9 Tips for finding the best Dog Resort in Sydney
Why not treat your beloved companion to a holiday at a luxury dog resort in Sydney? When you’re heading off on holiday and you can’t take your little one with you, then it’s only fair to treat them to a holiday of their very own!
A week in a luxury dog boarding resort will definitely put a smile on their little faces, leaving you to enjoy your holiday knowing that your best friend is having a great dog minding experience in Sydney while you’re away.
Finding the right dog hotel in Sydney however, is no easy task, so here are nine easy to follow tips that will help you make the right choice for the doggie friend in your life.
Are they a member of PIAA?
Whilst membership in the Pet Industry Association of Australia isn’t compulsory, if the dog boarding kennels you are researching in Sydney don’t belong to this organisation, you have to wonder why, don’t you?
Do the staff live on site?
Make sure that your preferred dog hotel has experienced staff onsite overnight who can quickly give your little one the attention they need at night. We have staff who are always on hand if needed, and we offer lots of pampering options.
What’s their daily routine?
You want to know what your doggie friend will be doing all day, because you want to know they will be getting cuddles, exercise and playtime.
What accommodation is offered?
Some dogs need much more comfort than others, so it pays to view their website and check their range of sleeping accommodations before making your decision.
What about the food?
Can you take your own food? Do they cater to different specialised diets and fussy eaters? Do they offer the healthiest brands to your pet?
What about toys & bedding?
Some dogs need the comfort of their own toys and bedding, so if the dog boarding kennels in Sydney don’t allow this (and some don’t), you need to know about it!
What if your little one becomes ill?
Do they have their own vet on call 24/7 to attend to your little one if he or she becomes ill during their holiday? Our vet is just moments away from our doggie hotel.
Do they accommodate small dogs only?
Small dogs settle much easier in our non-threatening environment as we only care for small breed dogs 15kg and under.
Can your pooch have their own room?
Some dog boarding kennels only offer single accommodation as an extra, so make sure that you know about these charges if they apply to your little dog.
Tour the pet hotel:
Once you have answered all the above questions to your satisfaction, you really need to tour the luxury dog boarding resort to make a final check that all seems well. Do you feel comfortable there yourself? Do the doggie guests seem happy and content?
To take a tour of our luxury dog boarding resort in Duffys Forest, just 35 minutes north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, please call us on 02 9450 1579 or send us an email
Your cat’s going on holiday? How to find the best luxury cattery in Sydney
Most of us look forward to our holidays, but that also means finding a luxury cattery in Sydney for our feline friends. Your first port of call should be to ask friends, relatives, work colleagues or your local vet if they can recommend a cat hotel in Sydney, followed up by a quick online search. When you have your short list of preferred cat accommodation in Sydney, here are the important points you need to check before making your final decision.
What type of accommodation does the Sydney cat resort offer?
We all know that our feline friends are very fussy and need their accommodation to be ‘just so’. This means that you need to be confident that their accommodation lives up to their standards! Does the Sydney cat boarding resort offer different types of accommodation for your cat? Are the rooms light and airy with views out into a garden (hopefully with lots of bird life to watch)? Do they have solid walls so there is no nose to nose contact with other cats? Do they have a hiding box for your cat to retreat to for “downtime”. Do they have plenty of toys, scratching poles and is the cattery air-conditioned and heated with extra heating pads in the winter if needed?
What type of bedding do they offer and can you bring in your own bedding and toys? How often do they clean the rooms and the litter trays is another good question to ask, because a clean cattery is a healthy cattery.
What type of outdoor areas and exercise is available for my cat?
Is there a communal exercise area or will your cat have their own separate outdoor area? Some cats are happy to share their exercise or snoozing time with other cats, whilst others don’t like to share! It’s important that you know how each luxury cattery in Sydney manages these situations, particularly if your cat prefers their own company.
What food will they offer my cat?
It’s always best to ask about the type and brand of food that is offered at each cat hotel, because some cats don’t like their menu to be changed. If you think that your cat might not like the available food, then make sure that the cat hotel allows you to provide your cat’s favourite food for their holiday stay.
What about special needs cats?
Older cats need special care when they are staying at cat boarding kennels. These can include access to their bedding without having to climb, lots of sunny spots for an afternoon’s snooze, and special foods and medications. You might need to make sure that your cat’s accommodation is on one level, has its own external window and that your cat doesn’t have to walk far to access the outdoors for their afternoon nap in the sunshine.
Is the cattery secure?
One thing to remember is cats like to climb! Is the cattery well fenced and secure? Do they have carers on site 24/7? How long has the cattery been established for and are staff qualified?
To take a tour of our luxury cattery in Duffys Forest, just 35 minutes north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, please call us on 02 9450 1579 or send us an email
Why is your dog’s playtime so important?
At our Sydney dog resort, we find that dogs settle in quickly for their holidays when they receive lots of cuddles and playtime at arrival.
A recent study at Bristol University has found that for dogs to be well rounded and emotionally healthy they need to play and they need to be physically and mentally challenged on a daily basis.
Dogs that don’t have much playtime have higher rates of stress and anxiety than dogs who have lots of playtime, they can also be depressed or aggressive and have many behavioural issues. At Small Paws Dog Hotel in Sydney, we know how much our doggie guests love to play all day long! They play until they are tired, they rest and then play some more!
How often should you play with your dog?
With most dog owners working full time, it can be difficult to find the time to walk the dog, let alone play with them multiple times a day! Walking and playing with your dog once a day is the most that most owners can fit into their already busy schedules.
So it’s interesting to note that the Bristol University study found that only 10% of owners said that they play with their dogs once a day, 50% said that it’s two or three times a day, whilst 20% found the time to play with their dogs six times a day! At our small dog boarding kennels in Sydney, we make sure that all of our doggie guests have hours of fun and frolicking during their day, so they never have time to become bored.
The study didn’t actually suggest how often you need to play with your dog each day, but clearly it’s at least once a day, because they get bored so quickly.
Socialising your dog also makes for a happy and well balanced dog and it’s through socialisation that dogs can learn to play successfully with other dogs. Playing games with your dog is also a good way to keep them fit, healthy and mentally challenged, preventing boredom, depression and bad habits taking root. We love to play with our doggie guests at our Sydney dog resort!
Indoor and outdoor games for your dog
If your dog is left alone all day while you are at work, it’s a good idea to keep them busy with something fun that can hold their interest. Follow up with a long walk after work and your dog should be happy all day long!
A stuffed Kong toy is a very popular way to keep your dog busy while you are at work, as is a dry food dispensing toy that rolls around the room making them work hard for their treats. We find that the doggie guests at our dog boarding resort in Sydney love to play tug of war, a game that you can easily play at home after work. Throwing a frisbee is another game that will quickly tire your dog but is also heaps of fun for both of you.
Another great game is to construct an agility course in the back garden, as this mentally stimulates and exercises your dog in a really fun way.
If you want to book your little one into luxury dog boarding kennels in Sydney where your little one can play to their heart’s content all day long, please call us on 02 9450 1579 or send us an email