What’s the Best Way To Board a Senior Dog?

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

For pet parents, traveling often involves weighing the best care options for our pups while we’re away, especially when it comes to boarding for senior dogs. While young, sociable pups often do well with traditional kennels and doggy daycares, these active environments might be too much for older dogs, especially if they’re dog-selective or have medical issues.

Dr. Aimee Warner, resident veterinarian at Waggel, advises pet parents to consider their senior’s individual needs. “If your older dog is quite friendly, laid-back, and has coped with new experiences fairly well in the past, kennel boarding might be something you can manage,” she points out. “But if they have ongoing medical-, mobility-, or stress-related issues, you’ll have to consider it very carefully.”

In this article, we’ll discuss what to look for when choosing boarding for your senior dog, how to do a trial run before you commit, and how to know if your senior dog is a good candidate for boarding in the first place. We’ll also offer alternatives to consider if they’re not!

Is It OK To Board an Elderly Dog?

If your senior dog is generally healthy and enjoys socializing with other dogs, they may do perfectly fine at a traditional boarding facility. However, if they have medical or anxiety-related conditions or prefer a quieter, more peaceful environment, in-home boarding with a pet sitter or boarding at a veterinarian’s office might be better suited to their needs.

Type of Senior Dog	Boarding Facility	Boarding With a Pet Sitter	Vet Boarding
Healthy, social seniors	X
Seniors with mobility issues		X
Seniors who need medications		X	X
Stressed or anxious seniors		X
Seniors who need one-on-one attention or health monitoring		X	X
Seniors at risk of health complications			X

Note: Senior dogs who are blind, deaf, or follow a strict meal or potty schedule will need more individualized care. This, in turn, will impact the overall cost of boarding at a facility, vet clinic, or with an experienced pet sitter.

What To Look for in a Boarding Facility for Senior Dogs

When choosing a boarding facility, look for places that can meet the needs of older dogs. That means staff who are knowledgeable about the type of care senior dogs require and an environment where your older pup can comfortably socialize, eat, exercise, rest, and take bathroom breaks.

Essentially, you’ll want a place that can keep up your dog’s usual routine as much as possible while also keeping them safe and content. Here’s what to look for.

Senior-friendly accommodations

As dogs age, they’re more prone to developing health issues. Their bodies don’t work like they used to, which can lead to joint pain, less bladder control, and a harder time regulating their body temperature. If they’re in pain, they may also have a lower tolerance for rambunctious dogs and need plenty of space to retreat.

As a result, it’s important to prioritize environments that have:

• Non-slip floors
• An accessible layout with features like dog ramps instead of steep stairs
• Help getting around, if needed
• A quiet rest area away from other dogs
• Accessible potty areas
• Comfortable, orthopedic bedding and resting spots
• A climate-controlled environment

Medication management

A lot of senior dogs take medication, so you’ll want to ensure that the staff has the necessary training and expertise to administer the correct doses on schedule. The staff should also be well-trained in identifying discomfort, sickness, and behavioral changes.

Senior-friendly facilities should:

• Be familiar with administering medication to dogs, especially if dogs need injections or special handling (e.g., hiding pills in food)
• Have a system to document when they administer doses
• Have a protocol for alerting pet parents of any health or behavioral changes

24/7 care available

Emergencies can happen at any time, but senior dogs are a bit more vulnerable, as they typically have decreased mobility and are more sensitive to environmental changes. Boarding for senior dogs should include around-the-clock monitoring and a clear emergency protocol, including:

• 24/7 on-site supervision
• Experienced staff with a reasonable dog-to-employee ratio
• An on-call veterinarian or vet access in case of medical emergencies
• Emergency plans for unforeseen power outages and natural disasters

Dietary accommodations

Some senior dogs may eat a specialized diet due to medical conditions or dental issues. Boarding facilities for seniors should be able to accommodate their dietary needs. They should also have an area to store your dog’s food safely and be able to serve meals at specific times throughout the day. A facility that boards your older dog should be able to:

• Strictly adhere to your dog’s dietary plan
• Keep food refrigerated and/or prepare fresh food, if needed
• Give supplements or additional treats, if needed

Supervised or separated play and exercise

Senior dogs still benefit from regular exercise, and keeping them physically active and mentally engaged will help them cope better with being away from you. However, their physical needs will likely look different from those of younger and more active pups.

Opt for boarding facilities that are willing to create a personalized plan that takes into account your dog’s age, mobility, and health concerns.

Boarding facilities ideal for seniors should offer options like:

• Low-impact activities like slow sniffy walks and swimming
• Mental enrichment, such as puzzle toys, scent games, or training sessions
• Supervised play with groups separated by size, age, and energy levels
• One-on-one attention for older dogs that prefer quiet time with humans over play groups

Checklist for Boarding Your Senior Dog

Before boarding your senior dog at a facility or with a pet sitter, there are a few things you can do to plan ahead. Here’s everything to ask, confirm with your vet, and pack for your pup.

Questions to ask

While you’re scoping out different places to board your senior dog, having a list of questions ready can help you narrow down your search. A few senior-specific questions to ask include the following:

• Are senior-friendly exercise options available?
• Do you also offer one-on-one activities?
• Can more frequent trips to a potty spot be offered?
• Do you (or other staff members) have experience administering medication?
• What’s your plan in case of a medical emergency—is there a vet on staff, or transport available to a nearby emergency clinic?
• What if my senior pup is anxious—what accommodations can be made to help?
• How often will my senior dog be left alone?
• How often will I be sent updates?

Medical sign-off

Many reputable boarding facilities require a medical sign-off from your vet to ensure they can safely meet your senior dog’s health needs. Essentially, it’s a written confirmation that your dog is stable enough for boarding. It also typically includes:

• Any chronic conditions your dog may have.
• Any assistance your dog may need to stand or go outside, as well as any restrictions for exercise/activity.
• Detailed information about administering any medication.
• Confirmation of required vaccines or medical exemptions (titer testing) if your senior dog can’t have the full round of vaccinations.
• Clear instructions on how to handle emergency care.

Packing checklist

Senior dogs need additional supplies along with the usual packing checklist for boarding. Here are a few extra things they might need:

• Items that offer comfort and mobility support, like orthopedic bedding, elevated food bowls, or a harness sling.
• Medications and pill hiders like cheese, peanut butter, or pill pockets—always pack a few extra days’ worth in case of travel delays.
• Pre-measured meals to ensure exact portion sizes and any special toppers or broths to help your senior dog in case they lose their appetite while you’re away.
• Dog diapers, belly bands, or pee pads if your senior dog struggles with bladder control.
• Written instructions that include details about sleeping habits, bathroom instructions, or any signs of pain or anxiety (and how to address them).

Alternatives to Boarding

If your dog isn’t a good candidate for boarding at a traditional kennel or at a pet sitter’s house, there are some alternatives to keep them safe and comfortable while you’re away.

For instance, a professional pet sitter can come to your home and stay with your senior dog. This option helps your aging dog maintain their typical routine and medical schedule while also eliminating the stress of a new environment.

If your senior dog is more independent and doesn’t need constant supervision or overnight monitoring, you could also schedule a trusted dog walker or pet sitter to drop in three to four times a day for meal times, potty breaks, or to administer medication.

Finding care for your senior dog

Rover makes it easy to find care for your senior dog. Choose in-home boarding at a pet sitter’s house, house sitters to stay at your own home, or dog walkers to check in on your pup throughout the day.

Regardless of what you choose, the most important thing is that your senior dog is as comfortable and well-cared for as possible, says Dr. Warner, adding, “If that means a cozy spot at home with a sitter or a thoughtfully chosen boarding facility, it’s all about tailoring the solution to your dog’s individual needs.”