After picking up your dog from a boarding facility, you might notice they seem unusually tired or lethargic. While it’s common for dogs to need some extra rest after staying at a boarding kennel, understanding why this happens can help you ensure your pet recovers quickly and comfortably.
1. New Adventures and Playmates
Boarding facilities often provide a fun and interactive environment where dogs can engage in play with other dogs. This social interaction is fantastic for their mental and emotional health, allowing them to make new friends and enjoy playtime that differs from their usual routine. The physical activity involved in playing with new playmates helps them use up their energy in a positive way, leading to a happy kind of tiredness when they come home.
2. Stress and Anxiety
Even well-run boarding facilities can be stressful for some dogs due to changes in routine and environment. The presence of unfamiliar sounds, smells, and sights, along with the absence of their family, can cause stress and anxiety. Stress hormones, like cortisol, can keep your dog on high alert and lead to fatigue once they’re in a safe, familiar environment again.
3. New Smells and Sights
Dogs explore the world through their senses, and a boarding facility is a treasure trove of new smells and sights. From encountering new people to exploring different areas, your dog gets to satisfy their curiosity and engage in new sensory experiences. This exploration is not only mentally stimulating but also adds to the richness of their day-to-day life, making each boarding experience something to look forward to.
4. Changes in Sleeping Patterns
Dogs are creatures of habit, and many are used to sleeping in a quiet, controlled environment. In a boarding facility, nighttime can still be relatively active with noises from other dogs moving around, which can disrupt your dog’s usual sleep routine. This disruption in their normal sleep pattern can make them seem more tired when they come home.
5. Emotional Energy Expenditure
Dogs often expend a lot of emotional energy trying to adapt to a new environment and deciphering how to behave around new animals and people. This kind of emotional labor is exhausting. Once they return home, they might need a considerable amount of rest to recover from this emotional expenditure.
6. Less Quality Sleep
Even when dogs sleep at a boarding facility, the quality of sleep might not be as high as at home. They might sleep with one ear open, so to speak, staying alert due to the unfamiliar environment. This type of sleep isn’t as restorative, which means they might need more time to rest once they are back in their familiar, comfortable setting.
7. Diet and Hydration
Changes in diet and water intake at a boarding facility can significantly impact your dog’s energy levels. Some dogs may eat and drink less than usual due to anxiety or unfamiliarity with the food and water provided. This can lead to dehydration or reduced energy, necessitating more rest to regain their usual vitality. It’s crucial to inform the boarding facility about any special dietary needs or preferences your dog has. Providing your dog’s regular food or specific feeding instructions can help minimize digestive upset and ensure they maintain their normal eating habits. This proactive communication helps ensure that your dog stays hydrated and nourished, keeping them as comfortable and healthy as possible during their stay.
Seeing your dog so tired after a stay at a boarding facility can be concerning, but it’s usually a normal response to their recent experiences. To help your dog recover, ensure they have a quiet, comfortable space to rest, maintain a consistent water supply, and gently ease them back into their home routine. If your dog’s tiredness persists unusually long or you notice other signs of distress, it may be wise to consult your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues. Understanding the reasons behind their fatigue can help you better prepare your dog for future stays and ensure they bounce back quicker each time.