Can I board my pet with their favorite toys or bedding?

This is an excellent and very common question from pet owners. The short answer is yes, in most reputable boarding facilities, you are encouraged to bring your pet's favorite toys and bedding. These familiar items can be instrumental in reducing stress and helping your dog or cat feel more at home in a new environment. However, there are important considerations and facility policies to understand to ensure your pet's safety and comfort.

The Benefits of Familiar Items

Bringing personal items is more than just a comfort; it's a tool for well-being. A 2019 study in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science highlighted that environmental enrichment, including access to familiar objects, can significantly reduce stress behaviors in kenneled dogs. For cats, a familiar blanket or bed that carries the scent of home can provide a profound sense of security in a confined space. These items act as a tangible link to you and their normal routine, easing the transition into our care.

Important Safety and Policy Considerations

While we welcome these items, every professional facility must have guidelines in place to ensure the safety of all animals in our care. When you pack for your pet's stay, please keep the following in mind:

Durability and Safety: Toys should be robust and unable to be torn apart or ingested. We typically cannot accept toys with squeakers that can be removed, stuffed toys that can be disemboweled, or any items with ribbons, strings, or small, chewable parts that pose a choking hazard.
Cleanliness: All bedding and soft toys must be machine washable. Accidents happen, and facilities need to maintain a hygienic environment. Please ensure items are clean upon arrival.
Size and Appropriateness: Extremely large beds that don't fit standard kennels or runs may not be practical. Similarly, we advise against bringing irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind items or expensive bedding that could be damaged, as even with the best care, wear and tear can occur.
Facility-Provided Alternatives: Many high-quality kennels and catteries provide their own sanitized bedding, raised cots, and a selection of safe, durable toys. This is often to guarantee a consistent, clean, and hazard-free environment. In such cases, your pet's items might be used only during specific supervised playtimes.

How to Prepare for Your Pet's Stay

To make the process smooth and safe, we recommend taking these steps:

Consult Directly with the Facility: Always ask about their specific policy on personal items before you pack. This is the most important step.
Label Everything: Clearly label all toys, blankets, and beds with your pet's name using a permanent marker or sew-on tag.
Limit the Quantity: Bring one or two favorite toys and one piece of bedding. A small, scent-filled blanket is often more effective and manageable than a large bed.
Consider the Item's Purpose: A Kong toy stuffed with frozen treats can provide hours of positive engagement. A worn t-shirt with your scent can be more comforting than a new toy.

Our primary goal is to ensure your pet has a safe, happy, and healthy stay. By working together and understanding these guidelines, we can use your pet's favorite comforts to create a more positive boarding experience, giving you greater peace of mind while you are away.