Medical Pet Boarding for Dogs & Cats

Leaving your pet behind when you have to travel can be stressful, especially if your dog or cat requires extra attention due to medical concerns. That's where medical boarding comes in. 

Overnight Pet Care Options

If you are going to be gone for a prolonged period of time and you can’t take your pet with you, there are 3 standard categories of pet care: sitting, pet boarding, and medical pet boarding.

Pet Sitter

Pet sitting is much like having a babysitter for humans. Your pet sitter can be a professional that your hire or a friend or family member. The level of service from a pet server can vary. The primary role of a sitter is to have to check on your pet periodically and dispense food, take care of their bathroom breaks, and provide social playtime.

Pet Boarding

Pet boarding is a service where you take your pets to be taken care of. You may be more familiar with the other name for pet boarding which is a kennel. In recent years the level of service available has increased significantly. Some places are bare bones and will take care of the essential needs of your pet, while others are more like going to summer camp with a range of activities to keep them occupied, and others are more like spas for pets to be pampered to their heart's content. Since service can vary we recommend that pet owners check out any facility to make sure it is where they would like to leave their pet.

Medical Pet Boarding

Medical pet boarding is similar to standard pet boarding with an added perk. Medical pet boarding comes with the supervision of a vet and their staff.

Which Pets Need Medical Boarding

Pets that are that should be cared for in a facility that offers medical boarding are those with pre-existing conditions, extremely young pets, and senior pets.

Medical boarding is for pets that may need extra care or have existing medical conditions. A pet sitter or normal boarding facility may not be trained in the proper way to administer medications, especially if it involves needles. This is a major advantage of medical boarding; the staff is trained professionals that can understand your pet's medical history and give medication and adjust doses if there are issues. They also know what symptoms to watch for based on your pet's medical condition/history.

Requirements for Medical Pet Boarding

Most regular pet boarding requires that the pet being boarded is vaccinated with a list of required vaccines. They will also state whether or not you are allowed to bring toys, bedding, or food for your pet. With most medical boarding the rule still holds for the vaccination requirement but double-check with them to see what their policy for vaccination is for pets being medically boarded.

While locations may allow toys and bedding from home for pets under normal boarding circumstances they may or may not allow it for the pet that is being medically boarded, for the reason of keeping the environment hygienic. Double-check the specifics of the policies on medical boarding at your chosen boarding facility.

You will be expected to bring any medication your pets in currently prescribed. It is often recommended that you bring your pet's own food, especially if it is a prescribed diet from your vet.

Medical Boarding for Cats & Dogs in Bartlett

At  Hillcrest Animal Hospital our team of dedicated staff understands how stressful it can be when you need to leave your pet, and we're here to help put your mind at ease.

With our overnight dog boarding and cat boarding in Bartlett, we strive to be a welcoming and comfortable home away from home for your pets while you're away.

We provide much more than your average kennels and dog runs. We're serious animal lovers, and we give animals all the love and attention they deserve while they're staying with us.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Looking for medical boarding in the Greater Memphis area for your pet? Contact Hillcrest Animal Hospital today to learn more about boarding your four-legged family member with us.