If you’re planning any trips this summer, a dog boarding facility will give your pet a safe and comfortable place to stay while you’re away from home. Although these services aim to make life easy for pet owners, it may still be necessary for you to take a couple of preparatory steps before dropping off your dog. These tips will ensure that the transition is smooth and your dog is happy and comfortable.

3 Steps to Take Before Dog Boarding

1. Visit the Vet

To protect other lodging animals, dog boarding facilities only accept animals who are up-to-date with their vaccinations. It’s also important to make sure that you’ve given your dog preventative heartworm and flea treatments before dropping them off as conditions caused by these pests can spread throughout the facility.

2. Introduce Your Dog to Other Animals

Small pups might be frightened by bigger dogs, especially if they’ve never interacted with another animal before. Your pet will be around dogs of all sizes and demeanors at the boarding facility, so you might want to invest in socialization training to ease their experience.

3. Pack Their Favorite Items

Bringing a few of your dog’s belongings from home will help them feel more comfortable in their temporary space. They might have a favorite toy, bed, or blanket that’ll smell like home and provide them with a sense of familiarity while you’re away. Check with the boarding facility to determine what you’re allowed to pack for your pup and find out if they need you to supply anything specific, like medicine.

If you’re looking for a dog boarding facility on the Big Island, contact the friendly team at Bar-King Dog Kennel in Keaau, HI. This local kennel offers clean accommodations of various sizes for cats and dogs. If you have multiple pets, you can even have them stay together so that they’re more comfortable. They also provide pet quarantine services, if necessary, ensuring dogs and cats receive personalized care during their stay. Learn more about their grooming services online, or call (808) 966-8733 to schedule a tour of the kennel.