It’s definitely true that pets are part of the family. With their unique quirks, personalities and unconditional love for us, they become another cherished member of the family incredibly quickly. Sometimes though, it’s just not feasible to take our furry family members on holiday with us – even if we’d very much like to!
Therefore, you likely won’t want to spend your holiday worrying about how your beloved dog or cat is doing without you. Sometimes it’s difficult to find a friend or family member to feed and give your pet attention he or she requires whilst you’re away, especially if it’s for a long duration.
If you’re looking for a cattery near rhyl or a boarding kennels near rhyl – look no further than Hafod-Y-Bryn. We understand animals, and all of their unique requirements. We take the time to fuss, play and get to know your pets during their time away from you, so we can give them the optimal care possible.
Before taking your cat to a cattery, here are some steps to make the process easier for both of you:
- We all enjoy home comforts whilst we’re away. Take your cat’s favourite toys to the cattery for him/her to play with. Cat’s noses are incredibly sensitive and familiar smells can be very comforting for them, especially in a new environment. Taking blankets or pet beds that your cat is familiar with is also a great option.
If your cat has a special diet, ensure you let the cattery know. If your cat has overindulged in recent years and has been told to diet by the vet, bag up the portion sizes for each meal separately or provide the cattery with a measured scoop to ensure they receive the right amount each day. Tag each of these bags with your cat’s name and your surname for added certainty.
- Provide the cattery with more than one emergency contact number. Choose friends or family members who could reach the cattery quickly, such as those who live close by or have access to their own vehicle.
If you’ll be taking your dog to a kennels soon, here’s some additional advice:
- Visit the kennels before paying for your dog to go there. Getting a feel for the place and seeing how the other dogs are exercised and looked after gives you peace of mind whilst you’re away. It’s also a great idea to take your dog along with you, so he/she can get used to the employees and smells of the place before staying there.
- If you do take your dog along to a visit, take some treats with you and give them to him/her whilst you’re there. Your dog will positively associate the place with receiving treats! If your dog is of a particularly nervous disposition, it may be worth asking if you can take a walk around the place more than once. The more times you visit, the less your dog will feel anxious when the day comes for him/her to stay.
Let the kennels know how much exercise your dog needs. Older dogs often suffer from mobility issues and therefore do not require as much exercise each day. A good kennel will exercise dogs multiple times a day, should they require it.
- Ensure that your dog is fully vaccinated before taking them to a kennel. A short trip to the vets before your holiday can make it safer for all of the dogs in the kennels.
It goes without saying that you’ll miss your beloved cat or dog whilst you’re away. At Hafod-Y-Bryn, we’re happy to send you updates and photographs of your pet to show how well they’ve settled in with us!
