Due to their ages, different pets have different nutritional needs. Thus, always inspect your pet's food. For instance, if you have an obese dog, purchasing foods that account for weight management could help him to shed a few pounds. Talk to your vet about changing your pet's diet, if necessary. Also, pay attention to food portions.
Although most owners like feeding table scrap treat to their pets, this is not a good practice. Purchase healthy treats for your dog. Also, purchase a cutesy little treat jar and fill it up with plenty of those healthy treats. Make sure that your pet's treats are healthy ones.
There are so many new pet activities that you and your pet can enjoy together. For instance, have you considered hiking with your pet, or even taking up paddle boarding? Also, research pet-friendly activities that take place within your community. Remember, the goal is to pick something that you can stick with and enjoy on a regular basis. Not only will you bond with your pet, but it will also provide you with plenty of healthy exercises.
Your pet would probably love a couple of new toys. Try to get ones that help stimulate the brain and get him moving. For instance, purchase a new fetch toy for your pet. It has been proven that stimulating the brain can help to slow down the aging process in pets. Consider the Trixie Chess Game Toy or even the Whisker City Catnip Cyclone Toy.
Learning new tricks is just as enjoyable as getting new toys. It can also be very stimulating and satisfying. PetSmart has a tricking training program that can help your dog learn new tricks. He can learn skills such as rolling over, crawling, taking a bow or even giving a high five.
PetSmart also has a way for you and your dog to get involved in the community. Their Dog Therapy Training trains your dog on how to give emotional support in locations such as community centers, schools, and hospitals.
Get out there and be sociable during the New Year! Schedule a play date with your friend and his pet. A day in the park would probably do you some good. Consider registering your pet for Doggie Day Camp. It allows both you and your pet to make new friends. However, make sure that your pet is sociable before signing him up for social play dates. If he is willing to play nicely with other dogs and listens to all of your commands, then he is probably ready to get out into the social world.
It is suggested that your pet goes to a professional groomer at least every four to six weeks. Between visits, make sure you use a pet appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste to keep his teeth clean and healthy. Also, don't forget to purchase a high-quality rubber brush to brush his coat so that it is invigorated and free of shedding hair. Also, don't forget the cotton balls and ear cleaners for his ears.
Your pet's vaccinations should always be kept up to date. Unfortunately, a lot of infectious diseases are running rampant throughout the United States this year. These include things such as Lyme disease and Canine Influenza. Keep in mind that prevention of such diseases costs less than treating them.
Make sure your pet is protected from parasites such as intestinal worms, ticks, and fleas. PetSmart has plenty of online pharmacy products that can help with this situation. Not only are they safe, but they are also beneficial. But remember, there isn't just one product that can provide pet parasite protection.
Speak with your vet to find out which parasites are common in your area. Ask for recommended products and their dosages. For instance, cat owners might want to consider products such as the Seresto Collar and Advantage. Dog owners might like using products such as Nexgard and Interceptor Plus.
Las Vegas Dog Resort
6810 W. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 560-7387
There is little doubt that the giant bunny which was found lifeless earlier this week in the trans-Atlantic United Airlines cargo area, was probably not the first to experience this tragedy.
The good news is that there are guidelines provided by federal agencies to help assist in keeping the animals involved as safe as possible.
Take a look now at some positive suggestions for pet owners in how best to keep pets safe when they are flying:
You should be aware that even though it is mandated by the Department of Agriculture just which animals may be transported on airline flights, the individual carrier involved may have different rules in place on their agenda.
With some breed restrictions, American Airlines only permits dogs and cats on their flights. United Airlines permits domesticated dogs, cats, household birds and rabbits to travel in the cabin, as long as they are accompanied.
Animals flying in the cargo area of the planes is not permitted by several carriers including Southwest Airlines and JetBlue. However, JetBlue does permit small dogs and cats who weigh less than 20 pounds, with their carrier weight included, to travel in the cabin with their owners at the cost of $100 one-way fee per pet. That same policy is also permitted by Southwest, at the expense of $95 one way.
Because they guide people with disabilities and are not considered pets, service animals are supposed to be exempt from these restrictions.
Depending on which airline will be involved and just how the animal is going to be transported, prices will vary.
On American Airlines, for pets brought into the cabin, there will be a charge of $125. For those pets that are checked, the prices can range up to $200 per kennel.
A range of prices are charged on United Airlines, and these will depend on the animal's size, where they are placed on board and where they are headed. This range may go anywhere from $200 to $2000.
On Delta Airlines, the rates involved are going to range somewhere between $75 and $200.
When the subject turns to service animals, be aware that they will fly for free!
Even though it is mostly considered to be safe to travel with animals, the U.S. Department of Transportation has provided information for the year 2016 reporting that 26 animals died and 22 were injured in the course of their flights. Of course, those numbers are indeed sad, but on the other side is the more optimistic point that these numbers translate to one death per every 10,000 animals that were transported that year.
Of all 17 airlines which were included in the report, the highest injury rate of all was attributed to United Airlines with nine deaths and fourteen injuries suffered by their over 100,000 animals transported in 2016!
In the report, some of the injuries are detailed. It tells us that the majority of these were in fact self-inflicted. In the case of the deaths, the majority of these were due in fact to natural causes. The report also states how so many of the incidents involved were truly minor ones. An example of this pointed out involved a boxer by the name of Phoebe, on April 5, 2016. Phoebe was said to have cut her paw, after escaping from her crate. She was then taken and returned at the point of origin to her owner before being shipped on United. The report goes on to state that "no veterinary care was in fact requested or required" and that there were no further corrective actions taken. With these pet-related incidents, this is most often the case.
United Airlines did have the highest death rate in the year 2015 and the second highest in the year 2016. For every 10,000 animals, the rate decreased to 2.11 from 2.37 the previous year.
Hawaiian Airlines registered three deaths for the 7,518 animals that it transported in 2016, making it the one with the highest incident rate of all the airlines. One of those deaths was attributed to heatstroke, while the other two were listed as "unknown." According to the reports, no corrective actions were taken.
The policies of the USDA dictate that animals unaccompanied may be shipped as cargo and those accompanied may be brought as baggage on flights.
One positive suggestion offered by the Department of Transportation(DOT) is to have the owners spend the time needed to get their pets accustomed to and feeling comfortable in their kennels before embarking on the flight.
Another good suggestion is to make certain that for at least six hours before the flight, no solid food is consumed by the pets.
Finally, before giving the pets any sedatives, owners should always consult with a vet first!
Las Vegas Dog Resort
6810 W. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 560-7387
It can be a difficult feat to travel with a dog; however, with a bit of training, you will master this activity in no time.
Almost anyone must have a ton of resilience to fend off a woman who has wanted something for seven long years. That is why I tip my hat to my significant other, who, for seven years has managed to resist my constant pleas for a puppy.
He put up an intense fight but eventually caved in a little over a year ago, and now we have welcomed our springer spaniel, Arlo, into the family.
You could say this has taken a bit of adjusting to our lifestyle. Or maybe it would be a bit more honest to say it made a complete lifestyle overhaul. For anyone wondering why this is the case, it is merely the fact that Arlo is always with us, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Did I forget to mention that he's always there? People claim having a dog prepares you for having kids one day, and some even go as far as to say children are less challenging to care for than dogs. Yes, they also say that to my face.
Regardless of our individual opinions on that subject, if you are like me, you may not know what to do about Rover when planning a vacation, mainly if you must spend a significant amount of time in the car. Of course, you probably cannot picture a family outing without him. I did mention that once you have a dog, he is there 24/7, right? So, since he is your baby, it would be difficult to enjoy a holiday of which he was not apart.
Over the last year, we have worked out a few things to make sure we can have a holiday that is both pet-friendly and stress-free. Similar to what they say about children, it is all about compromise and planning.
You should do a trial run before you head out on vacation. It may sound a bit over the top, but I can honestly say that the only reason our road trip was successful was that Arlo loved the car. In fact, provided he is not in the car for extended periods, and the interior temperature is comfortable, he would not only be happy to curl up for an extensive road trip, but he would also gladly stay in the car after we arrived. Taking the ferry is quite an experience: I do not recommend reserving a kennel, as the dog will be going deaf and sucking up fumes in a rapid manner that way. Instead, choose the car option. It does not cost anything, and Rover will be much more comfortable.
In times past, you could merely go wherever your senses took you, but those carefree days are over once you have a dog. The first thing you will learn is that not everyone loves him as much as you do. In fact, most establishments do not allow pets. Others use the term "pet-friendly," but it is important to ensure you know what that means. In my experience, many places say they are pet-friendly, but what they mean is you must pay an additional fee merely to have your pet stay in the car. Other establishments calling themselves pet-friendly mean you can bring your pet for an additional 50% of your bill, and then he must be confined to a crate. A word to the wise: true pet-friendly establishments do not charge extra for your dog. However, you should contact any hotel or lodge in advance to ensure you know their exact definition of "pet-friendly" before you arrive.
Las Vegas Dog Resort
6810 W. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 560-7387
As a dog owner, it's important to ensure that your furry friend is healthy and protected from potential illnesses. Boarding your dog can be a great option when you need to travel or have other commitments. However, it's crucial to make sure that your dog is up-to-date on their vaccinations before boarding them.
The most common answer amongst dog owners is, “I want my dog to be supervised and stay out of trouble while I am gone”.
Your dog’s reason for wanting dog day care would probably be, “I want to be taken to dog daycare because I get lonely at home, sometimes chew up my owner’s things and I want to be able to play with new and old friends.”
Living in Las Vegas, for example, can make it difficult to simply leave your dog at home because of smaller backyards and the extreme hot of the summer and cold in the winter.
We all know that when a people are asked to give us a reason for why they want what they want… that people rarely know the “true” reason.
For this part, it is important to have a good understanding of what makes your pet happy and not-so-happy. Daycare is almost never recommended for puppies or dogs that have strong behavioral issues. Always consult your vet and the dog facility ahead of time with any questions you may have prior to taking your dog to their first day of doggy day care!
Below are some questions to ask yourself and begin to notice about your dog:
Contact Las Vegas Dog Resort to schedule your dog's next stay!
Travelling is already stressful enough as it is. Having to worry about making accommodations for your dog while you travel can either be made easy or utterly stressful.
You’ve probably already made plans to travel or have even purchased your flight tickets already (can’t blame you since buying plane tickets ahead of time can save you some serious cash) and will likely use some of those savings to board your dog at a local dog boarding hotel.
Boarding your dog, especially if this is the very first time, can be a stressful process while you search and finally decide on a dog boarding hotel of choice. If you need help, finding a dog boarding facility that your dog will love, head on over to our blog and read our Ultimate Guide: Choosing the Right Dog Boarding for your Dog here. Of course, you can always count on LV Dog Resort to take care of your dog as if he or she were their own.
Below are 3 steps that you can take prior to boarding your dog to make your travelling stress and worry-free!
Remember that any dog boarding facility that is worth boarding at, will likely have mandatory vaccinations before your dog can be boarded. The most common vaccinations required by dog boarding facilities are:
Bordetella (kennel cough) is important to mention because it is very common and one of the more common dog illnesses that can be preventable with the vaccine. Dog-to-dog contact is the most common way of transmitting kennel cough. Although kennel cough is not life-threatening, it can eventually develop into a dog’s version of pneumonia which can quickly complicate things.
If your dog is missing any vaccines, they might offer to get them vaccinated for you on your behalf. Be sure to ask about fees ahead of time. (Note: it is recommended that update vaccinations be done 2-4 weeks ahead of time. Otherwise, your dog risks becoming ill during their boarding stay).
Forgetting to do this or ignoring it might leave you in a last minute bind to find a last minute dog boarding facility (this might not be the best place for your dog to stay for a few days or weeks). Don’t end up leaving your dog with a less than good dog boarding facility or your neighbor because you forgot to do this!
As soon as you know when you are set to travel, you should immediately look into your dog’s accommodations. The day that you leave on your flight will be the exact same day that your dog needs to start being taken care of by the dog boarding facility.
Call and make sure to get an email confirmation about your reservation ahead of time especially during peak travel times. Dog boarding space can become limited during peak holiday weekends such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, July 4th, Memorial Day weekend etc. Booking your dog’s boarding stay ahead of time will guarantee that your dog has a safe and caring place to stay at while you are away.
The week before you travel, you should run through everything once more and check that everything is still set as planned. Check that flights won’t be delayed due to weather or other circumstances and check in with your dog boarding facility.
During this, you want to make sure that your dog’s food and feeding schedule has been discussed, medication schedule, contact information while you travel and emergency contact info has been exchanged.
This check-in also gives you an opportunity to bring up any changes regarding your dog such as them recently becoming sick or recent visit to the vet.
Let’s address who this guide is for and who it isn’t for right off the bat.
This guide is for dog owners that know that they want:
Therefore, this guide is written for you, a dog owner, that recognizes that the most important thing when choosing a boarder is that you and your dog are happy! This realization came to me back in 2009 before opening LV Dog Resort in Las Vegas when I myself, boarded my chihuahuas at my trusted vet because boarding choices were limited (luckily things have changed and more dog boarding facilities have popped up in Las Vegas and around the country). I had left town for a family holiday trip that was cut short because I couldn’t bear the thought of my chihuahuas being stuck in a cage for a week. I flew back just so that I could take care of them myself and guarantee that they would both my chihuahuas and I would be happy during the holidays.
There are several ways of finding a dog boarding facility that include both offline and online search methods. Regardless of how you find boarding facilities that make it to the final round, it is important that you do more research so that you can board your dog knowing that they will be safe
If you already have friends or family that own dogs, you are already off to a great start. Simply ask them if they have boarded their dogs at any of the local dog boarding facilities. This is typically the best place to start since their first hand experience can help you narrow boarding facilities down.
What would happen if you found a seemingly great boarding facility that friends or family told you to completely avoid? Of course, with any recommendation you should still do more research about that specific dog hotel and take a tour of the facility if possible
You likely already use social media whether that is Facebook, Twitter, etc so why not use it to get answers from people you might not have thought to ask? The chances that a friend you haven’t been in touch with has gotten a dog and gone through the process of finding a boarding facility on their own. Log onto Facebook or Twitter and post a status update or tweet asking, “What dog boarding facility would you recommend?”
The way I see it, the more suggestions that you can get to narrow it down, the better.
You can also use Google to search using a search like “dog boarding *cityname*”. Back in 2009, typing in “dog boarding las vegas” didn’t yield nearly as many results. You can use this type of search for any city or even use your 5-digit zip code to find only the closest results if distance is a deciding factor for you.
Google Maps and Google+ Local can also help in your search by providing results based on your location and also showing you Google Reviews that Google has compiled from around the web.
Yelp is also worth mentioning since it has been one of the leading business directories that most people use to find their next restaurant, plumber or dog boarding provider.
Note: Yelp has come under fire in past months due to their user-generated review policy. Although negative reviews are typically a sign of poor products or service be careful to not ignore a business because they have a single negative review showing at the top of the page. If you want to get a complete picture of the dog hotel you have pre-selected, you need to read their complete Yelp page to get an idea of what most people’s dog boarding experience has been with that facility.
Tip: Take each review with a grain of salt! Here are 3 things to look at when their is a Yelp review that raises some concerns about the boarding facility.
Most of these things you might not be able to find during your online search and will instead need to physically tour the hotel before making a decision. However, there are dog boarding hotels that make their website or social media pages actually useful for people doing this type of research. My dog boarding website as an example, has actual pictures of the different dog boarding suites, indoor and outdoor play areas so that people can see the hotel before they even visit.
Pictures really are the easiest way to visually scan different dog boarding facilities that have made it up to this point.
You should be able to find pictures of the facility areas, boarding rooms etc on their website.
Note: Make sure that the pictures match up and that the images aren’t stock photos. There are really great stock images out there that could leave you really disappointed when you walk into a facility that looks nothing like what the website showed it as.
A lot of dog boarding facilities that you come across will have very basic websites and this isn’t necessarily a negative. It could very well be the case that they acquire most of their dog boarding customers from offline marketing such as TV, radio or bill boards and therefore the website never became a priority.
There is still a way!
You can usually view a lot more pictures on their Yelp business page that customers have uploaded on their behalf in order to get a better visual of what the facility looks like as a whole.
How big is the community area? Is there even a play area? If you don’t see pictures of an indoor or outdoor play area that might be a clue that your pet might be stuck inside of a kennel during their entire stay.
You should be looking to find whether the facility has indoor and outdoor areas. Indoor areas should be large with plenty of room for the dog to run around. You should check outdoor areas to see that there aren’t any gaps in the wall or fence where your dog, especially if it is a small dog, can run out of.
Most likely, you won’t want your dog sitting in a small cage similar to those found at the found. Look for what the kennel or dog boarding room is made of.
I’d recommend that you find a dog boarding facility that has actual rooms and not just basic fence cages with shared walls. You typically want to avoid fence style kennels since they very often have shared fence walls with other dog guests. It may or may not become an issue but keep in mind that shared fence walls make it easy for your dog and their neighbor to quickly get into a barking competition.
Rooms should have soft bedding or materials that are elevated off the ground to avoid urine or feces coming in contact with their bedding. Rooms should be spacious and should be size appropriate for your dog breed.
Note: Most dog hotels will have different room types and sizes and most offer a “standard room” that should be a good fit for most dogs. If you think that your dog or dogs might need more room during dinner or bedtime, I’d strongly suggest getting a bigger room. Both you and your dog(s) will appreciate it.
Touring the Facility
TIP: You should always tour the facility prior to dropping off your dog at a new dog boarding facility for the first time. Waiting to the last minute to check out the facility might leave you feeling stuck with a facility where your dog won’t be happy at. Do this and avoid worrying and stress during your dog’s boarding time.
Remember: Not all facilities will offer tours but most should be willing. If there is a facility that won’t let you tour the facility proceed with caution. A no tour facility might raise some red flags for dog owners like yourself but there can be some very valid reasons for a limited or no-tour policy. The most important one being the safety and well-being of dog guests at the facility. We all know very well how excited dogs can get when a new human or dog walks in. It also serves to protect staff and the business from liability or potential accidents.
Taste doesn’t really, and shouldn’t, be a sense that you can use to review a facility.
As you go around the hotel touch things to see how they feel for more insight into the level of attention and care that the hotel actively provides
What types of things are most important to you when it comes to finding the right dog boarding facility? Leave a comment below to begin a discussion.
Open 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Daily for Drop off & Pickup
Open 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Daily for Phone Calls
Checkout Times
Boarding: 11:00 AM Daycare: 6:30 PM
