The Pros and Cons of Veterinary Boarding

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© Carrie Boyko
Energetic, Playful Dogs
 Need Daily, Active Exercise

Don't get me wrong, boarding at your veterinarian's office is a needed and important service. Pets who prefer a quiet crate when you're away are safely supervised in a vet's kennel area. I've talked to dozens of owners who tell me their dog hardly moves while they are gone, won't eat or drink, and the toys remain untouched. Each dog is different, and so is the decision for each owner.


If your dog has health conditions that need monitoring, requires administration of challenging medications (injections, etc.) or is disabled and cannot safely be left alone for a period of time at home, the vet's office may be your best bet for boarding during your vacation or other trip.


Likewise, if your pup has become familiar with your vet's office and staff, he may feel more at home there with people he already knows and trusts when you suddenly disappear for a getaway. Wouldn't it be grand if we could sit down and explain to Fido about our business trip that he can't go along on because he would be bored in the Board Meeting (pun intended!).


Leaving your dog is always an emotional time, and deciding on what's best for him is a very individual decision. You need to screw your head on straight and give some consideration to his safety, needs and comfort, in order to make the best decision for him.


If your dog, unlike the ones mentioned above, is young, healthy, active and in need of plenty of exercise, the vet's office may not be the right choice. Granted, emergency medical care would be an important benefit, but will you return to a raging lunatic with kennel-induced "cabin fever"? This is for you to answer. I'll talk about some of your options in an upcoming post on other forms of boarding, as well as pet sitters and dog walkers. Stay tuned.


Today's post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop. The rules below have been copied from Life with Dogs on July 8, 2011. The other hosts are Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume. Happy hopping!

• Link up your pet blog name and URL using the Linky Tool below. You only need to add your link once to be seen on all the Saturday Pet Blogger Blog Hop Linky Tools for that week. Note that if your blog is not pet related your link will be removed. Also note that only one post per blog is acceptable, and links promoting giveaways that are unrelated to the pet blogger hop will be removed. This is a community building exercise and not a promotional vehicle – please treat it as such.
• Grab the “Saturday Pet Blogger Blog Hop” button on the right hand side of this site and include it in your Saturday Blog hop post so that your readers will know what is going on. *Note – posting is optional. Feel free to just link and follow.
• Follow your co-hosts listed in the first 3 slots of the Linky Tool.
• Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you’d like.
• Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you’re from the blog hop.
• Follow back when you get a new follower through the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop.
• Make friends and grow. ♥