How to choose dog boarding in India: a checklist
What to ask on the phone, what to look for on a visit, which vaccinations boarding services usually ask for, and what to pack, so your dog’s stay goes smoothly.
Leaving your dog with someone else is never easy, and in India the hardest time is also the busiest: Diwali, Christmas and New Year, and the summer holidays. Good boarding services fill up weeks ahead in these seasons, so it pays to start looking early and to know what to check.
Kennel, home boarding or daycare?
Most boarding in Indian cities falls into three types:
- Boarding facilities. Dogs stay in kennels, suites or shared rooms at a dedicated centre, often with play areas and staff on site. Good for dogs who are used to other dogs and new places.
- Home boarding. Your dog stays in a carer’s home, usually with only a few other dogs. Often calmer for older, shy or very attached dogs, but check how many dogs they take at once.
- Daycare. Daytime only. Useful for long workdays, and a good way to try a place before an overnight stay.
Questions to ask before you book
Call or message first. A good service will be happy to answer all of these:
- Where do dogs sleep, and are they alone, in pairs or in a group?
- How many dogs do you have at a time, and how many staff?
- Is someone on site overnight?
- Which vet do you use, and what happens in an emergency?
- How often are dogs walked or let out to play? Are they grouped by size and temperament?
- Can I bring my dog’s own food? (The answer should be yes. A sudden change of diet often upsets a dog’s stomach.)
- How do you keep dogs cool? Ask about fans, air-conditioning and shade, especially in summer, and especially for flat-faced breeds such as pugs and shih tzus, and thick-coated breeds such as huskies.
- Will you send updates? Many places share photos or videos on WhatsApp.
- What exactly does the price include? Ask about extra charges for medicines, grooming, pick-up and drop, and about check-in and check-out times.
Visit before you book
A visit tells you more than any website. Look for:
- Clean, dry spaces that don’t smell strongly of urine, or of heavy disinfectant covering it up.
- Secure fencing and gates, ideally with two gates between the dogs and the road.
- Fresh water within reach and shade outdoors.
- Relaxed dogs and staff who know the dogs by name.
- A separate area for dogs who are unwell.
Be wary if they won’t show you where dogs sleep, don’t ask for vaccination records, seem to have far more dogs than staff, or are vague about what happens if your dog falls ill.
Vaccinations and health
Reputable boarding services ask for proof of vaccination, because infections spread easily where many dogs are together. Requirements vary, so always ask for the list, but most ask for:
- Rabies, with an up-to-date annual booster.
- The combination vaccine your vet may call DHPPiL or “9-in-1”, given within the last year.
- Kennel cough (Bordetella), which many boarding services require. Ask your vet about timing well before the stay, not the day before.
Some also ask for recent deworming and tick and flea treatment. Keep your dog’s vaccination card handy, or a clear photo of it on your phone.
Try a short stay first
Before a long trip, book a daycare day or a single night. You will see how your dog copes, and your dog will know the place and people when they come back.
What to pack
- Your dog’s usual food, ideally portioned per meal, plus a little extra in case you are delayed.
- Any medicines, with the dose and times written down.
- Something familiar: their bed or blanket, a toy, or an unwashed T-shirt that smells of you.
- Leash, harness and a collar with an ID tag.
- A copy of the vaccination record.
- A written note with feeding times, habits and fears (for example, if your dog is scared of crackers or thunder), your phone number, a backup contact, and your vet’s number.
Many places also ask you to sign a form allowing them to get emergency treatment for your dog. Agree on a spending limit you are comfortable with.
Drop-off and pick-up
Keep goodbyes short and calm; long, emotional farewells can make dogs more anxious. After you bring your dog home, it is normal for them to be tired and thirsty for a day or two. If they develop a cough, stop eating, or seem unwell for more than a day, call your vet.
Things that are handy for a stay
- A spare leash and harness that can stay with the boarding service.
- A collapsible travel bowl for the journey.
- A long-lasting chew to help your dog settle on the first night.
- An ID tag with your phone number, if your dog doesn’t already have one.
In short: book early in festive seasons, ask how the place runs day and night, visit before you book, keep vaccinations up to date, try a short stay first, and pack your dog’s own food and something that smells of home.
Below are the boarding and daycare services listed on SvanSala in each city. As with every listing, contact them directly to check availability, prices and requirements.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, call your vet.