Boarding packing checklist
What to Pack for Dog Boarding, and What to Leave at Home
The right boarding bag is small. It holds the things the care team will actually use every day, one item that smells like home, and nothing that would upset you if it came back chewed. Everything else your dog needs for a stay is already in the room.
Parkwood Pet Resort · Updated September 27, 2026
Pack what the team will use every day
Start with food. Bring the food your dog eats now, measured into individual meals and labeled with your dog’s name, the meal and the day. Add one or two extra days in case travel runs long. A sudden change of food during an already unusual week is the most common cause of an upset stomach at boarding, so this is not the time to try a new brand.
Medication goes in its original container with the pharmacy label visible and a written note that says the dose, the time and how it is given. Parkwood follows the meal and medication instructions you provide, and the clearer the instructions, the fewer questions at drop-off. Bring current vaccine records if they are not already on file, and make sure the resort has your veterinarian’s number and a local emergency contact.
- Food portioned by meal and labeled, plus spare days
- Medication and supplements in original containers with written directions
- Vaccine records if not already sent
- Veterinarian contact and a local emergency contact
- A flat collar or harness with an ID tag
Choose one comfort item, and make it washable
A small blanket or a worn T-shirt that smells like home is the comfort item most dogs respond to. It gives the room a familiar scent without adding much to carry, and it can go through a washing machine if it gets dirty. One item is enough; a pile of belongings does not make a room more familiar, it makes it more cluttered and harder to keep clean.
Ask the resort before packing toys or chews. Some are fine in a private room, some are not safe when a dog is alone, and the answer depends on the item and the dog. If your dog guards toys or destroys them when stressed, say so. A toy that is a comfort at home can be a problem in a new place.
What to leave at home
Leave anything you would be upset to lose or find damaged. Boarding rooms are cleaned daily, dogs relieve themselves, chew and dig at bedding when bored, and items go through laundry. The expensive orthopedic bed, the heirloom blanket, and the toy that cannot be replaced should stay home.
Leave food your dog has never eaten, human food, and treats you have not cleared with the resort. Leave rawhide or bone-type chews unless the team specifically approves them for a private room. Leave clothing unless your veterinarian has a reason for it; a room with a real bed is warm enough for most dogs, and a sweater a dog cannot take off is a nuisance at best.
- Valuables and anything irreplaceable
- A large bed or crate, unless the resort asks for one
- New foods, human food and unapproved treats
- Chews that are not safe unsupervised
- Retractable leashes, which are harder for staff to manage than a standard lead
Label everything and write one page
Every container, bag and blanket should carry your dog’s name and your last name. Two dogs named Max can be in the same building on the same day. Labeling is also how belongings find their way back to you at pickup.
Then write a single page the team can read in a minute. Meals, medication, bathroom habits, how your dog settles, what stress looks like, who to call and when. The vacation boarding guide has a fuller template; the point here is that an instruction sheet is part of the packing list, not an afterthought.
What Parkwood already provides
Every Parkwood boarding guest has a private room with a real bed, so the bag does not need bedding. Daytime play is included for eligible social guests, with water and a midday siesta built into the day. Daily photo updates and live webcams are part of every stay, and Pikesville’s luxury bedrooms add a television and 24-hour camera access. Bowls, cleaning and overnight supervision are the resort’s job.
If you want your dog to come home clean, request a grooming appointment separately at Pikesville or Locust Point; grooming is not offered at West Baltimore. Confirm what the resort provides for your dog’s specific room on the free tour so you pack once, correctly.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Should I bring my dog’s bed to boarding?
Parkwood rooms have a real bed, so you do not need to. A small washable blanket that smells like home is a better choice than a large bed that may be damaged or hard to clean.
Can I bring my dog’s own food?
Yes, and you should. Bring the food your dog eats now, portioned by meal and labeled, with a day or two extra in case travel is delayed.
Are toys and chews allowed in the room?
It depends on the item and the dog. Ask the resort before packing them, and tell the team if your dog guards or destroys toys under stress.
What paperwork do I need at drop-off?
Current vaccine records and the annual fecal test result if they are not already on file, plus your veterinarian’s contact details, a local emergency contact and a written meal and medication sheet.
Confirm services with the right Parkwood location
Use our published service and location details to plan your questions. Confirm current availability, pricing and your dog’s eligibility with the resort before booking.
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