Dog and Cat Boarding: Comforting Your Pet

It isn't easy to entrust your pet to a dog and cat boarding kennel. In fact, the experience is probably harder on you than it is on your pet. Still, it's only natural to try and make the experience and separation anxiety as painless as possible for your pup or kitty. If you do suspect that your pet will undergo some anxiety in the process, putting a few tricks to use can help to make them a bit calmer and accepting of their hotel stay. It can also ease your own mind, which may be closer to the point. Here are some of the things you can do to comfort your pet.

Put on a Happy Face
Animal behaviorists differ when it comes to how much your pets can pick up from your emotional state. Some say they can instantly sense when something is wrong, while others say this is mostly personification on the part of the owner's. And, clearly, each pet is different in this respect. If you have the type of pet who gets anxious or troubled when you are feeling like emotions, do your best to put on a happy face when heading to the dog and cat boarding kennel. The better attitude you have about the situation, the more likely it is that your pet will handle the transition smoothly.

Objects From Home
Your pet will feel much more comfortable in their temporary setting if they have something comforting from home. If there is a ball they like to play with or a bone they like to chew on, consider bringing it with you and leaving it with them as they enter the dog and cat boarding kennel. Most kennels are more than happy to allow this, as they know how much calmer it can make the pet. Think of it in terms of yourself. If you were going to be away from home for an extended period of time, wouldn't it ease your mind to have something familiar to look at once in a while?

Special Food
Does your pet get sick whenever you change out his or her food? If so, you may want to consider handing over the pet's usual food to the dog and cat boarding kennel when dropping them off. Kennels have different rules regarding this, of course, so you may want to ask in advance whether they allow outside food. If you don't want to do this, of course, almost all kennels will provide the food as part of their services.