| Most dogs, especially older ones, develop a sense | | | | number, your veterinarian's name and phone |
| of pattern in their daily lives. Transporting them to | | | | number, and where you can be reached when |
| new places or doing something that could disrupt | | | | you go away. So in case of emergency it will be |
| those habitual patterns can be upsetting to them. | | | | easy for them to reach you. If your pet has any |
| Experts say that old pets are more likely to have | | | | special problems that are not covered in your |
| health problems. Common to senior pets are | | | | check in forms, point them out to your kennel |
| deafness, blindness, and arthritis. As dogs get | | | | operator. |
| older, they are more prone to kidney, heart, and | | | | This will help your kennel take better care of your |
| liver diseases. Sometimes your pet won't get | | | | pet. Most kennels have special services they |
| around very easily. They might be experiencing | | | | provide. They sometimes provide a special diet |
| arthritis and other degenerative conditions. Keep in | | | | for your dog or a special boarding place away |
| mind that if your pets are not used to being | | | | from the general pet population. Kennel personnel |
| boarded, or are not boarded properly, their health | | | | provide nice resting and exercise places for your |
| problems might worsen. | | | | pets; they may even give your dog soft music to |
| Planning to board your dog | | | | release their stress. Discuss your pet's individual |
| When you are planning to board your pet, do not | | | | needs and health conditions in advance, along with |
| hesitate to drop by your chosen kennel | | | | what to do if something changes. Remember, |
| beforehand. Speak with your kennel personnel | | | | your kennel owner is in the business of boarding |
| regarding the care of your geriatric pet. Perhaps | | | | because he/she loves animals. |
| the kennel has a special area where older pets | | | | Relax and enjoy your trip. Remember that your |
| stay, or maybe they offer special services for | | | | pet is in good hands. Your pets will probably get |
| senior dog care. Whatever health problems your | | | | more care and attention than they would in your |
| pet has, be sure to discuss them thoroughly with | | | | home. |
| your kennel personnel before boarding. The kennel | | | | Many older pets have underlying conditions or |
| staff will be better able to recognize problems | | | | undiagnosed illnesses that are not readily |
| with a particular condition if they know what to | | | | noticeable. Stress plays an important role |
| look for. Be sure to observe the following: | | | | regarding your pet's health. Stress can be caused |
| Make your reservations early at the chosen | | | | by a variety of factors: being away from home |
| kennel. You will just get disappointed if you book | | | | and loved ones, a new environment, other dogs |
| your reservations at the last minute. The best | | | | and cats, new noises, smells and people |
| kennels fill up quickly and are booked months in | | | | associated with a kennel, a change in food or |
| advance. You should also find out what types of | | | | water...the list goes on. |
| payment they accept, what types of equipment | | | | Whatever triggers a stress reaction also triggers |
| you should bring with your dog, and what kind of | | | | physical changes in your pet. We may see |
| food they will feed him. | | | | physical signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lack of |
| Prepare your pet for boarding. Dogs, just like | | | | appetite, lethargy, or increased respiration. Stress |
| people, appreciate a break. They enjoy being in | | | | helps animals (and people) cope with a situation. |
| new surroundings. Once they get familiar with the | | | | However, when stress is not relieved or reduced |
| place, they will probably have an exciting and | | | | sufficiently, the body does not have a chance to |
| marvelous time. For dogs that have never been | | | | rest. This is why your pet can become ill away |
| boarded before, consider some short overnight | | | | from home, even when he appeared normal |
| stays to help him or her get used to boarding. | | | | when you dropped him off. Be sure to check for |
| Check in during office hours. Make sure to bring all | | | | these conditions when you pick up your dog and |
| the paperwork needed by the kennel. The kennel | | | | find out what triggered them. |
| needs to know your name, address, phone | | | | |