Kennels, Sitters and Christmas: Helping Your Dog Settle While You're Away

Hello again!

It may only be autumn, but the best kennels and dog sitters get booked up early for Christmas and New Year. If your dog will be staying somewhere new while you travel, now is the perfect time to plan, not just the booking but how to help your dog feel safe and well while you are apart.

In my 40 years with dogs, I have seen how much difference a little preparation makes. A dog who arrives calm, healthy and familiar with their surroundings settles far better than one who is dropped off in a rush on Christmas Eve.

Start with a trial stay

If you can, book a short visit or a single night a few weeks before the main stay. This lets your dog learn that the new place has nice people, good smells and, most importantly, that you come back. Visit together, let them sniff around, and leave on a happy note.

If you are using a sitter, ask them round for a walk or two so your dog gets to know them before you go.

Check the health basics early

• Vaccinations. Most kennels ask for up-to-date vaccinations, and many require kennel cough cover too. Check what they need well ahead, as some vaccines must be given a while before the stay.
• Flea and worm care. Make sure these are up to date before your dog mixes with others.
• Write down everything. Feeding amounts, medicines, allergies, quirks, fears and your vet's details.

What to pack

1. Their own food, so there is no sudden change to upset their tummy
2. An unwashed T-shirt or blanket that smells of home
3. A favourite toy or chew
4. Any supplements or remedies, clearly labelled with how much and when

Supporting their wellbeing

Wherever many dogs come together, bugs pass around, and the stress of a new place can leave a dog feeling a little run down. Good food, a familiar routine and plenty of rest all help. Herbs such as echinacea, thyme, elderberry and astragalus are traditionally used to support the body's natural defences, and many owners like to start herbal support a week or two before a stay and pack enough to keep the routine going.

Supporting their emotions

Some dogs take a new place in their stride. Others pine, go off their food or seem flat and withdrawn while their family is away. That is a natural response from a loyal, sensitive animal, and there is plenty we can do to ease it.

• My Emotional Balance Homeopathic Drops are made for dogs who pine, feel homesick or find a change in routine hard, including stays in kennels.
• For dogs who are generally nervous, my Nerve Calm Companion Herbal Powder can be started a few weeks before the stay to support a calm, settled mood.
• If the journey itself is the worry, my Travel Tummy Homeopathic Drops are made for dogs who find car journeys unsettling.

Do let your kennel or sitter know about any herbs or remedies, and always check with your vet if your dog is on medication.

The goodbye and the homecoming

Keep goodbyes short and cheerful. A long, emotional farewell tells your dog something is wrong. When you collect them, expect them to be tired, thirsty and perhaps a little unsettled for a day or two. Go back to your normal routine as soon as you can, give them a quiet day to sleep it off, and keep an eye out for any cough or tummy upset in the week after they come home.

When to call your vet

Natural support sits alongside veterinary care, not instead of it. See your vet if your dog comes home with a cough, sickness or diarrhoea that doesn't settle within a day or two, stops eating, or seems unwell in themselves.

Final thoughts

Time apart at Christmas doesn't have to be stressful for your dog, or for you. A trial stay, a bag that smells of home and a little natural support for body and mind will help them settle, so you can enjoy your time away knowing they are happy and well cared for.

Natural love & care,

Elaine, The Dog Herbalist