What to Pack for Your Dog's Stay at Noah's, and What to Leave Home

Packing for a first boarding stay is easy to overthink. Owners show up with a bag full of bedding, toys and backup food, only to find out most of it was already covered. Knowing what Noah's provides, and what actually isn't allowed in the suites, makes the drop-off simpler for everyone.

What Noah's Already Provides

Every dog gets a fleece blanket in their suite, and pet cots are available on request if your dog prefers to sleep up off the floor. Food is provided at no extra cost, Lamb and Rice dry food alongside a chicken and rice wet food, served in stainless steel dishes that get washed daily, with fresh water available around the clock. Dogs also get a treat at lunchtime and again at bedtime as part of the daily routine, no request needed. None of this costs extra either, there's no fee for twice-daily feedings, cot rentals, or bringing a bed from home instead of using the one provided.

Feeders for Dogs With Special Needs

If your dog eats too fast, or has a joint issue that makes bending down to a regular bowl uncomfortable, raised and slow feeders are available on request at no extra charge. It's a small thing to mention when you book, but it's worth mentioning rather than assuming it isn't an option, since it isn't listed on the price sheet the way boarding rates are.

What to Bring From Home

• Your dog on a leash or in a carrier for drop-off
• A familiar-scent item, like a blanket, pillowcase or old t-shirt
• Your own food from home if your dog is particular about diet, though it isn't required
• A favorite toy, as long as it's on the allowed list below
• Any medication, kept in its original bottle

If this is your dog's first time boarding anywhere, the familiar-scent item is worth prioritizing over everything else on this list. A blanket, pillowcase or old t-shirt that smells like home does more to settle a new dog into an unfamiliar suite than a toy ever will, and it's the one item that costs nothing and takes no planning to grab on your way out the door.

What to Leave at Home

Rope toys, rawhide and bully sticks aren't allowed in the suites at Noah's. Tennis balls are fine, and get plenty of use out in the play yard. If your dog has a favorite chew toy that falls into the not-allowed category, it's worth packing a backup instead so they're not left without anything familiar to gnaw on.

If Your Dog Has Special Dietary or Medical Needs

Noah's can work with special diets and medication schedules, and staff have used cheese, peanut butter, chicken nuggets and Pill Pockets to get medicine down without a fuss. Bring any medication in its original bottle so dosing instructions are clear. Noah's can't accommodate dogs with contagious diseases or parasites, for the safety of the other guests in the building. Any medical questions beyond day-to-day dosing are best directed to your own vet, since Noah's staff aren't a veterinary practice.

Add-Ons Worth Booking Ahead of Time

None of these need to be packed, just requested, which is arguably easier. Options include doggy ice cream, a frozen peanut butter Kong, a treat puzzle, nail dremel or trim, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, a bath or brushout, and noon feedings if your dog's usually a three-meal-a-day animal. If your dog's stay lines up with a birthday, the Birthday Pawty add-on gets them digital photos with props and a backdrop, an ice cream treat, and a take-home goody bag with a birthday bone, an invitation, a bandana and a plush toy.

Discounts Worth Asking About

There's a 5% coupon available for a first boarding stay, a military discount, and a discount on activities for long-term stays and multi-pet families. None of these show up automatically on a quote, so it's worth asking when you book rather than assuming they've already been applied.

Pickup and Checkout

Checkout is before noon most days, 11am on Sundays. If pickup runs past that window, it counts as another full boarding day, so it's worth building a little buffer into your travel plans on the way home. Outside of regular hours, an after-hours pickup or drop-off runs $10 plus $1 per minute early or late.