Do I provide food for boarding pets?

Ideally the owners should provide food for the stay. The last thing you want is a dog with explosive diarrhea because of a sudden change in diet (paired with the stress of a new environment)! I've had a dog run out of his own food on a longer stay, and I've offered to pick up a new bag and had the owners reimburse me for it when they got back. I have found that a lot of my guests are much more interested in my dog food than their own (and vice versa), since novelty is exciting, and for dogs without food restrictions I'll often toss a few pieces of my dog food in with the guest's to encourage them to eat their own.

Beyond food, I request owners provide their dog's collar, leash, and dog bags, and I encourage sending them with some treats and something comforting from home, like a special toy, blanket, or their bed. I have extras of everything, including collars/harnesses and leashes, so if I have issues with any of their equipment, I can use my own. For example, I don't use prong or choke collars, and can substitute a flat collar or front clip harness instead. I don't like flexi-leads (even if used responsibly, with the lead locked at a reasonable length, they take up way too much hand space when walking multiple dogs), so I can use one of my alternatives.

Hi Rebecca - Welcome to rover.

The owner is to bring the food, treats, bowls, bed/blanket/crate/medicine if applicable. Sometimes they don't bring enough food for the stay or forget the treats, etc. Always best to have some on hand. I have bowls so I tell my customers Not to bring them. It can be difficult to track each bowl and whose is whose. I also have extra small blankets and a crate. I give my customers a list of what to bring for the stay at the M&G. My frequently repeat customers have it down and just check on what I have that they left the last time they were here and brought food.

I have also had customers forget collars and leash (or their No Pull harness), so I always have various sizes of harnesses, leashes, collars and a couple No Pull harnesses for when that happens. I sometimes have 4 to 7 dogs at a time overlap so I don't want to track bowls. Hope that helps and have fun!

Kathleen D.

I always have the owners bring their own dog food so that a sudden change in their diet does not get them ill. However, I do have a regular client who sometimes forgets to drop off food for her dog, as her bookings are typically last minute. In this instance, I do not mind providing dog food for him as I am aware of his needs and diet. He actually likes my dog's brand of food better than his own. His mom has started him on the same brand of food we use.

I have several dog bowls and usually do not require the owner's to bring their ones from home. I let them know that they should bring whatever they feel will be most comfortable for their dog. Strange environments for dogs can be stressful, just as they are for humans. The dogs typically find their place in the pack after just a few days and make themselves right at home!

If you are giving your own dog food to client's dogs, just be sure to monitor the amount and I would not recommend giving them wet food, as they probably are not used to it.

The owner provides food. Dogs can be sensitive to changes in diet, so it is important that they continue with their own food. Also, you don't want to add to their stress level at being away from home. Some owners might even provide treats. You should always ask the owner if it is alright to feed their dog from your treat stash and other dietary restrictions or allergies.

When you have your M&G with the owner, you should go over what they need bring and what you supply. Food is their responsibility, as are basics like a collar/harness and leash. Other things, like a dog bed, bowls, and toys for example, are up to you to determine whether you will supply or the owner.