Sometimes, you have no choice but to be away from home, but when you have an elderly pet, boarding can be a harrowing experience for them. There are, however, many things you can do to make it the best possible experience for everyone, most especially your pet.

Avoid Boarding Your Elderly Pet More Than Necessary

Because your older pet needs the safety and security of the place you call home, avoid using any boarding facility more often than is necessary. You're best bet is to find a good one that's recommended or run by a veterinarian and stick with it. You might even ask that your elder pet be allowed to stay in the same room or area of the kennel each time you have to go away and if they seem to do well with a certain handler or vet tech, request that particular person be an active part of the team caring for your pet. The more familiar you can keep everything, the better.

Request A Quiet Area If The Facility Has One

Unless your aging pet enjoys a lot of noise and commotion, ask the boarding staff if they have a quiet room or one that is at the end of a row of other animals. This should provide the least amount of stress-related noise, allowing your beloved animal the most peace, quiet and rest. If you're boarding at a vet, they may even have a separate room available, such as one used for quarantine or other isolation reasons.

Bring Along Your Pet's Bed And Toys

Always bring something familiar from home when you board your pet; preferably a bed they sleep in, accompanied by familiar toys or blankets. The smell of home will be comforting and hopefully make the time away less anxiety-inducing. If you don't mind airing your dirty laundry in public (literally), let your dog board with an unwashed sock, t-shirt or other item from you or another family member. This intense reminder of you will stir the pet's olfactory memory bank each time it's sniffed, helping to calm and soothe.

Supply Your Own Regular Feed

Your older pet is most likely on a special diet, given their age and other health considerations, so make sure the boarding facility either has that particular food on hand or is supplied with enough of it from you to last the entire time you're away. Combined with the stress of being in a new place and surrounded by new people and animals, a change of diet could be rather harsh on your pet's digestive system. Especially if the animal is on a prescription or other hard-to-find food, the facility must be equipped to handle the special menu and keep your fine-furried friend on track.

Let The Boarding Facility Know What Exercise Routine You Normally Maintain

In addition to the regular diet, the normal amount of exercise is also recommended, whatever that may be. If your pet is enjoying the laziness of old age, the boarder won't push a strenuous routine, but if a few walks a day are what you've acclimated the animal too, that should remain consistent.

Pack Your Pet's Medicines, Vitamins And Any Other Special Need

Not only do you need to make sure you pack your pet's medicines up before you go away, but including a precise schedule of the dosage is important, too. For example, if your pet does best with taking the meds with meals or before bedtime, let the boarder know. Also, include a few extra doses, just in case a pill is dropped down a drain or some other mishap occurs.

Call To Check Up On Your Pet

Even if you're away on some important business, always check in with your elderly pet. The staff might have a few questions for you and you could probably benefit from hearing the words "Everything is just fine!" when inquiring as to the welfare of your pet.

Consider A Sitter For Next Time, If Boarding Doesn't Go Well

The staff at your pet boarding service will be able to tell you if your pet was particularly nervous and stressed during his stay, which may prompt you all to come up with an alternative arrangement the next time you go away and can't bring the pet. The vet may have recommendations for who could sit for you or the staff may actually be able to provide the in-home sitting as an extension of their services. Either way, since remaining at home can be the best option for any animal, especially an older one, be sure and ask what your options are.

Give Special Treatment When You Finally All Get Home Together

After you're all reunited at home, consider doing something special as a treat for your pet. While just the pleasure of your company will be quite rewarding, you could do something more, such as give them an extra long massage or let them hang on the sofa with you, when that's generally not allowed. Do anything that will help your old pal realize everything is back to normal again.

Work closely with a vet when you board your elderly animal, no matter where they stay. They may need a few special arrangements to make the experience more comfortable for them, but it's something your old friend definitely deserves. For more information, visit websites like http://www.marcumroadvet.com.