What do I need to pack for my dog's boarding stay?

The big things are bedding (a bed or two, blankets, towels, and a crate if your dog uses one), a lead and any harness or coats they wear, enough food for every day of the stay plus treats and chews, any medication or supplements, and a brush or grooming kit. I give every client a full, detailed packing checklist to take home so nothing gets forgotten.

Do I need to bring my dog's usual food?

Yes, please bring enough of your dog's usual food for breakfast, lunch (if they have one) and dinner for every day of the stay. Sticking to their normal diet avoids an upset tummy, which is the last thing either of you wants while you're away.

What paperwork do you need before a boarding stay?

A current vaccination certificate, up-to-date information on flea and worm treatment and when it was last given, and confirmation that your own vet knows I'm looking after your dog while you're away, so they're covered in an emergency.

Will I get a full packing checklist?

Yes. This guide covers the bigger things worth thinking about early, but every boarding client gets a full, item-by-item packing checklist to take home, so you don't have to rely on memory for the smaller details.

Guides

What to Pack for a Home Boarding Stay

Getting ready for your dog's first stay with me (or the tenth) is usually more straightforward than people expect, but it helps to think it through properly rather than throwing things in a bag the night before. Here are the bigger things worth sorting out early. It isn't the full list, every client gets a complete, item-by-item packing checklist to take home, this is just the headline version.

The paperwork first

Before your dog's stay, I'll need:

A current vaccination certificate on file
Up-to-date information on flea and worm treatment, including when it was last given
Confirmation that your own vet knows I'm looking after your dog while you're away, so they're covered in an emergency

Bedding and home comforts

Familiar things from home make a real difference to how quickly a dog settles: a crate if your dog uses one, at least one bed (ideally two), a couple of blankets, and their favourite toys.

Walking gear

Bring your dog's usual lead and travel harness if they wear one, plus any coats they'd normally use, a rain coat, or a cool coat for warm weather (see my guide to keeping dogs safe in hot weather).

Food and treats

Please pack enough of your dog's usual food for every day of the stay, sticking to their normal diet avoids an upset tummy while you're away. It's also worth bringing along any treats, chews, supplements or medication your dog usually has, clearly labelled with dosing instructions if relevant.

Grooming

A brush or grooming kit helps keep your dog's coat comfortable and lets me keep on top of their usual routine while they're with me.

The full checklist: there's naturally more to remember than fits neatly into a guide like this, worming and flea treatment due dates, quantities, the smaller bits and pieces, so every boarding client gets a complete, item-by-item packing checklist to take home. Think of this page as the big-picture version to start thinking about early, the checklist is there to catch everything else.

Still deciding whether home boarding is the right fit for your dog? Have a look at my guide comparing home boarding and kennels. And if you're ever unsure what to pack, message me, I'm always happy to talk it through before your dog's stay.