animal care by animal people

<h3>Will my cat stay with other cats?</h3> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img src="https://www.dkc.ae/images/faqs/faq_pet_photo_37.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>Well, yes and no.</p> <p>Your cat will stay in a separate and secure enclosure, so there won't be any other cats in there with him. But because it's a cattery, we obviously have a lot of cats staying in a lot of enclosures, all of which are next to each other. So, although your cat <em>will</em> be in his own enclosure, there will indeed still be lots of other cats around.</p> <p>This said, if you have more than one cat and want them to be in the same enclosure together, then perfect! (Did you know that there's a <a href="/what-we-do/boarding-daycare/prices-admission-requirements" target="_blank">20% discount for buddy-boarding</a>?)</p></div>

<h3>How often will my dog exercise each day and for how long?</h3> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img src="https://www.dkc.ae/images/faqs/faq_40.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>From about end of September to April, all your dogs get into our exercise yards at least 3-4 times a day for a good 15-30 minute romp each time, and if we have your permission they'll be playing with other dogs too. For those dogs with especially high energy levels or any good need for more of this time, or if you ask us to, because the weather is nice we just let 'em stay in the yards for much of the day. Our general approach during the cooler times of the year is to have as many dogs out in the yards as much as possible, which is quite a lot of the time.</p> <p>During the hotter summer months, just as when your dog is home with you, we need to be careful about being outside in the heat for too long. So they all still get out 2-3 times a day but the runs in the yards are for shorter periods of time, as we are very watchful to make sure the heat is not having an impact. And of course we don't leave the dogs out in the yards all day at this time of year for the very same reason.</p> <p>This all said, all our enclosures are indoor/outdoor with a/c, and designed so that all the dogs can see each other, intereact with each other in the general environment, and feel part of the community. So even when they're in their enclosures, they're still very active and generally having a very social time. Read more about this: <a href="/what-we-do/boarding-daycare/love-and-other-stuff-too" target="_blank">Love... and other stuff too</a> ~ take a look at the sub-sections called <a href="/what-we-do/boarding-daycare/love-and-other-stuff-too#Socializing-Dogs" target="_blank">Socializing</a> and <a href="/what-we-do/boarding-daycare/love-and-other-stuff-too#Socializing-Dogs2" target="_blank">Socializing ~ Part 2</a>.</p></div>

<h3>Birds get bored??!</h3> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img src="https://www.dkc.ae/images/faqs/faq_pet_photo_124.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>Yes! Birds get bored!</p> <p>In fact, it's <em>very possible</em> that your bird is getting bored. You see, birds are highly intelligent, especially parrots of all sizes and types, and they truly do thrive with stimulation and interaction. If they don't have enough stimulation, they can become destructive and agitated, including self-destructive in the worst cases, such as plucking their own feathers and going through unwanted and unhealthy personality changes.</p> <p>So please DO take this seriously and make sure that your lovely birdie-bird has an interesting environment to live in, is connected to and engaged with the humanoids in your home, and even has a birdie-partner to live with, if at all possible.</p> <p>Who wants to be alone and bored, right?  <img alt="" src="/graphics/ic_wink.png" height="15" width="15"></p></div>

<h3>My pet is taking medications ~ can DKC Boarding manage this?</h3> <p>As Barack Obama said... YES WE CAN!</p> <p>Just talk to us about it and we'll organise the rest.</p> <p>(Don't like Barack Obama quotes? Oops!)</p>

<h3>What are your enclosures like? What size are they?</h3> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img src="https://www.dkc.ae/images/faqs/faq_34.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>The very best way to answer that question is for you to come meet us and take a look for yourself. In fact, that's what we always really strongly recommend.</p> <p>But that's not always easy to schedule, is it. We know. So you should definitely look at the images <a href="/what-we-do/boarding-daycare/the-kennels-the-catteries-the-kennatteries" target="_blank">here</a> and elsewhere around our site, as well as our video tour <a href="/video-tour" target="_blank">here</a>, because there are lots for you see, and this should help a great deal in understanding what your pet will experience.</p> <p>In short, though, our enclosures are like this:</p> <ul> <li>All our dog enclosures have an indoor and an outdoor run, and almost all our cat enclosures do too, and your pet decides where he or she wants to be. Those few cat enclosures which don't have an outdoor run, we try to reserve for cats which need or like to be inside most of the time anyway.</li> <li>All indoor runs are air-conditioned.</li> <li>Cat enclosures are multi-storied, with shelves and trapdoors and bedding and toys and all.</li> <li>All dog enclosures have various types of comfortable, snuggly bedding.</li> <li>Cat enclosures range in size. The smallest space we have is an indoor portion of a run which is L:0.8m x W:0.8m x H:1m. The largest space we have is an outdoor portion of a run which is L:4.2m x W:1.1m x H:2.2m.</li> <li>Dog enclosures also range in size. Our smallest enclosures are 1.5m x 1.5m both indoor and outdoor. Our largest are 2.2m x 1.8m indoor and 3m x 2.5m outdoor. And there are a couple of sizes in between.</li> </ul></div>

<h3>My dog stayed in your kennels and now he has a hangover!</h3> <p>No, we do <em><strong>not</strong></em> serve alcohol at DKC!  <img alt="" src="/graphics/ic_smiley3.png"></p> <p>"Kennel hangover" is a rather common thing... and a good one, if we do say so ourselves! You see, there is so much activity and general stimulation in a good kennels, that when your dog gets home it is very common for him or her to be a little tired for a couple of days ~ all that running around, socializing and barking their heads off with all their kennel neighbours (watch for that hoarsey-throat! <img alt="" src="/graphics/ic_wink.png" height="15" width="15"> ), and no sitting around vegging in front of the TV!</p> <p>So don't worry but do keep an eye. In almost all cases, this is just a happy, if a little tired, dog. If he or she continues being a little down or lethargic for more than a day or so, please do let us and your vet know. </p>

<h3>I'm a new dog/cat owner! Help! </h3> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img src="https://www.dkc.ae/images/faqs/faq_pet_photo_0.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>Help indeed!</p> <p>Download <a href="/docs/New_Dog_and_Cat_Owners_-_The_Beginnings_of_WISDOM!.pdf" target="_blank">this document</a> ~ it might help you get started.</p></div>

<h3>My cat is an indoor cat. Can she stay indoors and will the space be small?</h3> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img src="https://www.dkc.ae/images/faqs/faq_pet_photo_104.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>Your cat can definitely stay indoors. Our enclosures are not small at all, and if we're not too busy, we have a way of reconfiguring our enclosures to open up spaces and give the cats staying with us more space... than a cow in a field! (Well, sort of. <img alt="" src="/graphics/ic_smiley3.png" height="15" width="15"> )</p></div>

<h3>Should I be worried if my dog or cat has lost or gained weight during their boarding stay?</h3> <p>No and yes, depending.</p> <p>A little bit of weight gain or loss is very common. It doesn't happen to all pets during every stay in a boarding facility, but it does happen. Pet owners, understandably, often immediately feel that this must mean their pet has not been taken care of properly, but in fact it is more important to look at the entire context and the extent of the loss or gain.</p> <p>Commonly, pets staying in a boarding facility are not eating exactly as they do at home. They may or may not be eating exactly the same food (depending on the arrangements you've made with the kennel or cattery), and even if they are, they may not be eating exactly the same amounts because, despite every effort to get it just right, human beings differ and the precise amounts they provide may be a little different than you do when your pet is at home. So, all this small change can lead to weight gain or loss, in and of itself.</p> <p>More important and relevant than this, however, is that pets are generally much more active in a boarding facility than they are at home. Now <em>wait</em>! We're <em>not</em> saying that you aren't taking good care of your pet by not giving him or her lots of activity. No, not at all. It's just that in a boarding facility, especially one that has a good number of staff and lots of other animals around, the whole environment is very stimulating and there is a lot of exercise for dogs and lots of other general interest for both dogs and cats. And this keeps them more active and generally more stimulated, even if they're in their enclosures. And this, in turn, often leads to a bit of weight loss.</p> <p>And one more thing: In many cases, a little bit of weight loss for dogs and cats is a good thing and although we have many customers who do worry about this, we also have a great many who are pleased to see that their pet has lost a little weght in our care because, in fact, they came in to us a little overweight.</p> <p>But of course, everyone has a different perception of this, and if the weight of your pet is not medically bad, one way or the other, then we do try to maintain the weight your pet comes in with.</p> <p>This all said, too much weight gain or loss IS a problem and if you feel there has been too much either way, we truly hope you'll talk to us about this. We monitor this aspect of your pet's health very closely, with a weight check when they first arrive for boarding and then regular checking every week, or more often if we perceive a potential problem. And if there is a problem, we always let you know about it while you're away and take action when required by adjusting feeding or even consulting your vet.</p> <p>If you're interested in more insight about this important subject, take a look at our page, "<a href="/what-we-do/boarding-daycare/weight-loss-or-gain-while-boarding" target="_blank">Weight Loss or Gain While Boarding</a>".</p>

<h3>Does my bird need exercise?</h3> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img src="https://www.dkc.ae/images/faqs/faq_pet_photo_123.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>BIrds can become very overweight, especially if they're not given a large enough space to move around in. This can be especially true for birds with clipped wings, who are more likely to end up rather sedentary.</p> <p>And so, yes, exercise for your bird is very important in helping them stay fit and healthy, to say nothing of reducing or eliminating boredom. Give them as much opportunity to fly as possible, if at all possible, with lots of perches around their environment which they can fly from/to. And if you're developing a good connected relationship with your bird, calling her to you from a distance will encourage flying and general activity. Even encouraging your bird to walk along the floors of your home can be fun, explorative activity, especially if you've got her looking for toys and food!</p></div>

<h3>Do I have to provide my own pet food? What type of food do you provide?</h3> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img src="https://www.dkc.ae/images/faqs/faq_pet_photo_43.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>No you don't. We provide everything.</p> <p>We rely primarily on dry Royal Canin and Pedigree wet... and also chicken, tuna and rice when needed or specifically wanted.</p> <p>Of course, if you have a special diet (your own concoction or a veterinary prescription) we can do that too... although for these there <em>might</em> be additional charges.</p> <p>To learn more, take a look here: <span class="span_link cursorpointer" data-href="/what-we-do/boarding-daycare/love-and-other-stuff-too#Special-Diets">Love... and other stuff too/Special Diets</span>.</p></div>

<h3>Do you have a vet on-site?</h3> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img src="https://www.dkc.ae/images/faqs/faq_48.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>No, we do not have a vet <em>on-site</em>.</p> <p>However, that really should not worry you. Our own vets at <a href="/what-we-do/dkc-veterinary-clinic" target="_blank">DKC Veterinary Clinic</a> are available to our boarding staff 24 hours a day, every single day of the year, so if anything is ever wrong we do have the resources that you and your pet need.</p> <p>Furthermore, in almost all cases when a pet is needing veterinary attention, it is not an emergency situation. So we will be able to book appointments with our own clinic or your preferred vet if you wish, and we will also of course always let you know in advance that we are doing that unless for some reason you are unreachable and it cannot wait.</p> <p>Finally, because of <a href="/what-we-do/boarding-daycare/love-and-other-stuff-too" target="_blank">the way we work</a> on a daily basis, we almost always discover very early if there are any developing problems, which also does a lot to keep your pet well and, most importantly, to avoid emergency situations almost all the time.</p></div>

<h3>Do I get a discount if I bring my own food?</h3> <p>Sorry about this, but no. Food for your pets is, of course, a cost for us but another very significant cost factor is the actual time, effort and resource to do the feeding itself. With all the pets we have in our care, special feeding, even if it's your own food, requires that much more involvement.</p> <p>We hope you understand.</p>

<h3>What's your daycare service like?</h3> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img src="https://www.dkc.ae/images/faqs/faq_pet_photo_32.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>Dogs in daycare with us basically follow the same routine throughout the day that all our boarders do, including playtime in our large sandy, tree-filled yards, mixing with other dogs (if you let us), food (of course!) and generally lots and lots of excitement while in their enclosures because of all the other dogs around and the many many many staff we have constantly checking in and constantly around and about. Why don't you come and see for yourself?</p> <p>See our <a href="/about-dkc/two-legged-timings" target="_blank">Two-Legged Timings</a>. We even work out a schedule for those of you who need to drop-off and pick-up schedule outside these hours.</p></div>