What Vaccines Do Dogs Need for Boarding?

What Vaccines Do Dogs Need for Boarding? (Vet Guide)

An ideal dog boarding facility can keep your dog safe and happy when you are unable to spend time with him. You can enjoy your vacations by boarding your dog and taking care of certain aspects such as the vaccination status.

Nowadays, dog boarding facilities are equipped with all the dog-friendly amenities. They will ensure your furry friend stays in a friendly environment. At the same time, a complete vaccination record is required by dog boarding services for the safety of your dog.

If you are planning to move to another location, you must be searching for a reputable dog boarding service. In this case, learning about the boarding requirements is of utmost necessity for every dog owner.

Why Vaccination is Important for Dogs in Boarding?

Just like in humans, every dog owner needs to follow a recommended dog vaccination schedule. Vaccination not only protects your dog from catching harmful and life-threatening diseases but also ensures the safety of the other dogs in boarding.

In almost every US state, it is now recommended by the law that all dogs must be vaccinated. Dog boarding is a complete setup where dogs can interact with each other and play. The addition of a dog that is unvaccinated and a disease carrier can spread the infection to other dogs.

You are required to check with your veterinarian regarding the updated vaccination record of your fur buddy. It is also advised to take your dog to a veterinarian for a complete physical examination before you head out to a dog boarding facility.

Which Vaccines Are Required by Dog Boarding Service?

At your preferred dog boarding service, your dog needs to have an updated vaccination status. A vaccine is a combination of weakened or killed viruses administered for immunization in dogs.

In the case of your pooch, there are several viruses he needs to be protected from. The vaccination of dogs protects them from 7 types of pathogens that cause deadly diseases. Moreover, these diseases are highly contagious and spread to other dogs in no time.

Here are the common vaccines that are required to board your dog at a safe dog boarding service. 

Canine DHPPi Vaccine

DHPPi is a core vaccine for dogs that is administered as soon as the dog is 3 weeks old. It is a combined vaccine that contains prevention against four main viral diseases; Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza.

After the initial dose, your dog is required to get an annual booster shot every year. The booster shot helps to sustain the immunity for life in dogs. All of the diseases mentioned above are highly contagious and life-threatening for the dogs.

As the diseases which this vaccine is against, are highly fatal, dog boarding services need to maintain the vaccination screening. The arrival of a single carrier dog can spread the infection leading to a viral outbreak in the whole boarding facility.

Therefore, it is mandatory to follow the vaccination schedule of DHPPi for every dog owner. Besides, you need to show proof of vaccination in case you are going to avail of the dog boarding service for your buddy.

Canine Rabies Vaccine

To make every country rabies-free, rabies vaccination is required by state laws. In the US, dog boarding and dog grooming businesses take special screening and precautions concerning rabies vaccination.

Rabies is a deadly disease and all the infected dogs and humans don’t have any chance of survival. It is spread by the bite of an infected animal and its vaccination is strictly mandatory for every pet handler, veterinarian, and the dog itself.

Like DHPPi, Rabies vaccination also needs to be repeated on an annual basis. The frequency of the repeat booster is dependent on the vaccine manufacturer. Some manufacturer’s vaccines can provide immunity for one year before the booster while others can provide it for 2 to 3 years.

Leptospira Vaccine

Combined with the DHPPi and Rabies, the complete vaccine shot contains the Leptospira pathogen. Leptospirosis is a severe dog disease that affects the kidneys and overall body systems such as the liver.

Leptospira is a bacterium that spreads from one infected dog to another. Therefore, its vaccine is required each year and is necessary to get a boarding pass for your pooch. Usually, the Leptospira vaccine is combined with other dog vaccines as a single shot of DHPPi-LR.

Kennel Cough Vaccine

Apart from the DHPPi-LR, the kennel cough vaccine comes under the category of non-core vaccines. What this means is it is an optional choice and required only in regions with high prevalence of kennel cough disease.

The name ‘Kennel Cough’ is given to a respiratory disease caused by the bacteria “Bordetella bronchoseptica’. These bacteria reside in the upper respiratory tract of dogs and cause excessive dry cough. If you are living in a kennel cough endemic region, your dog requires this vaccine with a yearly booster.

Is Your Dog Ready for Boarding?

The benefits of dog boarding can be utilized if your dog complies with the environment there. Dog boarding services are available in multiple formats such as in-home, luxury, and in the form of dog sitters.

All of these types require your dog to stay friendly in a comfortable environment. Aggressive dogs are best to be placed in kennels where the interaction with other dogs is limited. To avoid any uncertain incident and illness, vaccination is necessary for every dog.

Additionally, each dog possesses a different set of behaviors and personalities. Some dogs do well in multi-dog boarding setups while others are reluctant. If your dog has a shy nature or doesn’t get used to boarding easily, you need to give him some time before boarding.

It is recommended to choose a boarding setup that can provide you with updates while your dog stays there. You can occasionally visit your dog in the boarding setup to make sure he is doing well and is comfortable with other dogs.

Dog Boarding Considerations After Vaccine

Alright! Now you successfully vaccinated your dog from a veterinarian and want to board your dog. Making your dog ready for boarding requires some early preparation and know-how of the boarding service you are trusting for your dog.

Importance of Knowing Dog Boarding Policies

The first thing is to thoroughly read about the boarding policies of the respective dog boarding service. Almost every facility has a specific set of defined policies regarding the boarding process and what to expect for your dog at the boarding facility.

That includes the resting, playing, and feeding routines the staff will offer. Knowing these policies will help you choose a boarding setup that is ideal and best fit for your dog. The boarding facility you choose should be sufficient to handle emergencies and medication provision in dogs.

Check the Boarding Facility Before Dog Boarding

It is also important to visit the boarding setup before bringing your dog to the first place. This will give you a thorough insight into the staff, their amenities, and number of housed dogs. If your dog is shy or feels stressed in crowded places, you may want to reconsider your decision.

Additionally, hygiene is a big issue in dog boarding services with overcrowded kennels. Even if every dog is vaccinated, an unhygienic boarding facility is a birthplace for contamination and diseases.

Act Natural During the Boarding Process

Managing your emotional attachment is a big thing for you and your dog. Dogs have an amazing sense of knowing if their owners are happy, sad, or stressed. They are highly sensitive and will get depressed if you reflect your emotions on them before leaving them in boarding.

Therefore, it is advised to stay calm and in a playful mood when you bring your dog to a boarding service. Keep the dog fresh and playing and interact with him like he is in your home. This way, your dog will not feel overwhelmed and stressed when you leave him for a few days.

Take Enough Time Before Finalizing Dog Boarding

Choosing a compatible dog boarding service may take time as you need to evaluate all the aspects. No boarding service is perfect and you need to find the one which is suitable for your dog in terms of comfort and amenities provided.

Final Words

To get the most out of a boarding service, you need to follow their guidelines regarding vaccination. An updated vaccination record is compulsory for the entry of your fur buddy in a reputable boarding facility.

Whether you want to go to board your dog or not, vaccination is mandatory for every dog. These vaccines protect the dog against different viral and bacterial diseases such as distemper, herpes, parvovirus, parainfluenza, Leptospira, and Rabies.

Before proceeding to board your dog, visit your concerned veterinarian to update the complete vaccination record of the dog. This will ensure the safety of your dog and every other one at the boarding facility. Besides, your dog will live some of the best moments of his life without catching any illness at the boarding service.