After Boarding: Caring for Your Cat
Bringing your cat home from a boarding facility can be a big change for them. Cats often hide or act aloof after stressful experiences, even though they are happy to be home.
- Keep the environment calm and let your cat approach you on their own. Respect their space if they hide at first.
- Offer familiar bedding, toys, or scratching posts to help them feel secure.
- Watch for sneezing, coughing, or changes in appetite for about 10 days. Cats are sensitive to respiratory viruses after being near other cats.
- Don’t overwhelm your cat with attention—too much noise or handling can make stress last longer.
- Hold off on feeding for about 2 hours after coming home. Small, calm meals work best.
- Avoid letting them drink huge amounts of water all at once. Offer a little at a time.
- Cats often experience quiet stress. They may seem withdrawn or extra clingy. Easing them back gently lowers the risk of tummy upset or stress-related illness.
Boarding: Caring for Your Dog
Dogs are usually very excited to see their owners again after boarding. While this reunion is joyful, dogs need time to calm down before resuming normal routines.
- Greet your dog calmly and give steady affection to help them settle.
- Monitor for coughing, diarrhea, or loss of energy during the first 10 days. Kennel cough and tummy upset are the most common post-boarding issues in dogs.
- Re-establish their normal walking and meal schedule as soon as possible to restore routine.
- Resist playing vigorous fetch, running, or roughhousing right away. Overexcited dogs can strain muscles or upset their stomach.
- Wait at least 2 hours before offering a meal. Start with a smaller portion if they’re still hyper.
- Do not allow free access to a big bowl of water—offer small amounts at a time to prevent vomiting.
- Dogs are high-energy re-adjusters. Their excitement can lead to digestive issues or overexertion. A slow, steady routine helps them transition smoothly.
After Boarding: Caring for Your Exotic Pet
Exotic pets—like rabbits, reptiles, birds, or small mammals—can react differently when they return home. Many of these animals are more sensitive to changes in environment or handling.
- Place them back into their enclosure right away with familiar food, water, and hiding spaces.
- Keep the cage or habitat quiet and in a stable location, away from loud noises or changes in temperature.
- Observe closely for changes in eating, drinking, or activity during the first week at home, since exotic pets may hide illness.
- Avoid excessive handling at first. Stress can impact eating, digestion, or immune health.
- Don’t switch food brands or habitat items right after boarding—consistency is key.
- Limit exposure to other pets in the home until they settle back into their normal behavior.
- Exotics are sensitive to subtle stress. They may stop eating or show quiet signs of illness if their environment doesn’t feel safe. A calm, consistent routine helps them feel secure and recover from travel or boarding stress.