by Team WellJoy
“There I am, on a tropical beach, icy drink in hand, sun overhead, and all I can think is: is my cat ok? I love my annual vacation, but leaving Noodles behind never gets any easier.”
The flights are booked, you’ve looked at the photos a thousand times, and you can’t wait to close your laptop, pick up a book, and indulge in some vacation time.
It’s not always so simple for a Pet Loyalist. However excited you are about your trip, there’s always a tiny question in the back of your mind: will my pet be ok?
A quick guide to vacation pet care
Every pet is different and we love them for their quirks. What suits one pet might not suit another, and planning for a vacation isn’t one-size-fits-all.
For example, cats that are happily independent can do well with drop-in visits, while very sociable dogs might enjoy kennels. Meanwhile, more sensitive pets might need one-on-one care.
Here’s a quick guide to what works best for who.
Boarding kennels
- Best for: sociable, adaptable pets that are used to daycare environments.
- Pros: Plenty of supervision and routine.
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Cons: Can be stressful and noisy, and exposes your pet to other pets.
In-home sitter
- Best for: Anxious pets, multiple-pet homes, or cats that like their own space
- Pros: A steady routine that can reduce stress
- Cons: Relies heavily on finding a trusted individual
Drop-in visits
- Best for: Cats that are very independent and low maintenance adult dogs
- Pros: Often more affordable, and creates less disturbance
- Cons: Less regular supervision, which means problems may go unnoticed.
A note on boarding
Checking your cat or dog into a boarding facility can be as stressful for a Pet Loyalist as it is for the pet, especially if it’s a new experience for either of you. Being confident that it’s safe and secure and that your pet will be well-looked-after is the best way to deal with those nerves.
Make sure you tour the facility beforehand, and make notes on:
- Hygiene: Check water bowls and surfaces and ask about waste removal protocols. Facilities should smell clean but not be overpowered by the smell of cleaning products.
- Comfort: Your pet should have enough space to comfortably sit, stand and turn around – and dogs should have their own private sleeping areas.
- Exercise: Ask how often dogs are allowed out and how kennels handle temperament tests, to make sure group play is safe.
- Safety: Secure fencing and double-gated entries, as well as cameras, are absolutely necessary for any escape artists.
- Expertise: Ask about staff-to-dog ratios, if there are people on-site around-the-clock, and make sure the facility can help with specialized needs such as particular diets, or medication.
- Health: All pets should require proof of standard vaccinations, before being admitted.
It’s also worth remembering these facilities aren’t ideal for very young or very old pets, or those with ongoing medical issues or behavioral challenges.
Keeping your pet healthy while boarding
If you know you (and your pet!) have a vacation coming up, give yourself plenty of time to make sure their core vaccinations are up to date.
For dogs that means Rabies, Canine Distemper and Canine Parvovirus, and for cats it’s Rabies, FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia), and +/- LeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus).
Kennels and catteries bring your pet into contact with lots of others, so it’s recommended to also get non-core vaccinations for Bordetella Bronchiseptica infection and Canine Influenza. Lastly, make sure they’ve got parasite prevention in place.
If you’d like your pet to have some extra support while you’re away, you can get them into a supplement routine a few weeks beforehand.
WellJoy’s Calming+ for Cats and for Dogs can be a good choice for pets that might feel anxious. They’re designed to support the nervous system, and contain Valerian Root, Melatonin, L-Theanine, Ashwagandha and L-Tryptophan to help your pet feel calmer without being drowsy. Or, if you want to keep their immunity boosted, try WellJoy Immune+ for Cats and for Dogs, formulated with Vitamin E, Colostrum and Astaxanthin (plus Lysine and Quercetin Dihydrate for cats) to boost wellbeing.
All of our supplements contain our GutBoost® biotic blend, which provides a foundation layer of essential gut support that helps to power up those calming ingredients, and immune-boosting nutrients.
Consider making a pet ‘manual’
Creating a how-to-guide to your pet can be enormously helpful for the boarding facility or your sitter.
It’s a place to share routine information, such as when dinner time is, as well as an outline of typical behavior – for example, maybe your pet is a known thief who can’t be trusted within ten feet of any leftover food.
Your pet manual can help a sitter spot any worrying behavior early on, or just let them know that, actually, your dog loves to lounge under the sofa, or that your cat hasn’t fallen through a portal, they’re hiding in the closet.
Key areas to include:
- Food: Share the usual feeding times and exact amounts for how much food they get. It’s ok to give boundaries for how many treats your pet is allowed, and emphasize that there’s no wriggle room – sitters are as susceptible to the ‘feed me’ eyes as anyone else.
- Medication: Make a note of the exact dose, how often and when it’s given, and how you’d normally give it. Ensure any meds are clearly labeled, to avoid confusion, and share veterinary records, just in case.
- Routine: Tell your sitter or boarding facility what your pet’s normal schedule looks like – from walk times to their usual sleep habits.
- Behavior: It’s helpful to mention any particular behavioral challenges such as resource guarding, as well as triggers such as storms or anything else that might make your pet feel anxious.
- In case of emergencies: Make sure your boarding facility or sitter has your contact number, as well as details of their veterinarian.
What to do post-vacation
However emotional you feel at being reunited with your pet, it’s best to keep it as calm and low-key as possible, to avoid overwhelming them.
Once back home, they might behave slightly differently. Some pets can hide, some can be extra excited or clingy, and some might seem more tired and less interested in dinner.
This is completely normal, and the best thing to do is to get back into their regular routine. You might be tempted to give them a post-boarding bath – but if your pet is sensitive to grooming, give them some extra time to decompress at home first. And be sure to watch out for any signs of illness such as coughing or sneezing, diarrhea, skin issues or lethargy.
As dedicated Pet Loyalists, there’s always going to be some lingering guilt for leaving them, and it’s hard not to wonder if your pet is feeling a bit resentful. But we promise, any unusual behavior is just them readjusting to normal life again.
We’re proud to say that all of WellJoy’s content is fact-checked and verified by a Pet Loyalist team, including a veterinarian trained in companion animal nutrition and a PhD board-certified companion animal nutritionist.
