Planning Ahead: Reducing Stress When Boarding Your Pet

When pet parents travel but have no one to watch their furry companions, boarding can be a safe and necessary option. But being away from home, adjusting to an unfamiliar environment and adapting to a new schedule can impact even the most easygoing cats and dogs. For those pets, the abrupt shift can temporarily affect appetite, digestion, behavior and even immune function.

To help owners better support their animals, Dr. Erin Ray, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, explains the most common sources of boarding-related stress and offers guidance on how owners can keep pets comfortable before, during, and after their stay.

Why Boarding Can Be Stressful for Pets

In addition to being in a new environment, boarding presents many changes for a pet.

“Animals being away from their humans and other housemates can be really stressful,” Ray said.

Noise levels can also affect animals.

“Oftentimes, boarding facilities are loud, especially when it comes to dogs,” Ray said. “If the facility is connected to a grooming area or veterinary clinic, pets may also hear unfamiliar sounds or sense the emotions of animals nearby.”

In addition, some pets are simply uncomfortable around other animals.

“Seeing other dogs and cats in the same room, or even hearing them, can be really nerve-wracking,” Ray said. “For cats, in particular, the environment matters.”

Some adjustment is normal when animals are put into boarding.

“It’s really common for animals to not eat for the first 12 to 24 hours,” Ray said. “Mild, loose stool; pacing; panting; or hiding can also occur initially.”

To help animals cope with the stress, bringing familiar items from home, such as a T-shirt that smells like their owner or a favorite toy, can help ease the transition. However, the animal’s habits should be considered, as destructive chewers may not be able to safely keep certain items.

Preparing Ahead of Time

Planning ahead can significantly reduce stress for both pets and owners.

“If owners can plan ahead, they can tour facilities and, knowing their pet, determine if the facility will meet their pet’s needs,” Ray said.

Ray encourages owners to match the facility to their pet’s personality. For example, a high-energy dog may benefit from outdoor access or structured play, while a shy cat may need a quieter area away from heavy activity.

“Most cats don’t want to look at one another,” Ray said. “Do the kennels or cat towers have places where my cat can hide or feel safe? Is there a quieter spot off, ideally a designated cat area, to one side of the building where my cat can stay? These are important questions for owners to ask.”

If a facility is not open to questions and tours, that may be an important sign for owners.

“They should be proud of their facility,” Ray said. “Owners should be able to observe the facility’s cleanliness, organization and daily routines.”

Vaccination requirements are another key consideration.

“If vaccines are not requested, that concerns me,” Ray said. “Because group settings increase the risk of disease transmission, vaccines are essential.”

Before boarding, Ray also recommends checking in with your regular veterinarian — especially if your pet is elderly, medically fragile or highly anxious — to discuss recommendations and determine if boarding is a safe option and if additional precautions should be made.

Recognizing Stress After Boarding

After picking your pet up from a boarding facility, it’s important to know that pets commonly go through a short period of readjustment after boarding — they may want extra attention, sleep more or take a day to settle back into their routine.

However, persistent or severe signs — such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, lethargy or significant behavior changes — should not be ignored.

“Listen to your gut,” Ray said. “If you feel like something’s wrong with your animal, it’s worth making a phone call or having your pet seen by your veterinarian.”

Boarding doesn’t have to be stressful for owners or their pets. By planning ahead, choosing the right facility and keeping your pet’s needs in mind, owners can have an enjoyable trip, without worrying about their furry companions, and return home to a happy and healthy pet.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to vmbs-editor@tamu.edu.