animal care by animal people

<h3>Can my dog mix/socialize with others?</h3> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img loading="lazy" src="https://d12fifzdy7ujh4.cloudfront.net/images/faqs/faq_36.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>Definitely yes.</p> <p>We love giving every possible opportunity we can to our dogs to mix and socialize with others, so when you arrive just let us know if this is something you and your dog would like ~ we'll make it happen. Safely of course, with lots of monitoring and control, but as much as possible. We're always evaluating all the dogs in our care to see which are good candidates for sharing playtime (and even sharing enclosures, if you like) with others, and then putting the right dogs together. If you want us to do this with your dog, then great. If not, that's just fine too.</p> <p>Take a look here for more info on this: <a href="/what-we-do/boarding-daycare/love-and-other-stuff-too#Socializing-Dogs" target="_blank">Love... and other stuff too/Socializing</a></p></div>

<h3>Does my bird need to be microchipped?</h3><p>Microchipping is a great way to identify and register your bird in case he ever flies off into the unknown. A microchip is also a permanent, more reliable method of identifying your bird than feet-rings which can wear out or become damaged and can even break and fall off entirely.</p> <p>Microchips for birds are smaller than those for cats and dogs but nevertheless sometimes birds require a light sedation to have them placed. Not something to worry about, though.  <img alt="" src="/graphics/ic_smiley3.png" height="15" width="15"></p> <p>Do be very aware that all birds will always need a microchip, and possibly other forms of identification, if they ever need to travel abroad.</p>

<h3>Can my cat/kitten socialise with other cats/kittens?</h3> <div class="faq_ans_img"><img loading="lazy" src="https://d12fifzdy7ujh4.cloudfront.net/images/faqs/faq_107.jpg"></div> <div class="faq_ans_text"><p>As you know, cats and dogs are VERY different when it comes to socialising. Most cats prefer to be loners or to only socialise with their own family members. However...</p> <p>We actually do have quite a few cats and kittens stay with us who are much more interested in and amenable to socialising than you might anticipate. Yep, it's true.</p> <p>If you're interested in us playing around with the playing around of your cat or kitten, including Buddy-Boarding, just talk to us about it and we'll see what we can do. It's not a guaranteed thing (as it often is with dogs) but we can certainly try and, rather wonderfully, it goes really well quite often, indeed. It's easier with kittens, of course, due to their youth and fun and playful nature, but it doesn't always stop there. And older cats often enjoy the camaraderie too.</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>Should I bring toys for my dog when coming to board?</h3><p>Toys are great, and helpful, when dogs are at home because they grab their wild attentions and abate boredom. In boarding though, your pooch has lots of other dog friends to play with and, believe it or not, they end up losing interest in those toys!</p> <p>However, for dogs still interested in their toys when with us, but staying in our Lounge, Feedroom or in one of our offices where all the dogs are in groups and close proximity, there is sometimes the possibility of them getting possessive of their toys, which doesn't help anyone. <img alt="" src="/graphics/ic_smiley3.png" height="15" width="15">  Of course, if your dog has a toy that he's REALLY attached to, and if he's staying in an enclosure by himself, then you can always bring that along.</p>

<h3>Do I need to get my bird's wings clipped?</h3><p>DKC has ethical concerns regarding wing-clipping. Instead, we strongly advocate teaching your bird about and familiarising your bird with his home environment and surrounding territory, and keeping him in a safe environment where he cannot fly away.</p> <p>If wing-clipping is a decision you feel you must nevertheless take, the procedure is fairly straightforward and will be done either with or without anaesthesia, depending on the bird involved and their reaction to the process (i.e. their stress levels). But do be aware that even after wing-clipping, birds can still fly a very little bit and will gain some height in the air while trying ~ especially smaller birds ~ but they will not be able to gain and sustain enough height and could well fall from the air and injure themselves.</p> <p>Give this all some thought and talk to us if you'd like more guidance and insight.</p>

<h3>Boarding Reservations: How far in advance do I have to book?</h3><p>Now <em>that's</em> an important question!</p> <p>During more than half the year, you can book anytime, even last minute, and we'll be able to take your pet in. No problem.</p> <p>During about 5 months of the year, things are a bit more complicated than that. Take a look at <a href="/what-we-do/boarding-daycare/gotta-book-early" target="_blank">Gotta Book Early!</a></p>

<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>Is my pet old?</h3><p>Don't ya know? You're only as old as you feel! <img alt="" src="/graphics/ic_wink.png" height="15" width="15"></p> <p>Cats are generally considered "senior" once they reach 7 or 8 years of age.<br>Dogs are generally considered "senior" from 7 years of age for small breeds and from 6 years of age for large breeds.</p> <p>Now, if your pet falls into the "senior pet" age range, the following issues may arise: diabetes. kidney disease, heart issues, signs of cancer, liver disease, joint problems, neurological conditions, blindness, deafness, and generalised pain issues, amongst others. Or your pet might be <em>perfectly fine</em>, and indeed many many are... so DON'T PANIC (we're just giving you a bit of info, not a warning ~ promise!). It's important to look after your senior pet's teeth because failing or even rotting teeth can cause unexpected and ultimately unnecessary illness too. And then, of course, there's diet, something which becomes increasingly important as your pet gets older. especially if they have any medical issues. Soooooo... what does this all mean? Well, it means you need to just keep an eye on things and otherwise enjoy your pet.</p> <p>When your pet is staying with us, we are happy and able to administer medications prescribed by your vet and to ensure that he's comfortable with extra soft bedding or whatever else might be needed. If he's on limited exercise, we'll make sure he's cared for appropriate, including a quiet rest spot. And we also have a <a href="/what-we-do/dkc-veterinary-clinic" target="_blank">DKC vet</a> on-call at all times.</p>