If you need to go away without your pet but your pet requires some extra care then medical pet boarding may be the right option. Here, our Westfield vets discuss the considerations when you need to go away and how medical pet boarding may be suitable for your pet if they require ongoing care and supervision.
Finding Pet Care While You Are Away
Sometimes you may need to go away and you may not be able to bring your pet with you. Luckily, there are three common options for pet care depending on your needs. Pet sitters, pet boarding, and medical pet boarding for animals with health concerns. Here's a little information about each of these options:
Hiring a Pet Sitter
When you hire a pet sitter, you are essentially hiring a babysitter who cares for animals. While you can hire a professional pet sitter, you could also ask a trusted friend or family member to do this task. The level of service from a pet server can vary. The primary role of a sitter is to check on your pet periodically and dispense food, take care of their bathroom breaks, and provide social playtime.
What to Expect With Pet Boarding
If you opt to schedule your furry friend for pet boarding, you will drop them off at a facility where they will provide daily and nightly care for your pet. These pet boarding facilities may also be referred to as kennels. While pet boarding facilities have previously all been pretty standard, their increased popularity has led to more specialized care and services being provided at some locations. Some places are bare bones and will take care of the essential needs of your pet, while others are more like going to summer camp with a range of activities to keep them occupied, and others are more like spas for pets to be pampered to their heart's content. Since service can vary we recommend that pet owners check out any facility to make sure it is where they would like to leave their pet.
Medical Boarding For Cats & Dogs
Medical pet boarding is similar to normal pet boarding but with an added perk–veterinary care. Medical pet boarding allows for your cat or dog to be continuously monitored by a veterinary team and trained staff during their stay. Allowing for care after injury, procedure, or illness as well as medication administration.
When to Choose Medical Pet Boarding
When deciding whether or not medical boarding is right for your pet you should consider whether they will be having a procedure, are recovering from illness, trauma, or veterinary care, or if they are a senior or very young pet.
If your pet needs extra care or is recovering from illness or procedure, then medical pet boarding may be suitable for them. A pet sitter or normal boarding facility may not be trained in the proper way to administer medications, especially if it involves needles. This is a major advantage of medical boarding; the staff is trained professionals who can understand your pet's medical history give medication and adjust doses if there are issues. They also know what symptoms to watch for based on your pet's medical condition/history.
Requirements for Medical Boarding for Dogs and Cats in Westfield
The top requirement at most facilities is that your pet is up to date on all mandatory vaccinations including rabies. They will also state whether or not you are allowed to bring toys, bedding, or food for your pet. With most medical boarding the rule still holds for the vaccination requirement but double-check with them to see what their policy for vaccination is for pets being medically boarded.
While locations may allow toys and bedding from home for pets under normal boarding circumstances they may or may not allow it for the pet that is being medically boarded, for the reason of keeping the environment hygienic. You should always speak with the team at the boarding facility of your choice to ensure that you know the policies.
You will be expected to bring any medication your pet is currently prescribed. It is often recommended that you bring your pet's food, especially if it is a prescribed diet from your vet.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet for an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition.
