How Can I Make Sure My Pets Are Ready for Vacation?

Getting yourself and your family ready for vacation can sometimes be a daunting task.  There are so many things to remember to do before you leave, things to pack, reservations to confirm, the list goes on and on.  It is easy to let your “Pet Care To Do List” fall to the bottom of the “Everything I Need to Do BEFORE Vacation” list with all the hustle and bustle that goes on the few days before your vacation.

That’s why we wanted to take the time to create a Pet Care Checklist for you!  Most of these items can be done a week or more before you leave to help take the pressure off you!

Pet Care Checklist for Your Boarding Facility

Should be done at least a month prior to your vacation:

• Veterinary Examinations, Vaccinations, and Fecal test:  Chances are your pets will need to be current on a physical exam and have a clean bill of health before they can enter the facility.  Dogs should also be current on vaccinations such as Rabies, Distemper, and Bordatella (aka Kennel Cough).  Some facilities may require additional vaccines such as Canine Influenza.  Cats should be current on their Rabies, Feline Distemper and be negative for Feline Aids and Leukemia.  Both cats and dogs should have a current negative fecal test.  Make sure you check with the requirements of the boarding facility a least a month in advance so you can ensure you have time to meet them.  You will need to bring proof from your veterinarian to the facility.

Can be done at least a week prior to your vacation:

• Food:  It is important to make sure you supply enough food to last while you are away.  It’s an even better idea to pack more food than you think you will need in case you have a problem with your travels or want to extend your vacation.  Not supplying enough food may result in the boarding facility needing to feed your pet their “house food.”  This can cause an upset belly and diarrhea for your pet.  Additionally, make sure you provide specific directions as the quantity of food to be given and times pets are typically fed.
• Medications:  Along the same line as food, make sure you have enough of your pet’s medication, preferably more than you think you’ll need.  If it is a special order medicine, it is even more important to make sure you have enough before you leave for vacation and don’t leave it up to your boarding facility to reorder it.  Some boarding facilities are unable to accept medication unless it is in it’s original packaging from the manufacturer or pharmacy vials.  Make sure you check with your pet care company before you divide the medicine up in Monday-Sunday pill sorters.  Provide a list of the medication instructions: each medication’s name, dosage and time of day.
• Poop Supplies:  If your pet will be boarding, then this isn’t usually a special concern for you unless you have a cat that is partial to a specific brand of litter.  Then you should make sure to bring it to the boarding facility.
• Treats/Toys:  If the boarding facility allows you to bring your own toys and treats, make sure they are labeled with your name and are not a choking hazard.
• Clean Bedding:  Ask the facility if you can supply your own bedding & bring a few with you if you can.
• Cleaning Supplies: Ask the boarding facility what cleaning supplies they use.  I never thought about this until a few years ago when I discovered my dog was allergic to the cleaning agent they typically used to clean his run.  From then on, I made sure to tell them to use a different product when cleaning his area.
• Leash/Collar/Carrier:  Make sure you have safe & secure collars and leashes.  You don’t want your dog being walked on a half chewed through leash or wearing a collar that is way too big.  Carriers should be cleaned and labeled with your name.
• Emergency Contacts:  Make sure to provide a list of your contact information and an additional person as an emergency contact.  You should also provide your veterinarian’s information as well.

Pet Care Checklist for Your Pet Sitter

• Food:  It is important to make sure you supply enough food to last while you are away.  Not supplying enough food may result in the pet sitter running out and not purchasing the correct food.  This can cause an upset belly and diarrhea for your pet. Additionally, make sure you provide specific directions as the quantity of food to be given, times pets are typically fed, and where the food is located in your home.
• Medications:  Along the same line as food, make sure you have enough of your pet’s medication, preferably more than you think you’ll need.  If it is a special order medicine, it is even more important to make sure you have enough before you leave for vacation and don’t leave it up to your pet sitter to reorder it.  Some pet sitters prefer to use medication that is in its original packaging from the manufacturer or pharmacy vials.  Make sure you check with your pet care company before you divide the medicine up in Monday-Sunday pill sorters.  Provide a list of the medication instructions: each medication’s name, dosage and time of day.
• Poop Supplies:  Make sure you leave enough kitty litter and poop bags to last throughout your vacation.  Be sure to tell your sitter where an appropriate location to dispose of the full bags is.
• Treats/Toys:  Be sure to have enough and tell your sitter where the treats and toys are located in your home.
• Clean Bedding:  Tell your pet sitter where clean towels, dog beds, or blankets are located.  Tell them what to do with soiled linens.
• Cleaning Supplies:  Be sure you have proper cleaners and that your sitter knows where they are located.
• Health Care:  Discuss with your pet sitter if they require your pet to be current with a physical examination, vaccines, or negative fecal test prior to you leaving.
• Leash/Collar/Carrier:  Make sure you have safe & secure collars and leashes.  You don’t want your dog being walked on a half chewed through leash or wearing a collar that is way too big.  Carriers should be cleaned and labeled with your name.
• Emergency Contacts:  Provide a list of your contact information and an additional person as an emergency contact.  You should also provide your veterinarian’s information as well.
• Item Locations:  Please make sure to leave the food, medicines, treats, toys, leashes, litter boxes, litter, and anything else you went over with your sitter, in the location you specifically discussed with them.  Your sitter doesn’t want to play hide and go seek to find what they need.  They want to focus on caring for your pets.

For your convenience, please click the link to download the Pet Care Check List.

Now that you have a checklist, we want you to take a deep breath and enjoy preparing for your vacation!  The more you are relaxed, the more relaxed your pet will be and that will make their vacation even better for them!  After all, you do want them to have a nice time while you’re away, too!