Our Health Category

Every pet owner has to face the possibility of boarding his or her animal at one time or another. But this prospect makes some pet owners anxious – how do you know if they’re treating your dog well? How do you find the best boarding kennel?

Here are some tips and ideas on what to look for in a top boarding kennel for your fur baby.

Determine What’s Important to You

Pet owners have different ideas about how their pets should be treated; what’s important to one pet owner may not be to another. This depends on factors such as pet temperament, owner expectations, physical characteristic (such as long hair), breed of pet, etc. So sit down and make a list of what matters to you in a boarding kennel. Maybe it’s daily exercise, how much freedom the pets have, or the kennel’s grooming practices.

Visit

If possible, visit a prospective boarding kennel unannounced. Just walk in and look for some key characteristics, such as:

* Is there a staff person available?
* How does the staff act toward your dog? Do they greet him/her? Do they have a nice way with your pet?
* Are staff members willing to answer your questions and take you on a tour of the facility?
* Take a look at the pets that are there – although some pets are anxious no matter what kind of care they receive, look around and see if, overall, the pets seem happy and content.
* Look to see if the pets have plenty of water and food.
* Especially look for sanitary conditions. Cat boxes should be clean, and dogs’ kennels should not have feces or urine in them.
* Look for adequate ventilation and light.
* Are the cats kept well away from the dogs? Cats can get very anxious if they are constantly subjected to the sounds, sights, and smells of dogs.
* How does it smell? A clean, well-kept kennel should not reek.
* The facility should also not be too cold or too hot, and exercise areas should have a weather-protected option in case of rain or snow.

What to Ask

Here are some things you might consider asking the staff about their kennel.

* If pets get severely anxious, what will you do?
* What is your protocol in case of illness or injury of the pet?
* Do you have a vet on site? If not, what vet do you use?
* Do you provide special foods for pets with food allergies? If not, may I provide my pet’s food and treats?
* How often are the pets exercised?
* How often are the kennel areas cleaned?

Cost

Like hotels, some kennels are going to have more amenities and therefore cost more. But others cost a lot without offering any extras, so make sure you do some price comparison. Here are some things to keep in mind as you compare prices.

* Do you charge for a full day if I pick my pet up in the morning?
* Are you closed Sundays?
* Do you provide toys, blankets and bed, or do I need to provide those?
* May I offset the cost by providing my pet’s food and treats?

 
The concept of the family meal seems to be something that belongs in and to the past. Interest in this tradition, however, is reviving, especially as research continues to point to the benefits of family meals.
What is the big deal about family meals, anyway? Are they really important? The research would suggest yes, they are. [...]

 
Many people have no idea what to do with eggplants. The deep purple color and shiny skin are attractive, but what exactly to do with this funny-shaped vegetable?
First, let’s take a look at the healthful properties of eggplant.
Eggplants are in season from August to October, and are relatively easy to grow in a home garden. [...]

 
Even if you are not overly busy, the task of planning and preparing meals can get overwhelming. But for moms who are busy – and which one’s aren’t?? – planning a weekly or daily menu can seem nearly impossible.
The good news is, you can address this task of meal preparation and make it possible. Here [...]

 
There is beginning to be an emphasis not only on families cooking and eating at home, but also on teaching children to cook. It’s actually very empowering for your kids to learn how to cook; it’s a step toward independence, and they will take those skills with them throughout their lives.
For younger kids, you’ll want [...]

 
The importance of chromium in the diet is becoming more and more well known, and many people would like to know what foods contain this mineral. Because chromium levels fluctuate even within the same foods (one batch of broccoli, for instance, may be higher in chromium than another batch), it may be a good idea [...]

 
The “sandwich generation” has a particular challenge: managing aging parents at the same time as they are raising small children. And usually, working full- or part-time is thrown into the juggling act, too. In past generations, this was not so much of an issue, primarily for two reasons: people did not live as long, and [...]