Dog boarding packing checklist

The short answer: Pack your dog's regular food with a buffer, medications with written instructions, a leash and tagged collar, one familiar-smelling item, and your vet's contact — leave expensive beds and lots of toys at home.

Pack

• Regular food for every day, plus one or two extra days
• Medications and supplements, labeled, with dose and timing written down
• Leash and a collar with ID tags
• One comfort item that smells like home
• Any special treats your dog is used to (in small amounts)

Share before drop-off

• Your vet's name and number
• An emergency contact who can make decisions if you can't be reached
• Feeding times and amounts
• Quirks: fears, habits, anything they're allergic to

Leave at home

• Large or expensive beds (most places provide beds)
• A big bag of toys — one favorite is plenty
• Rawhides or anything that needs close supervision, unless you've agreed it with your sitter