You may board a dog in heat for as long as the boarding facility you choose has the capacity to keep your animal from interacting with other dogs. Some kennels provide specialized services for dogs in heat, such as keeping them separated from other females or totally removing them from other canines until they finish their cycle.
The majority of boarding facilities across the country will not board a dog in heat for several reasons. Kennels are generally made up of multiple dogs, and even if they could separate them from other females, it may not be safe because male dogs could sniff them out. Not only does boarding a female dog in heat pose health risks to your pet,
A female might suddenly become more demanding during the heat cycle. If your dog fits into this category, you may wish to look for a kennel that can house dogs in need of special care.
Male dogs never go into heat, but they become extremely agitated whenever they’re around a female who is. When a female is in her heat cycle, she emits a particular chemical that excites male dogs.
Cons of Kenneling Your Dog in Heat
- It may cause more stress and pain for the animal.
- Kenneling a dog in heat can cause territorial aggression from occurring among multiple pets housed together.
- It can cause fights to break out among multiple pets housed together
- The heat can actually cause your dog’s water intake to decrease that might cause dehydration
- Also, without you around her to give her additional attention and treats, your dog will likely become more stressed and agitated from the confined space she must stay in.
It is usually simpler to Kennel, a dog about to end her heat period, than it is to do so with one who is just starting. If your dog’s indications of entering her heat period are only beginning, reconsider confining her for a weekend in the kennel. This
will only make her more uncomfortable and difficult for her to adjust to once you release her.
Kenneling a dog in heat is often not recommended because it causes so many problems, including stress, territorial aggression, fights between multiple pets housed together, and dehydration.
What to Ask Your Kennel if Your Dog is in Heatings
Kenneling a dog in heat can be dangerous to her health and may cause unwanted problems.
Some boarding facilities will not allow dogs in heat at any time.
The safest thing you can do for your pooch is boarded him when he’s out of his cycle or waits until it’s over.
If you’re planning to get a puppy, ask your kennel whether they’ve dealt with dogs in heat before. It may seem like an unpleasant question, but you don’t want to go around it.
Some boarding facilities have on-staff personnel that can separate your dog from the rest of the pack and takes her for a walk when it’s safe. The greatest might even offer a designated space for dogs in heat.
Ask if the kennel you’re looking into supplies dog heat diapers. These are a type of temporary garment that looks surprisingly similar to baby diapers that your dog might need to prevent matting from occurring.
If you’re a breeder trying to preserve the fertility of your dogs, you should ask them a few more questions and will most likely require that your dog be housed at a kennel connected to an animal hospital with expertise in such things. If you find yourself in this position, see if your dog has access to expert reproduction care from a specialist.
Most boarding facilities that cater to breeders and other pet industry members will provide these services, so don’t be afraid to inquire about them if they apply to your situation. The majority of pet owners would want to know if their dog will be kept with other dogs.
How to Find a Great Kennel for Dogs in Heat
Here are some traits of a kennel that cares for dogs in heat
The most popular way to find a good kennel is by word-of-mouth. If you don’t know anyone with pets, try asking your veterinarian about boarding facilities they’ve dealt with before. Chances are they’ll be able to recommend a great service that they trust.
When looking for a good kennel, it helps to ask other pet owners if they’ve ever boarded their dogs there and what the experience was like. We want to know if the staff treated them well, if the facilities were clean and comfortable, how much effort is put into interacting with your dog and playing with your pet.
We also want to ask about the costs and any sad stories they might have heard about dogs in heat being housed with others or if those facilities were friendly towards breeders.
You must tell the kennel’s staff exactly when your dog enters her heat phase. If it happens to be when the kennel is full, you might require your dog to be housed apart from the others so she won’t get pregnant. In addition, the staff must remember to take her for regular walks (or maybe offer a few playtimes) so she can use up energy and reduce stress levels.
Breeders are likely to need to ask a lot of questions about the kennel, but pet owners might want to ask about more everyday things. For example, ask what their water supply is like, whether they offer quality dog food, and if there’s an area where the dogs get outside and run around.
Kennels with expert staff who are friendly towards pets in heat will also go out of their way to treat your dog like a member of the family. They’ll take her for walks, play with her and try to make her as comfortable as possible during this tough time.
How to Prepare Your Dog in Heat for Their Kennel Trip
The most important thing you want to do is look for symptoms of irritation in your dog. For example, if she’s constantly shaking her hindquarters or licking herself, these are signs of discomfort and could be the start of a yeast infection.
This might mean that your dog needs a bath right away, so make sure you have an appointment with the groomer. On the way there, you may want to stop at a pet store and pick up some dog wipes. Ask for wipes with an antiseptic solution because this will give your dog some relief while keeping her clean during this sensitive time.
If you’re taking your dog to the board, do not wait until she’s in complete heat before doing this. A little preparation will save you a lot of worries later on, and having wipes can help you keep her clean throughout the day if she’s at home with you before it gets too serious.
If your dog is in heat, make sure you have a checklist for all the things she’ll need while boarding.
Freshwater – it should be changed often enough to keep it fresh
Litter – if your dog is going to use a litter box, make sure the staff cleans it regularly
Toys – take some toys that are easy to clean and bring extras so her favorites won’t go missing
Extra food and water bowls – you might need to pack more than one bowl because they might get dirty, fall over or break
A mat – such as an old towel, can help your dog relax and keep her from lying on the cold floor
Poop bags – you will want some extra poop bags if she needs to go during boarding hours. If it happens late at night, you don’t want to have to wait until morning to clean it up
A blanket – your dog might not be comfortable sleeping on her usual bedding, or she might ruin it when she goes in heat. Please bring a blanket that’s easy to wash and can be used for a long time while you wait for her cycle to end
What Happens When Your Dog Enters Her Kennel?
Whether your dog is going to a kennel or staying with a pet sitter, you should expect the staff to play with and walk her at least once every day.
Apart from this, they should also make sure that she gets plenty of exercise throughout the day to release some pent-up energy and reduce any potential discomfort.
Your dog should also receive plenty of attention from the staff and the other dogs in her kennel. They’ll play with her, clean up after her if needed, and provide companionship during this time.
If your dog is upset about going into heat at a kennel, being left alone, and not getting attention, you can ask your veterinarian about sedatives.
However, they should only be used as a last resort because they can make the dog drowsy or sleepy during her cycle. This could mean that she won’t get up to walk or eliminate, which will increase her chances of developing an infection.