It can be tough for both you and your furry companion when you need to be away from home. But how can you make the most of it? Here, our Rochester vets discuss your pet care options while you are gone and what to expect if your cat or dog needs medical boarding.
How to Ensure the Best Care For Your Pets While You Are Away
If you plan on spending some time away from home, you will need to ensure that your pet is adequately cared for. There are three standard categories of pet care: sitting, pet boarding, and medical pet boarding.
Hire a Cat or Dogs Sitter
The best way to think of a pet sitter is to think of them as a sort of babysitter but for your pet instead of a human child. Your pet sitter can be a professional that you hire or a friend or family member. The level of service from a pet server can vary. The primary role of a sitter is to check on your pet periodically and dispense food, take care of their bathroom breaks, and provide social playtime.
Professional Pet Boarding Services
Pet boarding is a service where you take your pets to be taken care of. You may be more familiar with the other pet boarding name, a kennel. In recent years, the level of service available has increased significantly. Some places are bare bones and will take care of your pet's essential needs, while others are more like going to summer camp with a range of activities to keep them occupied, while others are more like spas for pets to be pampered to their heart's content. Since service can vary, we recommend that pet owners check out any facility to ensure it is where they would like to leave their pet.
What is medical pet boarding?
Medical pet boarding is similar to standard pet boarding with an added perk. Our expert veterinarians and nurses will supervise your pet, who will administer medications and watch over them closely. Any required medications will be administered to your pet on the same schedule they are used to at home.
When does a pet need medical boarding services?
Medical pet boarding is highly recommended for pets with pre-existing conditions, especially young pets and seniors.
Medical boarding is for pets needing extra care or having existing medical conditions. A pet sitter or standard boarding facility may not be trained to administer medications properly, especially if they involve needles. This is a major advantage of medical boarding; the staff are trained professionals who can understand your pet's medical history, give medication, and adjust doses if there are issues. They also know what symptoms to watch for based on your pet's medical condition/history.
What are the requirements for medical boarding?
Most regular pet boarding requires that the pet being boarded is vaccinated with a list of required vaccines. They will also state whether or not you are allowed to bring toys, bedding, or food for your pet. With most medical boarding, the rule still holds for the vaccination requirement, but double-check with them to see their vaccination policy for pets being medically boarded.
While locations may allow pets' toys and bedding from home under normal boarding circumstances, they may or may not allow them for the pet that is being medically boarded to keep 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 foods or medications if a vet has prescribed them.
Medical Pet Boarding for Dogs & Cats in Rochester
We understand how stressful it can be to leave your pet when you go out of town—especially if they are sick or recovering from surgery or a procedure. During this time, they need extra monitoring and medications, and it can be tough to hand the reigns to someone else.
At Ridgemont Animal Hospital, we want to help put your mind at ease. We offer medical boarding services for pets with conditions that standard boarding centers may not be equipped to accommodate.
Our expert veterinarians and staff will supervise your pet, administer medications, and watch them closely. Any medications your pet may need will be administered on the same schedule they are used to at home. Don't hesitate to contact our team if you want to learn more about this service.
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.