Sleepy, extra hungry or a little loose in the stomach? Here is what is common in the first day or two, and the signs that need a vet.
Skip to When to Call the Vet →You pick your dog up, the tail is wagging, and then the car ride home is silent. Your dog falls asleep, skips dinner, or has a loose stool the next morning. It is stressful to watch, and it is also one of the most common things dog owners ask after a stay. This guide covers what is usually normal, what is not, and what you can do about it. It is general information, not veterinary advice, so when in doubt, call your vet.
Boarding changes almost everything about a dog’s day: new smells, new sounds, other dogs, a different schedule, and time away from you. According to Texas A&M’s veterinary school, these signs are common:
If your dog ate or drank less during the stay, the first thing they may do at home is gulp. A veterinary clinic’s guide to post-boarding issues notes that eating or drinking too fast can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea. Its suggestion is to wait a little before offering a full meal, and to offer a few ice cubes instead of a full bowl if your dog seems very thirsty. Normal eating habits usually return as the routine returns.
A veterinary answer published by Hepper lists four common reasons a dog may have diarrhea after boarding:
New smells, sounds, and time in a kennel can trigger stress-related diarrhea. It is most common in dogs that have never been kennel trained or that are anxious.
Giardia, coccidia, intestinal parasites, and parvovirus are possible. Good facilities require vaccines, and the risk is never zero when dogs share space.
New treats, food-stuffed toys, or medications hidden in soft chews can upset a dog’s stomach, as can any change in diet.
Dogs with food allergies, IBD or other digestive problems can flare when routines change, and a missed medication dose can make it worse.
Kennel cough is a contagious respiratory illness that spreads where dogs share air. The same clinic guide says its symptoms typically appear within ten days of exposure, and lists a persistent hacking cough, low energy, loss of appetite, a low-grade fever, and a runny nose. Unvaccinated dogs are at higher risk. Most cases resolve on their own, but antibiotics are sometimes needed, so a distinctive cough is a reason to schedule a vet visit. Our guide to boarding vaccination requirements explains why the Bordetella timing matters.
Some dogs come home clingy, whiny, or destructive when left alone. Signs listed by the clinic guide include clinginess, whining or barking when alone, excessive drooling, and destructive behavior. If this fits your dog, read how to prepare an anxious dog for boarding and consider a quieter setting next time. That same guide notes private boarding in someone’s home can suit anxious dogs.
BestDogCareIn is a new directory of dog boarding facilities, launching city by city. Browse the city pages and ask each facility about vaccines, illness policies, and how they communicate during a stay.
Find Boarding Near You →Yes, a short readjustment period is common. Texas A&M’s veterinary school notes that dogs may want extra attention, sleep more, or take about a day to settle back into their routine after boarding. If the sleepiness comes with a cough, vomiting, diarrhea, refusing food, or a major change in behavior, call your vet.
Mild loose stools can follow the stress of a new place, and may pass on their own. A veterinary article from Hepper advises calling your regular vet if diarrhea lasts more than 48 hours, is not improving, or is getting worse, and going to an urgent or emergency vet right away if your dog is lethargic, not eating, or vomiting.
Symptoms of kennel cough typically appear within ten days of exposure. Watch for a persistent hacking cough, low energy, loss of appetite, a low-grade fever or a runny nose. Most cases resolve on their own, but call your vet because some dogs need antibiotics.
It is better not to. Stress can lower appetite during a stay, so some dogs overeat or gulp water when they get home, which can upset the stomach. One veterinary clinic suggests waiting a little before offering a full meal and offering ice cubes if your dog seems thirsty, instead of a full bowl of water.
Not necessarily. Stress, a change in treats or food, and exposure to other dogs can all cause mild stomach upset or a cough even at a well-run facility. What matters is how the facility responds: whether it tells you about any incident, keeps records of vaccinations, and answers your questions openly.