A daily care routine for boarding kennels
In a busy kennel, the things that go wrong are rarely the big ones. They are the missed afternoon dose, the dog fed twice because two people each thought the other had not, or the note about a limp that never reached the next shift.
A written daily care sheet prevents most of these. Every kennel's routine is different, and anything medical should be confirmed with the dog's vet, but the structure below works for most facilities.
Feeding and medication times
List every dog with what it eats, how much and when, and every dose with its time. Tick each item as it is done, with the initials of the person who did it. A tick on paper or on screen answers the question 'was it given?' without relying on memory.
Walks, play and cleaning
Plan walks and play time so every dog gets its turn, and note which dogs must not share a play area. Set times for cleaning each kennel and the shared spaces, and record when it was done. A steady routine also helps anxious dogs settle.
Notes on behaviour and health
Write down anything unusual: a dog that did not eat, loose stools, a limp, scratching or a change in mood. Short, dated notes help you spot a pattern and give the owner or the vet accurate information. When in doubt about a health matter, call the vet rather than guess.
Handing over between shifts
At each change of shift, walk through what is still due, any dog that needs watching, and any message for an owner. In Kennelio, each dog's record shows its medication, feeding and handling warnings, and today's care sheet lists every dose due across the building so the next shift sees what is left.
Questions, answered
Is there one correct daily routine for every kennel?
No. Routines vary with the building, the staff and the dogs. What matters is that it is written down and followed by everyone.
Who decides medication doses and times?
The owner and the dog's vet. The kennel follows their instructions and should confirm any doubt with the vet.
Why record who did each task?
It shows that each task was done, and it tells you who to ask if a question comes up later.