Now, the most important thing in drawing up plans for any family that may have to travel and has some pets is to ensure that your four-legged friend is well taken care of while you are away. In such situations, a pet hotel will turn out to be simply wonderful, giving your dog a comfortable and secure environment. However, how good their time spent inside the facility will depend on proper preparation. This is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your pet for its stay at the pet hotel. This way, both you and your pet spend stress-free time apart.
- Visit the Pet Hotel Beforehand
If possible, one of the nicest ways to get your pet used to the environment of the pet hotel will be to introduce him/her to it in advance. If possible, schedule a pre-visit to this pet hotel to let your pet explore the facility, meet the staff, and become familiar with the smells. This initial visit will aid your pet in being more familiar with this new environment, making it not so scary when it’s really time for them to stay here. Many pet hotels will also have trial daycare sessions, which help even more in the acclimatization process of your pet to the new environment.
- Packing It Right: Things to Bring
Packing the right items makes a big difference in your pet’s comfort during their stay. Here’s a checklist of things to pack:
- Favorite Bedding or Blanket : Taking its bedding from home or its blanket will help bring an atmosphere of familiarity and comfort for your pet. This smell is going to help in making her relax and alleviate the anxiety states. Favorite Toys: Bringing some of the favorite toys of your pet is another way to distract it from items that worry it and to have old comforting contact time.
- Foods and Treats: While most pet inns do offer food, it’s often best to bring along your pet’s regular diet to avoid any unexpected changes that can upset the stomach. Also, bring a few of their favorite treats to help them enjoy themselves even further.
- Medication and Instructions: If your pet is taking any medication, bring enough medication for the duration along with detailed instructions for the staff. This ensures your pet’s health requirements are well taken care of.
- An article of familiar clothing: Consider including an article of scent-marked clothing. This can be particularly soothing for pets with separation anxiety.
- Separation anxiety is relieved with gradual exits and positive testimonials.
Separation anxiety in pets is very common when their owners leave. To alleviate such anxiety, owners must first get used to gradual departures. This can be achieved by first leaving your pet alone for some time and slowly lengthening the period of time you are away. This will give them the habit of being without you and working on the fact that you will come back.
Another is positive reinforcement. You can either play with your pet, do something fun, or have a special treat before leaving. It creates a kind of positive association while going away from the home, which relieves anxiety.
- Keep the Routine and Things Familiar
Animals live in a routine: try to maintain the routine as close to normality as is feasible when your pet is at the pet hotel. Share as much as possible regarding your pet’s general routine, any special considerations about food, time of meals, favorite exercises, and needs for care with the staff of the hotel. The better the in-home routine is shared with the hotel staff, the more comfortable and relaxed it will be for your pet.
- Reach Out to the Staff at the Pet Hotel
Withholding any information from the pet hotel staff can be detrimental to a stay. Therefore, let the staff know all information regarding special needs, owner preferences, and anything else a pet owner would find necessary in order to guarantee a pet’s stay. The staff will attend to your pet better the more information you provide about special needs, things it does not like, its quirks, or its medial issues.
- Stay Calm and Positive
Animals are very intuitive. They will sense the owner’s concern and anxiety over their wellbeing. Staying calm and positive sets the scene for the animal to stay calmceptive in turn. Trust on the fact that the pet hotel is taking good care of your pet and rather dwell on the positive notes of your pet staying there because of all the fun activities and socialization that they get to engage in.
- Look At the Behavior of Your Pet When They Return Home
After your trip, continue observing your pet to make sure they are adapting to life back at home. Of course, pets need a little time to readjust to the environment after being in another, but at the slightest indication of stress, anxiety, or health issues, don’t hesitate to consult your vet. Shower them with love, reassurance, and all the possible affection while they adjust back to their usual routine.
Other Helpful Ideas Help Your Pet Easily Adjust to a Pet Hotel
Dog Parks, Walks and Socializing
Socialization is very important for your pet before it checks into a pet hotel because it exposes it to a new environment where other animals will be encountered, and the pet feels relaxed and confident. Socialization will help your pet develop good behaviors and reduce anxiety over other pets or people. One of the best ways of socializing your dog is through regular walks. Walks let them get exposed to various sights and sounds of other animals. Through walks, your pet learns to get around in various environments and greet other dogs, teaching him how to remain calm in their presence. Another great way to improve the social skills of your dog would be by taking him to dog parks. In a dog park, your dog will get to frolic around and play with other dogs in a very safe and controlled environment. With this exposure to various breeds, sizes, and temperaments, your pet becomes more adept and less fearful of unknown situations. You can also look into organizing playdates with friends or neighbors who have well-behaved pets to offer your pet some sort of socialization in a more controlled environment—where you can gradually introduce your pet to either one or two new friends at a time. The case is a little different for cats, but socialization is just as important. Start by letting your cat gradually become exposed to new people and environments in the house, and let them explore on their own. Next, introduce new toys and scratching posts. An interactive session can help build confidence in cats. During socialization, positive reinforcement through treats, praise, and affection will ensure that both dogs and cats learn to associate their social interaction with a good experience. Thorough socialization of your dog before bringing them to a pet hotel gives them the opportunity to develop the level of socialization and confidence they need to enjoy their time in a communal setting, hence making it more enjoyable and stress-free while away from home.
Finding the Right Pet Hotel
The right choice of a pet hotel is very necessary to ensure your companion’s comfort and good health when you are away. It starts with researching local pet hotels and reading other owners’ reviews to gauge the quality of care. You also need to ensure that you visit the facility to check for cleanliness, safety, and total environment. And if you decide to make the visit, don’t be afraid to ask questions like the staff’s qualifications, how many pets there are per staff member, and what they have planned out for a daily routine. Look for a hotel whose services meet your pet’s needs, whether it is a shy cat that requires some quiet space or an energetic dog needing an oversized play yard. In addition, a good pet hotel must have clearly stated health and safety policies regarding vaccination and even contingency plans in the event of a medical emergency. You ensure that you get a great experience with no stress involved by looking for just the right place that comes nearest to your expectations and what your pet needs.
Add-Ons and Special Requests for Peace of Mind
For extra peace of mind during their stay, consider add-ons or special requests that can make your pet more comfortable and happy. Many pet hotels are now offering webcam access where you can log in at any time during the day or night to check in on how your pet’s doing. It’s a nice feature that can maybe help reassure you and perhaps lessen some of the separation anxiety you may be feeling. Another add-on that’s quite popular is one-on-one playtime or cuddle sessions with staff to ensure your pet gets some personalized attention and affection. In the event of special dietary requirements or just plain old favorites of your pet, you can request a special feeding arrangement so that it will be able to stick to its usual routine. Some even have in-house pet grooming facilities so your pet will look and feel great when it comes home. Add-ons may include regular health check-ups in the case of pets with health concerns or even medication administration. These add-ons, coupled with special requests, increase the experience of your pet but also give you confidence that they will be well taken care of in your absence.
Preparing your pet to stay at a pet hotel should not bring in much stress. Doing what is above, you can be very sure that the experience at the pet hotel will be made comfortable and pleasant. Remember that the goal is providing a positive, stress-free environment for your pet in the setback. When properly prepared for, your pet’s stay in a pet hotel can be a great adventure—a pleasurable stay that he looks forward to every time.
