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 instead of 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.
TL;DR — key points
- Vaccination certificate and up-to-date flea/worm treatment info
- Confirm your own vet knows your dog is staying elsewhere, for emergencies
- Bedding, a crate if used, and familiar toys help a dog settle faster
- Pack enough of your dog’s usual food for the whole stay to avoid tummy upsets
- Every client also gets a full item-by-item checklist beyond this headline list
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 (my worming guide explains how often)
- Confirmation that your own vet knows I'm looking after your dog while you're away, so they're covered in an emergency
My intake form also asks for the date of your dog's last kennel cough vaccination, so it's worth checking that one is in date well before the stay. There's more on how it works and when to book it in my guide to kennel cough.
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.
Want to tick things off as you go? Try the interactive, printable boarding packing checklist, it saves your progress and covers everything above. Still deciding whether home boarding is the right fit for your dog? Have a look at my guide comparing home boarding and kennels, or try the quick quiz. And if you're ever unsure what to pack, message me, I'm always happy to talk it through before your dog's stay.
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