--- title: Boarding a Dog With Food Allergies | Happy Paws url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/boarding-a-dog-with-food-allergies/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/) - Boarding a dog with food allergies or a prescription diet # Boarding a dog with food allergies or a prescription diet Bring your dog's food in its original bag with amounts in cups, and list every allergy on the pet information form. Happy Paws welcomes your own food at no charge, so a dog with food allergies or a prescription diet keeps the same meals. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) For a dog with a food allergy, one wrong snack can undo weeks of careful work. The safest stay is one where the food, the treats and the instructions are decided before drop-off. ## Why strictness matters UC Davis' veterinary health topics page on allergies explains that finding a food allergy takes a diet trial, which runs about eight to twelve weeks on average, with only the prescribed diet fed during that time. That means no table scraps, flavored treats or flavored medications. A dog that has just finished a trial or is partway through one is exactly the dog that should not meet a surprise ingredient at the kennel. ## Bring the food, in the bag Own food is welcome at Happy Paws at no charge. Bring it in the original bag so the ingredient list is visible, and write the amount in cups for each meal. Bring a little extra for a late pick-up. If you use a slow-feeder bowl, bring that too. The house food is a grain-free kibble with wet food, farm-fresh eggs, hot dogs and treats, which suits many dogs but not a dog on a restricted or prescription diet. Skipping the house food and using your own is the simple answer. The [food and treats FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/food/) covers the rest. ## Tell the staff, in writing The pet information form has fields for allergies, health conditions, feeding times, the amount in cups, whether you supply the food and which brand, and any special feeding instructions. Fill them in completely and say plainly which ingredients are off limits. If your dog should have no treats at all, say that. The extras are also worth a look: the Happy Lick Mat comes with peanut butter or cheese ($4.99) and the Happy Pupsicle is beef or chicken ($7.99), so skip them if your dog reacts to those ingredients. ## Plan around the stay Many chewable medications are flavored, so ask your vet which form is safe. Medications are given at no extra charge. Keep the diet the same for a week before the stay, since a change right before travel adds stress. See [switching dog food safely](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/switching-dog-food/) for how to transition, and [food and special diets](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-boarding/food-and-special-diets/) for what Happy Paws does with them. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, dog and cat allergies](https://healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/node/1446) - [Happy Paws Kennels 2026 rate sheet (PDF)](https://happypawskennels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-Rates-EFFECTIVE-1-1-26.pdf) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Food and special diets](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-boarding/food-and-special-diets/) - [Food and treats](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/food/) - [Switching dog food safely](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/switching-dog-food/) - [Slow feeder bowls](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/slow-feeder-bowls/) - [What to bring](https://happypawskennels.com/what-to-bring/) ## Read next - [Puppy socialization before the first boarding stay](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/puppy-socialization-before-the-first-stay/) - [Ticks on dogs in Solano and Yolo counties](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/ticks-on-dogs-in-solano-and-yolo/) - [Hot cars and dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-cars-and-dogs-at-drop-off/) - [How to weigh your dog at home](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-to-weigh-your-dog/) - [Loose stool after boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-diarrhea-after-boarding/) - [Your dog's first day of day care](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/first-day-of-dog-day-care/) - [Car sickness in dogs on the drive to the kennel](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/car-sickness-in-dogs/) - [How to read boarding kennel reviews](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-to-read-boarding-kennel-reviews/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### Can I bring my dog's prescription food? Yes. Bring it in the original bag with the amount in cups for each meal. Own food is welcome at no charge. ### Where do I list my dog's allergies? On the pet information form, which has fields for allergies, health conditions, feeding times and the food brand. ### Should I buy the Lick Mat for an allergic dog? Only if the ingredients are safe. The Lick Mat is peanut butter or cheese, and the Pupsicle is beef or chicken. ### Does my dog's medication need to be unflavored? Ask your vet. Medications are given at no extra charge, so tell the staff what the dog takes and how.