What to pack for your dog's first boarding stay 

While you may be heading away with luggage that asks a lot of the zippers, packing for your pup’s boarding stay is thankfully much simpler. With a clear dog boarding checklist, you can sort the must-brings, dodge the overpacking spiral, and help your pooch start their stay on the right paw.

For a stay at Kip, you’re really packing four things: documentation, food, medication and comfort. Everything else is either provided by us or best left safely at home.

A smart little packing list helps your pooch settle into resort life, keeps their regular routine ticking along, and gives our team the need-to-know details before the welcome sniffs begin. Before your hound heads to their first dog boarding stay, here’s what to bring, what to skip and what Kip already has covered.

The quick checklist

First time dog boarding? Before we get into the paw-ticulars, here’s the short version: your pup does not need a monogrammed overnight bag or a curated chew-toy capsule. What they do need is the essentials that help keep them safe, their routine familiar, their tummy happy, and their stay running smoothly.

Use this dog boarding checklist before check-in:

• Vaccination certificate: Upload your dog’s current C5 (or equivalent) vaccination record to your Customer Portal, plus any follow-up details your Kip team has requested before check-in.
• Emergency Contact details: Provide an emergency contact that is not travelling with you, and your vet clinic’s direct details.
• Medication: Pack any medication in original packaging with clear dosage instructions, and let your Kip team know before check-in.
• Food from home: If your pooch has allergies, a prescription diet, a sensitive tummy or strong food preferences, bring labelled food and feeding instructions.
• Health notes: Share anything helpful, from allergies and mobility needs to anxiety triggers, handling quirks or bedtime habits.

Documentation and paperwork

The paperwork part is simple, but important. Before your pup checks in for their dog boarding, make sure their vaccination details are uploaded to your Kip Customer Portal so the team can review everything before arrival. It makes check-in smooth and helps keep the whole pack safe.

Dogs staying at Kip need an up-to-date C5 or equivalent vaccination that stays valid for the full length of their visit. If your dog's previous vaccination has lapsed by more than 14 days, we ask that the new vaccine be given at least 10 days before check-in. If your pooch is checking in within 10 days of their most recent vaccination, we may also need details of their immediately previous vaccination.

Without proof of current vaccinations, unfortunately we won't be able to welcome your furry friend for their holiday at Kip for the safety of all other pets in our care.

Outside of vaccination paperwork, you’ll also need to provide your contact details, a backup emergency contact of a trusted human who is not travelling with you (especially if you won't be easily contactable while your pup is with us), and your vet clinic’s name and direct phone number. If your pup takes medication, let your Kip team know at the time of booking and complete any medication authority details..

For location-specific questions or special care needs, chat to your Kip team before your dog’s visit.

Food and feeding

Some dogs clean their bowl, no questions asked. Others are full-time barkuterie critics, have allergies, sensitive tummies or special feeding needs.

Kip dog boarding provides bowls and premium Royal Canin food during dog boarding, so most eaters don’t need a pantry packed from home. But, if your pooch is particular or does better with their usual food, you can pack it for their stay. Here’s how:

1. Pre-portion each meal into labelled zip-lock bags, with one bag per feeding.
2. Label it with your pup’s name, meal time and any serving notes. 
3. For prescription diets, label everything clearly and include your vet’s feeding instructions. 
4. Pack two extra days of food.  It’s a handy buffer in case of travel delays, weather hiccups or holiday plans that get hairy.
5. Try not to change your pup’s food in the week before their stay. A sudden switch can upset their tummy, and in a new environment, it can be harder to tell what’s food-related and what’s first-stay flutters.

Medications and health items

Medication is handled carefully at Kip, and a clear pack helps the team give the right dose, at the right time, in the right way. If your pup takes medication, supplements or regular preventatives, pack them like this, so their routine is easy to follow during their stay:

• Medication: Pack medication in the original packaging, with the vet-prescribed dosage instructions easy to read. Include when each dose should be given and whether it needs to be taken with food.
• Pre-measure doses: Separate morning, evening or bedtime doses where possible, while keeping the original packaging packed too.
• Label Supplements: Label containers with your dog’s name, dosage and timing.
• Check expiration on medication: Check flea, tick and worming expiration dates before drop-off to make sure they’re current.

Comfort items that actually help

For first-time dog boarding, comfort usually comes down to scent more than stuff. Your pup won’t need a full kennel curation, but a small item that smells like home can be genuinely helpful.

A worn t-shirt or small unwashed blanket is often the best choice. Dogs understand the world through scent, and research into canine olfaction shows familiar human smells can be reassuring. If your dog loves toys, pack one low-value chew toy. Think familiar boredom-buster, not the squeaky duck they would name in the will. In a new environment with other dogs nearby, favourite toys can become contested.

Kip provides bedding in every suite, so you don't need to pack any.

What not to pack

Dog boarding essentials should be simple. If it is expensive, sentimental, enormous, easily swallowed or likely to start a “that’s mine” moment, leave it at home.

• High-value toys or chews: Leave the extra-special favourites at home. In group play environments, prized toys can become contested, which may lead some dogs to compete over them or guard them.
• Rawhides or aggressive chews: These can be choking or obstruction risks, especially when your dog is in a new environment or not under one-on-one chew supervision.
• Expensive or sentimental items: Dogs play, slobber, nest, chew and occasionally make bold choices with their belongings. If you would be upset if it came home worn, marked or missing an ear, keep it safely at home.
• Large bedding sets: Kip provides bedding in every suite, so your dog doesn’t need their entire bedroom packed in the boot. Big bedding setups may not fit into a standard suite.

Special considerations for your dog’s first stay

• Short trial stay: Book a single overnight before a longer holiday stay. It gives your pup a chance to check out the holiday digs, meet the team and try the routine.
• Meet-and-greet: Arrange an assessment before their first stay. The Kip dog boarding team can get to know your dog's temperament, social style and care needs.
• Separation anxiety: Pack with scent in mind. A work t-shirt or small blanket from home can help, and gradual pre-stay visits may be useful for nervous pups.
• First-time puppies: Check the minimum age and vaccination timing prior. Puppies need to meet Kip’s requirements before boarding, including enough time after their puppy vaccinations.

What Kip provides

A Kip stay is light on luggage and high on resort-ready care. We provide all the dog boarding essentials:

• Bedding: Comfy bedding is provided in every suite for rest time and overnight snuggles.
• Food and water bowls: Food and water bowls are all provided, so no need to pack the whole dinnerware department.
• Fresh water: Clean water is refreshed throughout the day.
• Enrichment: Kip provides daily enrichment to keep your pup engaged.

Book your dog’s first stay at Kip

Find your nearest Kip pet resort and book a meet-and-greet and give them a pre-stay sniffari before check-in. It’s a soft launch for resort life, so their first Kip dog boarding stay starts on the right paw.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my dog’s own bed to boarding?

Dog beds are generally not on the dog boarding checklist. If your dog has strong preferences, check with your Kip team to see if they can accommodate the bed, as suite sizes may not allow for it. Kip provides comfy bedding in every suite, so most dogs don’t need to bring one from home.

Should I bring treats or toys to dog boarding?

Check with your local Kip team about treat and toy limits. You may be able to bring 1 or 2 simple toys if it suits your dog’s routine, but keep them low-value and clearly labelled. Skip prized toys that may become contested.

Do I need to bring food for dog boarding?

No. Kip provides premium kibble food for every guest as part of the base rate. If, however, your pup has a prescribed diet or is fussy about their food, you can bring your pup’s food from home, and the Kip team can serve it to them at mealtimes for a small extra fee.  Make sure it’s clearly labelled and portioned out per meal.

How do I handle medication during a boarding stay?

If your dog requires daily medication, we can handle administering it for a small fee. Pack any medication in its original packaging, ensure it’s clearly labelled with your pup’s name and include the dosage instructions. 

Can I bring a familiar item with my dog’s scent?

Yes, you can bring a familiar scent item to help your pup settle. A worn t-shirt or small, unwashed blanket is ideal. Choose something soft, safe and replaceable, not the heirloom throw with emotional significance.

How far in advance should I drop off

For your pup’s first time dog boarding, arrive at your scheduled drop-off time rather than too early. Kip’s check-in process is designed to help your pup settle smoothly with a calm handover.