, look for any signs of skin irritation or fleas.

Nail Clipping

Dogs need to have their nails clipped regularly to prevent them from getting too long. Having longer nails makes it harder for dogs to walk comfortably. Longer nails can also get caught, increasing the risk of having them torn off. You should trim dogs’ nails when they reach the floor. When clipping their nails, make sure you don’t cut into the quick, which causes bleeding.

Ear Care

Dogs can get ear infections or have parasites that cause irritation inside their ears. When grooming your dog, check their ears often for redness, foul odors or discharge, which can indicate an infection that needs medical care.

Dental Care

Dogs need regular brushing to keep their teeth in good condition and prevent gum disease and tooth decay. You should brush your dog’s teeth a few times a week with a toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs. Don’t use human toothpaste, which can upset their stomach.

Choosing the Right Pet Grooming Supplies

When grooming pets at home, it’s important to make sure you have the right kinds of supplies. Use the following information when you’re choosing pet grooming supplies for your dog.

Dog Brushes

Your dog’s coat determines the kind of brush you’ll need to get:

• Smooth, short coat: For this type of coat, choose a bristle brush that has short, soft or medium bristles.
• Wiry, short coat: If your dog has this kind of coat, look for a slicker brush. You can also use a bristle brush that has firm bristles.
• Thin coat: For dogs with a thin coat, look for a wire-pin brush. You can also use a slicker brush to get rid of mats.
• Flowing coat: If your dog has a medium or long coat with flowing hair, choose a wire-pin brush. You can also use a bristle brush that has soft or medium bristles. For removing mats, use a slicker brush.
• Double coat: Choose a wire-pin brush for this type of coat. You can also use a bristle brush that has firm bristles. To remove mats or tangles, use a slicker brush.

Nail Clippers

When choosing pet grooming supplies, you’ll need one of the following nail clippers:

• Scissor clippers: These work best for bigger dogs with thicker nails, since they apply more pressure when trimming nails.
• Guillotine clippers: These clippers, which go over each nail and slice the tip off, are suitable for small or medium dogs.
• Grinder tool: This tool can be used for bigger dogs with thick nails or dogs who don’t like nail clippers.

Dental Care

When it comes to dental care, choose toothbrushes and toothpaste that are specifically made for dogs. Toothpaste made for people isn’t good for dogs, since it can irritate their stomach. Remember to replace your dog's toothbrush when it starts to wear out.

Bathing Supplies

For bathing dogs, you’ll need shampoo that’s safe to use on dogs. Don’t use shampoo made for people, since these products can bother their skin. You can also choose dog shampoo with oatmeal for sensitive skin or shampoo that helps brighten white coats.