What’s the difference between doggie daycare and a boarding facility?
Some of the most common questions that I get asked is what's the difference between doggie daycare and a boarding facility? Nowadays a lot of places do both but generally, a doggie daycare facility will take care of your pet during the day, allow them to play with their friends, get some exercise out, potty breaks, things like that. And a boarding facility keeps your pets for overnight and for longer periods of time. But many places, and I know there's quite a few locally here around our area, that do both. So they get that daycare experience where they're playing with their friends, getting lots of exercise outside, things like that. And then they are kept overnight, fed, given any medications that are necessary, things like that.
What’s the difference between doggie daycare and a boarding facility?
Some of the most common questions that I get asked is what's the difference between doggie daycare and a boarding facility? Nowadays a lot of places do both but generally, a doggie daycare facility will take care of your pet during the day, allow them to play with their friends, get some exercise out, potty breaks, things like that. And a boarding facility keeps your pets for overnight and for longer periods of time. But many places, and I know there's quite a few locally here around our area, that do both. So they get that daycare experience where they're playing with their friends, getting lots of exercise outside, things like that. And then they are kept overnight, fed, given any medications that are necessary, things like that.
What’s the dog's day like at a boarding facility?
Other questions I get asked is what's the dog's day like at a boarding facility? And every facility is different but some of those that have that combo, they'll generally get their morning meals, get walked, and then kind of midday, usually through the mid-afternoon, they get to play outside in a yard if it's a facility that also includes daycare. They will get usually an evening meal and then walked again and then in for the evening. Depending on the facility and depending on if this is important to you, you can ask about is there somebody there overnight? Not every facility has somebody there at all hours. So if that is important to you, you have an elderly pet, something may happen, or a super young pet, or something could happen and you would prefer someone to be there watching them the entire time, 24 hours a day, then make sure you ask those questions when you are getting to know a facility.
What if my pet needs medication while at the boarding facility?
If you have a pet that needs medication, say a diabetic or they're on oral thyroid meds, skin medications, what have you, again make sure you ask that. Most facilities will give medications, especially if they're oral, but not all will give injectable medications like say for a diabetic. So make sure that you ask before you are bringing your pet to a boarding facility if they need those medications, if that facility is willing to give those medications.
How do you know if a facility is reputable?
And then how do you know if your facility is reputable? So asking at your veterinary office. Most veterinary offices know at least a few great places in your area and they can recommend those to you. Ask your neighbor of course. Getting a personal recommendation from somebody is always gonna be better than reading online, but you could also then go out online and look at reviews and see what are the reasons people are recommending or not recommending a facility. And then as far as I know all of ours in our area do, and I'm sure in your area do as well, you can always ask for a tour. Seeing is believing. So going, touring the facility, seeing how everybody interacts at that place, how the animals are there, can also be a great indicator of whether that's a place that you want to bring your pet to spend the night.
So if you have questions about boarding facilities in our area, we are here in the Lakewood Ranch, Florida, Sarasota, Florida area, give us a call. We can recommend some great facilities here. If you have questions on just how to pick a place, of course, let us know. If you need to have your vaccine so you can board, because that is another great thing to think about, we can take care of that for you here. You can call make an appointment at University Animal Clinic anytime. If you have questions that you want answered, leave them below.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (941) 253-5218, or you can email us at staff@uacvet.com. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram