Holiday pet boarding checklist: what to ask, pack and prepare

Traveling for the holidays and can't bring your pet? Boarding can be a great option: trained staff, a secure space and, for many dogs, lots of company. The key is planning ahead. Holiday weeks are the busiest of the year for boarding facilities, and most need vaccine records before they'll accept a booking.

If you're still deciding between boarding and a sitter, see our guide to choosing a pet sitter. Many cats, senior pets and anxious pets do better at home.

Boarding or a sitter?

	Boarding	Pet sitter at home
Best for	Social dogs, pets who need supervision around the clock, homes that can't host a sitter	Cats, seniors, anxious pets, multi-pet homes
Pros	Staff on site, secure space, often play time	Familiar home, own routine, no new germs
Watch for	Noise, stress, contagious coughs, holiday surcharges	Less supervision between visits, trust and keys

6 to 8 weeks before: book and tour

• Book early. Popular places often fill up weeks or even months before Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ask about minimum stays, holiday surcharges and holiday drop-off and pick-up hours.
• Tour in person. Look for clean, dry kennels, fresh water, secure fencing and doors, and calm, attentive staff. A good place is happy to show you where your pet will sleep.
• Ask the right questions (list below).
• Book a trial. A day of daycare or a single night is the best way to see how your pet copes before a long holiday stay.

Questions to ask on the tour

1. Is someone on site overnight?
2. Which vet do you use for emergencies, and will you call my vet?
3. How often are dogs taken out, and is group play optional?
4. Can I bring my pet's own food? Will you give medicines, and is there a fee?
5. Are cats housed away from dogs?
6. Which vaccines and parasite prevention do you require, and when must they be given?
7. Do you send updates or photos?
8. What is the full price, including holiday fees, extra play time and medication?

3 to 4 weeks before: vaccines and records

Requirements vary, so ask the facility for its exact list. Common requirements include:

• Dogs: rabies, DHPP (distemper-parvo combination) and Bordetella (kennel cough). Some places also ask for canine influenza.
• Cats: rabies and FVRCP.
• Flea and tick prevention, and sometimes a recent fecal test.

Many facilities want vaccines given at least several days to two weeks before the stay, so don't leave it to the last minute. Ask your vet for printed or emailed records, and keep a copy in one place. Our guide to keeping vaccine records shows a simple system, and our printable pet health record keeps every date on one page.

The week before: pack

• Food: your pet's usual food, measured into daily bags, plus two extra days in case of travel delays. A sudden food change can upset the stomach.
• Medicines in the original labeled containers, with clear written instructions (what, how much, when).
• A one-page care sheet: feeding amounts, allergies, habits, fears and anything that helps your pet relax.
• Contacts: your phone number, a local backup person and your vet's name and number.
• Collar with an ID tag, and a leash for drop-off.
• A small comfort item, like a T-shirt that smells like you. Pick something washable that you won't mind losing.

Check with the facility before packing beds, bowls or toys. Many provide their own, and rules differ. Our pet sitter checklist covers what to write on the care sheet, and it works just as well for boarding.

Help your pet get ready

A little practice makes the first night much easier, especially for pets who have never stayed away from home.

• Practice short separations. Leave your pet with a friend, at daycare or alone at home for short, positive stretches in the weeks before.
• Get used to a crate or kennel if the facility uses one. Meals and treats in the crate help it feel normal.
• Keep the routine steady. Avoid changing food, grooming products or medicines right before the stay unless your vet advises it.
• Book grooming before, not during. If your dog needs a bath or nail trim, doing it a few days before drop-off keeps things simple.

Special cases

• Puppies: ask whether the facility accepts puppies who haven't finished their vaccine series. Many don't, so check your puppy's schedule with your vet first.
• Seniors and pets with health conditions: ask who gives medicines, how they watch for changes and whether a vet is on call. A quieter room away from busy play areas can help. For some seniors, a sitter at home or a vet-run boarding service is a better fit.
• Anxious pets: talk to your vet ahead of time. A trial stay, a comfort item and a quieter setup can all help.
• Multi-pet homes: ask whether pets from the same family can share a room, and whether that costs less.

Red flags on a tour

Trust your instincts. Walk away if the facility won't let you see where pets sleep, doesn't ask for vaccine records, smells strongly of urine, has dirty water bowls, or can't tell you who is there overnight and which vet they use in an emergency.

Drop-off day

• Exercise your dog before drop-off, so they arrive a little tired.
• Keep goodbyes short and cheerful. Long, emotional goodbyes can make pets more anxious.
• Confirm your pick-up time, holiday hours and the best number to reach you.

Coming home

Many pets come home tired, thirsty and a bit overexcited. Offer water in small amounts at first, keep the first day quiet and go back to your normal routine. Mild tiredness or a softer stool for a day can happen after the excitement. Call your vet if you notice coughing, not eating, vomiting, diarrhea that lasts more than a day, or anything that worries you.

Budget for it

Boarding costs add up over a long holiday: nightly rates, holiday surcharges, extra play time, medicines and a pre-trip vet visit for vaccines. Add them to your yearly plan with our free pet cost calculator, or see how to budget for a pet.

Questions people ask

The Paw Plan shares general information, not veterinary advice. Every pet is different, so check with your vet about your pet's health, diet and care.