Benefits of Dog Boarding

Although you love your pets, you can’t always bring them with you when you travel. If you’ll be going on a business trip or vacation, dog boarding provides a good solution for pet care while you’re away. Boarding facilities offer a number of important benefits for dog owners who need to travel without their pets.

Safe and Secure Environment

As long as you find a high-quality boarding facility for your dogs, you can count on them being cared for in a safe and secure environment. Look for facilities that have secure fencing around outdoor play areas, so your dogs won’t run off and get lost or injured. The inside of the place should be clean and have fresh water available for your dogs.

Skilled and Caring Staff

Dog boarding facilities that offer exceptional care have staff members who know how to handle dogs of all sizes and temperaments. These staff members have the right training and skills, as well as good rapport with dogs, to ensure that your pets will be happy and safe. This can provide you with peace of mind when your dogs are under someone else’s care.

Plenty of Playtime

Some boarding facilities offer playtime sessions for dogs, which gives them a great way to stay busy, burn off energy and meet other pups. If your dogs stay at one of these facilities, you can count on them having plenty of playtime while you’re gone. This will keep them stimulated and happy while also preventing boredom or anxiety.

Luxury Amenities

Some dog boarding places also offer luxury amenities, such as spa services. Check into the amenities offered at the facility you’re planning on having your dogs stay at. You might find that the facility offers special shampoos, manicures and similar services. Your dogs might also be able to get one-on-one playtime or snuggle time at night, as well as gourmet treats or meals at certain times.

Chicago Boarding Requirements for Dogs

When you plan on boarding your dog, it’s important to make sure you can meet all of the requirements for it. Before making your arrangements, learn more about Chicago boarding requirements so you can be prepared.

State and City Law Requirements

State and city laws require you to show proof that your dog has all of the following:

• Current vaccines for rabies, bordetella (kennel cough), distemper and parvovirus
• Fecal exam that shows no proof of parasites within the past year
• Microchip number
• Valid dog license for the city of Chicago if you live there

You’ll need to provide paperwork with all of this information to prove that you’ve met these requirements. Keep in mind that these legal requirements help protect your dog during boarding. Vaccine requirements reduce the risk of having your dog become ill at a boarding facility, while the fecal exam helps prevent your dog from getting a parasitic infestation from other dogs. Microchip numbers offer a convenient way to make sure that dogs who are lost can get back to their owners, while the license requirement ensures that your dog has the necessary dog license that all Chicago dogs must have.

Boarding Facility Requirements

Each facility has its own Chicago boarding requirements, so you’ll need to check these before making arrangements for your dog. These requirements generally cover spaying and neutering, as well as behavior. For example, your dog might need to be a certain age in order to board and you might have to show proof of spaying or neutering. Some facilities also have dogs undergo a temperament assessment before they’re allowed to board. This helps prevent aggressive dogs or dogs with other behavioral problems from potentially harming other dogs.

Make sure you give yourself time to gather any paperwork or proof you’ll need in order to meet legal and boarding facility requirements before arranging your dog’s stay. This helps make the entire process easier and less stressful for you and prevents last minute problems.

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.