Modern life often requires pet parents to go places where they can’t safely take their beloved pets, so they may need to board them. Today, our Boulder County vets discuss medical boarding, how it differs from other options, and when it is considered a good option.
What Are the Options for Pet Care?
If you are going to be gone for a prolonged period and can’t take your pet with you, there are 3 standard categories of pet care: sitting, pet boarding, and medical pet boarding.
Pet Sitter
Having a pet sitter is similar to having a babysitter for humans. Your pet sitter can be a paid professional or a friend or family member. A pet server's level of service can vary. A sitter's primary responsibility is to check on your pet regularly and dispense food, take care of their bathroom breaks, and provide social playtime.
Pet Boarding
Pet boarding is a service where you can leave your pets to be cared for. A kennel is another name for pet boarding that you may be more familiar with. The level of service available has significantly increased in recent years. Some places are bare bones and will only take care of your pet's basic needs, while others are more like summer camps with a variety of activities to keep them occupied, and still, others are more like spas for pets to be pampered to their hearts' content. Because service varies, we recommend that pet owners inspect any facility to ensure that it is where they want to leave their pet.
Medical Pet Boarding
Medical pet boarding in Boulder County is similar to normal pet boarding with an added perk. Medical pet boarding comes with the supervision of a vet and their staff.
When Does My Pet Need Medical Boarding?
The three types of pets that are highly recommended for medical pet boarding are pets with pre-existing conditions, extremely young pets, and senior pets.
Medical boarding is for pets who require extra attention or have pre-existing medical conditions. A pet sitter or regular boarding facility may not be trained in the proper administration of medications, especially if needles are involved. This is a significant benefit of medical boarding; the staff is trained professionals who can understand your pet's medical history and administer medication and adjust doses if necessary. They also know what symptoms to look out for based on your pet's medical history.
Requirements for Medical Pet Boarding
Most regular pet boarding facilities require that the pet be vaccinated against a list of required vaccines. They will also specify whether you are permitted to bring toys, bedding, or food for your pet. Most medical boarding facilities still require vaccinations but check with them to see what their vaccination policy 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. Double-check the specifics of the policies on medical boarding at your chosen boarding facility.
You will be expected to bring any medication your pets in currently prescribed. It is often recommended that you bring your pet's own 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.