Choosing the Right Pet Boarding - What Every Pet Parent Should Know

One of the toughest decisions while planning for a trip is to not take your pet with you. Equally so if not more is to choose the perfect pet boarding that would be a home away from home for your loved one. Choosing the right pet stay can be a tough task. We make it easy for you by giving you recommendations that cover everything from pet safety to her physical and mental well being when away from her family. 

We went through this twice when we had to leave to different states to attend family marriages that involved very long hours of travel. Thankfully for us, Chezhi's veterinarian runs a pet boarding facility and she was very well taken care of during her stay. 

Here is the video for you to have a look at one of the best pet stays in Chennai. 

Why a Good Pet Boarding Facility Matters

A pet stay is not just some place to let your pet be till you return. A pet stay is a place that is home away from home. Right from the caregivers to the environment, everything should help your pet settle down comfortably and enjoy her stay till you return.

Essentials of Good Pet Boarding Include:

• Safety and security
• Cleanliness 
• Following structured routines so your pet gets her food, walks and exercise on time and also gets to sleep on time
• Attention and companionship to minimize impact of separation anxiety
• Trained persons who understand dogs

What to Look for in a Pet Stay

Here are some of the most important things to check before finalizing a boarding facility for your pet:

Veterinary Supervision: Ensure the pet boarding has 24 X 7 emergency pet care facility just in case.

Clean Environment: Hygiene is non-negotiable; Pay a visit to the pet stay before making a choice and ensure everything is clean from water bowls to beds and floors.

Ventilation and Temperature Control: If you are from Chennai, you naturally know how important it is to ensure the facility has good ventilation and is cool to prevent pets from experiencing heat related illnesses.

Safe Play Areas: A good pet stay should have play area and a safe one too. Play areas help your pet to relax and socialize with other dogs so they don't feel completely depressed.

Questions to Ask Before You Finalize the Pet Care

Don't hesitate to ask questions; as a pet parent, you are being thoughtful. Here are some questions you may want to ask the pet stay you have shortlisted:

1) Is medical support available 24 X 7?

2) Who will be supervising the pets? Are the caregivers trained adequately and can identify an issue immediately?

3) What is the daily routine for boarding pets?

4) How many pets stay at a time? Are the pets grouped or kept separately? 

5) How do they manage pets that are shy, aggressive or unwell?

6) Do they require all pets to be up-to-date on vaccination? 

7) Can I bring my pet's food, bedding or toys?

8) Can I get regular photo / video updates of my pet during her stay here?

Pro Tips for First-Time Boarders

• Do a trial stay if you are unsure how your pet will adapt to the environment
• Pack something familiar to your pet along with her things for her stay - a toy, blanket and one of your worn dresses
• Share your pet's schedule so it will be maintained. You would not want your pet to be stressed because her routine got upset
• Share medical records and inform the pet stay if your pet is allergic to anything in particular
• Ensure your pet's vaccination is up to date.
• Be calm as you assure your pet that you will return for her soon. Very emotional goodbyes will upset your pet.

The right pet stay will give your pet a perfect holiday when you are out on a vacation. If you find a pet stay that genuinely cares, value them, treasure them as they become a part of your extended pet family.

Stay tuned as I plan to cover more pet stays and veterinary clinics in Chennai that offer quality care for our beloved pets. I would appreciate if you could leave a comment about your favorite pet care and veterinary clinic.