When you head out of town and need to board your pet, it can be easy to pack just as much for your furry pal as you do for yourself. Instead, focus on the essentials to ensure your pet has a comfortable stay. Whether your pet is scheduled for a single night or a longer stay, use the following checklist from our Pet Resort at Stone Ridge team to pack their necessities.

  • Food — Bring plenty of your pet’s food. A sudden switch in diets can cause gastrointestinal upset, and when paired with the excitement of staying in a new place, your furry pal can develop a serious case of stress diarrhea. Plus, your pet is more likely to eat their own food in an unfamiliar place, which can be critical for diabetic pets or those on prescription diets.
  • Treats — Nothing goes further toward making friends than offering a tasty treat. Send a few of your pet’s favorite treats along so our team can spend time building a strong bond. Check to see what sort of long-lasting chews are safe for your pet to have while boarding with us, and let our team know if any treats or chews are off limits.
  • A favorite toy — Does your pet snuggle with a plush toy every night at bedtime? Maybe your pooch must carry a ball in their mouth at all times. Whatever your pet’s favorite toy is, send it along so they have the comfort of home. 
  • A small blanket or towel — While we have plenty of bedding to keep your four-legged friend resting in comfort, you can send along a small blanket or towel that smells like home. 
  • Collar and leash — Bring your dog in with a collar and leash to provide a way to restrain them and prevent them from darting out of their kennel door. Ensure your pet has current ID tags on their collar. 
  • Vaccination record — An updated copy of your pet’s vaccination records is required for boarding. Not only does vaccinating your pet protect them against infectious diseases, it also safeguards the other pets in our care. Ask your veterinarian to send a copy over before your pet’s stay so we can ensure they are up to date on all necessary vaccinations.
  • Prescription medication — If your pet is on a daily medication or supplement, bring it in a clearly labeled bottle. Although it may be tempting to divide up your pet’s pills into a daily pill container, if they fail to take a tablet, it can be challenging to determine which medication they missed. Instead, send the prescription bottle with an ample supply and clear instructions. If your pet receives a different amount than what is on the label, specify the correct dose when dropping them off. 
  • Parasite prevention — While your pet should be current on flea, tick, and heartworm medication—and have a negative fecal test on file—they may be due for parasite prevention during their stay. If so, bring your pet’s preventives and leave instructions on what day to administer them.
  • Emergency contact information — If an emergency happens while you are out of town, ensure you or a trusted friend or family member can be reached. For example, if your pet develops a life-threatening condition, such as gastric dilation volvulus (GDV) or a urethral blockage, they will need immediate treatment. Provide your phone number, an emergency contact, and the name and number of your veterinarian.

What not to bring when boarding your pet

When boarding your pet, there are a few items you can leave at home. Packing light helps ensure no items are destroyed or lost. Listed below are a few belongings your pet doesn’t need: 

  • A wide assortment of toys — Although it is tempting to load up your pet’s entire toy basket to help them stay entertained, too many toys can be a problem. Choose one or two favorite, durable toys, and leave toys that require supervision to use, such as rope toys or small chew toys, at home.
  • A large blanket or bed — A small blanket that smells like home is perfect for helping your pet settle in during their stay, but leave the king-size comforter or $400 Big Barker bed at home. Many pets experience some level of anxiety when staying in a new place, no matter how comfortable their surroundings. With anxiety can come urinary or fecal accidents, in addition to destructive behavior that can leave you with an expensive shredded dog bed.
  • Food and water bowls — If your pet eats out of a slow-feeding dish or other special bowl, bring it with them, but otherwise, leave food and water bowls at home. We provide dishes for your pet that are easy to disinfect, plus using our bowls ensures your belongings do not get lost. 

If you are unsure what your pet requires to board at our Pet Resort at Stone Ridge facility, give our team a call before their scheduled stay.