You're about to board your dog for the first time (or the tenth time) and the packing question always comes up: what should you actually bring? After 12 years of Panama City check-ins, here's the honest, non-intimidating checklist. It's shorter than most people expect.
The essentials
These are the things that make a real difference to your dog's stay:
- Their regular food — enough for the stay plus one extra day just in case your trip runs long. Measure it into daily baggies if you want to make it easy on us (and yourself).
- Any medications, clearly labeled with the dose and timing (morning/evening/with food/etc.). A quick note is perfect — "1 pill with breakfast, 1 pill with dinner."
- A recent copy of vaccine records if we don't already have them on file (Rabies, DHPP/DA2PP, and Bordetella — you can also email or text these ahead of time).
- Emergency contact info — you, plus a backup person we can reach if we absolutely can't get you.
- Your vet's name and phone number so we can coordinate if anything comes up.
The nice-to-haves
Not required, but genuinely helpful for a more comfortable stay:
- A favorite blanket or old t-shirt that smells like home — it's a comfort item for the suite.
- One or two safe toys. Not their whole toy basket, just the 1–2 they actually love. Avoid anything they might destructively chew and swallow without supervision.
- Any treats or chews you're fine with us using for meds or training moments during the stay.
- Their regular collar and ID tag (we'll still use our own tracking system, but a familiar collar helps).
What you can leave at home
A few things people bring out of habit that genuinely aren't needed:
- Food bowls — we provide clean ones sized for your dog.
- A bed or crate — our suites are already set up and comfortable. (That said, if your dog REALLY only sleeps on their own bed, bring it. We're flexible.)
- Leashes and harnesses — we provide these for walks and potty breaks. If you want to bring your own for drop-off and pickup, totally fine.
- A giant bag of treats you bought specifically for the stay. Small portion is plenty.
- The entire toy bin. One or two favorites is better than a pile.
A quick note on food
We strongly recommend bringing your dog's regular food instead of having us substitute ours. Dogs' stomachs are sensitive, and a sudden diet switch during an already-new experience often ends in tummy troubles we'd all rather avoid. Measuring food into daily baggies ahead of time takes five minutes and makes feeding a breeze — we'll take care of the rest.
A quick note on medications
We give medications to dogs all day, every day — pills, liquids, topicals, insulin injections, you name it. What we need from you is clear labeling. "1 pill with breakfast, 1 pill with dinner — both in a piece of cheese is fine" is perfect. If your dog needs something unusual (a puzzle method to take the pill, a specific cheese, whatever), tell us and we'll replicate it exactly.
Drop-off day
Come a little earlier than your actual travel departure so you're not rushed. Bring the checklist items above. We'll do a quick check-in — confirm vaccines, go over feeding and meds, ask about anything special — and your dog goes back to settle in. Most dogs adjust within an hour or two. You'll be on the road with one less thing to worry about.
Pickup day
Pickup is quick — we'll bring your dog out, go over how the stay went, and send you home with any leftover food or belongings. If you added a bath or groom during the stay, your dog will come home smelling like shampoo instead of kennel.
The short list (screenshot this)
For quick reference, here's the short version:
- Food (portioned) + one extra day
- Medications (labeled)
- Vaccine records (if not already on file)
- Emergency contact + vet info
- Comfort item (blanket or t-shirt)
- 1–2 favorite toys
Tell us about your dog
At check-in (or better yet, ahead of time through the booking form), give us a quick picture of your dog's personality and routine. "He's social with most dogs but nervous around big men in hats." "She's food motivated but hates peanut butter." "He sleeps under blankets." "She needs her food soaked for 5 minutes before eating." None of this is weird — it's the kind of detail that helps your dog feel at home from hour one instead of hour twenty. The more specifics the better.
Special diets and allergies
If your dog has food allergies, a prescription diet, or a sensitive stomach, we want to know up front. We've fed dogs on hydrolyzed protein, raw, limited-ingredient, home-cooked, and everything in between. We're not going to substitute anything without asking you first, and we're not going to be offended by a long list of "absolutely nots." Your instructions are the instructions. Bring enough food to cover the whole stay plus that extra day so there's no risk of running short.
Flying out of PCB early?
If you have an early flight out of Panama City, drop your dog off the evening before so you're not racing the clock on travel day. Let us know your schedule when you book and we'll make sure check-in is ready and your dog is settled before you head to the airport.
Ready to book?
If you haven't booked the stay yet, the fastest way is our online booking form — it takes about 90 seconds and handles everything from dates to add-ons to vaccine upload. Or text us with questions first; we're quick to respond during business hours.
Ready to book a happy stay?
We've been caring for Panama City pets since 2013 — 4.9 stars from 574+ local families.
Or call (850) 257-5776Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring my own food when my dog boards?
We recommend it. Sticking with your dog's regular diet prevents stomach upset during an already-new experience. Portion it into daily baggies to make mornings easy on us.
Should I bring my dog's bed?
Our suites are already set up and comfy, so it's optional. If your dog genuinely only sleeps on their own bed, bring it — no problem.
Can you give medications during the stay?
Yes. We give meds all day, every day. Just label clearly with dose and timing and we'll handle the rest.
Do I need to bring toys?
One or two favorites is plenty. Avoid anything they might destructively chew and swallow without supervision.
What if I forget something?
For most things, we can cover it — we keep food, bowls, leashes, and basics on hand. The only things we strictly need are vaccine records and any prescription meds.
Can I send my dog's vaccine records in advance?
Yes, please! A photo or screenshot from your vet portal works great. It speeds up check-in enormously.