You've booked your trip, confirmed the boarding reservation, and now you're standing in your living room staring at a pile of dog stuff wondering: "What actually needs to come with me, and what's overkill?"

It's a fair question. Pack too little and your dog might be uncomfortable. Pack too much and you're creating unnecessary work for yourself and the boarding staff. Here's the honest, practical guide to what should — and shouldn't — go in your dog's overnight bag.

The Essentials: What Every Dog Needs

1. Their Regular Food (Pre-Portioned)

This is the single most important thing to pack. Switching foods suddenly can cause digestive upset, loose stools, or even vomiting — none of which makes for a comfortable boarding stay.

Bring enough of your dog's regular food to cover their entire stay, plus one extra day's worth just in case your return gets delayed. Portion it out ahead of time into labelled bags or containers (one per meal) with feeding instructions written clearly:

  • "Breakfast: 1 cup at 8 AM"
  • "Dinner: 1.5 cups at 5 PM"

This removes any guesswork for staff and keeps your dog's routine consistent.

If your dog eats a prescription diet, bring the full unopened bag or clearly labelled portions — and let the facility know in advance so they can note any special handling.

2. Medications (Clearly Labelled)

If your dog takes any medications — whether daily maintenance meds or as-needed treatments — pack them in their original containers with dosage instructions attached.

Write it out clearly:

  • Dog's name
  • Medication name
  • Dosage amount
  • Time of day to give it
  • How to administer (with food, hidden in cheese, etc.)

If your dog is sneaky about spitting out pills, include a note about what trick works best. Staff appreciate the heads-up.

3. Vaccination Records

Most facilities require proof of current vaccinations at check-in. Bring printed or digital copies of:

  • Rabies
  • DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza)
  • Bordetella (kennel cough)
  • Any other vaccines the facility requires

If you've already submitted these during booking, double-check with the facility whether you need to bring them again — it saves time at drop-off.

4. Emergency Contact Information

Even if you've already provided this during booking, bring a written card with:

  • Your cell phone number
  • A backup contact (friend or family member nearby)
  • Your vet's name and phone number
  • Your destination contact info if you're reachable

Tape it to the outside of your dog's belongings bag so it's instantly accessible.

Comfort Items: What Helps Your Dog Settle

5. Something That Smells Like Home

This is the secret weapon most first-time boarders don't know about: scent.

Dogs experience the world through their noses, and familiar smells are incredibly calming. Pack one of these:

  • A worn t-shirt or hoodie of yours (unwashed — the stronger the scent, the better)
  • A pillowcase from your bed
  • Their favourite blanket

Place it in their sleeping area at the facility. Many dogs will curl up on it immediately. It's one of the simplest, most effective comfort tools you can provide — and it costs nothing.

6. Their Own Bed or Blanket

If your dog has a favourite bed, crate pad, or blanket they sleep on every night, bring it. Familiar textures help dogs relax in new environments.

Just make sure it's something you don't mind getting a little dirty or worn. Boarding facilities do their best to keep things clean, but accidents happen, and items can sometimes get damaged in group play situations.

Label it clearly with your dog's name using a permanent marker or an attached tag.

What NOT to Pack

7. Rawhides, Bones, or High-Value Chews

These can trigger resource guarding in group environments — even in dogs who don't show that behaviour at home. If a dog feels they need to protect a high-value item, it can lead to conflict with other dogs.

Most boarding facilities won't allow them for safety reasons, so save these treats for when your dog is back home with you.

8. Food Bowls and Water Dishes

The facility provides these. Packing your own just creates extra items to keep track of, and they're likely to get mixed up with other dogs' belongings anyway.

9. An Entire Wardrobe of Clothing

If your dog wears a sweater or coat in cold weather, one is fine — especially if you're boarding during an Edmonton winter. But multiple outfits? Skip it. Boarding staff have a lot to manage, and keeping track of daily wardrobe changes isn't a good use of their time (or yours).

The Full Packing Checklist

Here's the version you can screenshot and reference:

Must-Haves:

  • Regular food (pre-portioned and labelled)
  • Medications (with clear instructions)
  • Vaccination records
  • Emergency contact info

Comfort Items:

  • Worn t-shirt or blanket that smells like you
  • Dog's own bed or sleeping blanket

Optional (If Relevant):

  • Sweater or coat (for cold-weather dogs)
  • Calming supplements (check with facility first)

Leave at Home:

  • Rawhides, bones, high-value chews
  • Food/water bowls
  • Multiple outfits
  • New or unfamiliar toys
  • Expensive or irreplaceable items

Pro Tips from the Doghive Team

Label Everything

Use a permanent marker or luggage tags. Even if you think staff will remember which blanket is yours, labels prevent mix-ups — especially during busy holiday boarding seasons.

Keep It Simple

The more items you pack, the more there is to manage, lose, or confuse with someone else's belongings. Pack thoughtfully, not excessively.

Communicate Special Needs in Writing

If your dog has quirks — they need their toy to sleep, they're scared of loud noises, they only drink from certain types of bowls — write it down. Don't rely on verbal handoff alone. A written note ensures every staff member who interacts with your dog has the information they need.

Trust the Facility

Reputable boarding facilities are set up to care for dogs without requiring you to pack half your house. They have beds, bowls, enrichment toys, and routines. Your job is to bring the personal essentials — theirs is to provide the rest.

Ready to Book Your Dog's Stay?

At Doghive, we make boarding as stress-free as possible for both you and your dog. Our overnight guests enjoy comfortable sleeping areas, familiar faces (the same team they know from daycare), daily play and enrichment, and optional grooming add-ons. Whether you're gone for a weekend or a week, your dog is in great hands.