When an owner travels, they usually cannot bring their dog. Unless a friend is willing to dog sit for you, the dog must be boarded at a kennel. Even if most kennels provide excellent care for the dogs they board, the dog may experience kennel stress. Owners can do a few things to reduce their dog’s stress while at the kennel.
How to Prevent Kennel Stress When Boarding Pets
Even one night in a boarding kennel for your dog can be stressful for them, and longer stays can make them feel even more anxious. Although not all dogs experience kennel stress, for many of them, it is an authentic and unpleasant experience that can be very stressful for owners as well. If this persists, you should consult a professional veterinarian from Overwatch Animal Hospital.
Prepare Your Pet
Because most dogs are accustomed to roaming the house and going wherever they please, being confined to a kennel can be highly stressful. The owner can begin conditioning the dog for its stay to reduce the dog’s stress. Putting the dog in a kennel or crate at home or in a small bedroom alone is an excellent way to prepare the dog for a time at the kennel. If you have an exotic pet, check this link.
Avoid Separation Anxiety
When a dog experiences separation anxiety from their owner or other dogs in the house, it may become stressed. A few weeks before the trip, the owner should begin spending a few hours per day away from the dog. If the owner has multiple dogs, you should separate them for a few hours each day to prepare them for their time apart.
Visit the Facility
Just because someone owns and operates a dog kennel does not mean they understand how every dog behaves. Dogs have distinct personalities as well as preferences and dislikes. Before leaving for their trip, the owner should pay a visit to the kennel and discuss their dog’s character with the owner. The more the kennel owner knows about the dog, the easier the dog’s stay will be.
Bring Something Familiar
Bring something comfortable and familiar to help the dog feel more at ease in the kennel. This could be a favorite blanket, toy, or anything else that reminds your dog of you. The dog will feel less stressed if it is around familiar things.
Pet boarding can be stressful for many dogs. It is best if the owner knows a few ways to prepare the dog to avoid stress during their stay at the kennel. Since you know what to do, you should look up “doggy daycare near me” to locate the nearest one in your area.
Four Factors That Cause Kennel Stress
Your dog may be anxious due to diet changes, routine changes, aggression, new smells, sounds, and people. New surroundings and a change in routine can stress even the most laid-back dogs.
Routine Modifications
Dogs are creatures of habit and can become anxious when their routine is disrupted. It is almost unavoidable in a kennel environment, as your dog’s eating, sleeping, and exercise habits will change.
Unfamiliar Individuals
While most dogs enjoy human attention, some are nervous around new people. In a kennel, the person caring for them may change hourly, increasing the dog’s stress levels even further.
Lack of Regular Exercise
A dog’s stress level increases when he does not burn enough calories. If your dog is not exercising as much or is afraid to play in the kennel’s open areas, boarding stress may increase.
A Sudden Shift in Diet
Different food can make a dog sick, but it can also make them anxious because it is a change in their routine. Nutrition is also essential because it keeps canine immune systems functioning properly. Your dog’s nutrition levels will drop if your dog loses its appetite.
Conclusion
No matter how hard we try to make dogs feel comfortable, the kennel environment is usually so different from their home that it is natural for them to experience some stress during their stay. However, following the advice above will make your dog feel more at ease while boarding.