Let’s cut through the cute photos, painted paw prints, and “report cards.”
Behind all the branding, doggy daycare is a business.
And like any business, they don’t want to turn away paying customers — even when those customers walk in sneezing, coughing, or… leaking.
Yeah. We said it.
Your dog’s playmate might be sick.
And the staff might know — and still let them in.
“It’s Probably Just Allergies...”
Sound familiar?
That’s what many daycare workers will say when a dog shows up with:
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A light cough
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Slight diarrhea
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Watery eyes
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A runny nose
But here’s what those “minor symptoms” might actually be:
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Kennel cough (highly contagious respiratory infection)
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Giardia (intestinal parasite — very gross, very real)
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Canine influenza (yes, the dog flu is a thing)
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Parvo (rare but deadly, especially in puppies)
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Distemper (airborne and fatal if unvaccinated)
Even something as simple as a sneeze could be the start of a daycare-wide outbreak.
But most daycares don’t want to overreact — or lose a paying spot for the day — so they roll the dice.
And your dog is on the table.
The Dirty Truth About Cleanliness
You’d think doggy daycares would be all over sanitation.
Some are. Many aren’t.
Here’s what we’ve seen first-hand or heard from other pet parents:
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Mop buckets that get reused all day
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Shared water bowls for dozens of dogs
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Outdoor areas rarely disinfected
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Blankets, toys, and bedding never washed
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Staff wearing the same gloves from crate to crate
All of this is a dream come true for viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
Dogs sniff, lick, roll, drool, and poop — and they do it all in shared spaces.
If one dog’s infected, it doesn’t stay a one-dog problem for long.
Why Sick Dogs Still Get In
Let’s break it down:
💰 1. It’s Bad for Business
Turning away a coughing dog = lost money. So unless it’s dramatic (vomiting, bleeding, or visibly miserable), many staff let it slide.
😬 2. Staff Aren’t Trained to Spot Subtle Symptoms
Mild diarrhea? “Probably something they ate.”
Dry cough? “He does that when he’s excited.”
Red flag? Waved away.
🐶 3. Dog Parents Lie (or Genuinely Don’t Know)
Some folks know their dog was up all night with the runs — but drop them off anyway. Others think their pup just has a “weird cough.” It’s not always malicious, but it is risky.
🧼 4. Sanitation Schedules Are Often Lip Service
They clean at the end of the day — not between shifts, not between dogs, not when something gross happens in real time.
How to Know If Your Pup Caught Something
Dogs can’t text you that they’re not feeling great. Watch for:
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Coughing or hacking after daycare
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Sudden diarrhea or vomiting
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Unusual tiredness
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Lack of appetite
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Excessive drinking (can signal giardia)
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Goopy eyes or runny nose
If you see any of these, don’t ignore it — and don’t assume it’s “just tired from playing.”
What You Can Do (Without Sounding Like a Helicopter Dog Parent)
You can still use daycare — but ask the tough questions upfront:
✅ 1. “What’s your sick dog policy?”
Ask how they screen dogs at drop-off. Do they have a health checklist? Do they turn dogs away? Are staff trained to spot symptoms?
✅ 2. “How often do you sanitize water bowls, toys, and crates?”
Be polite — but push for a real answer. Not “regularly.” Ask daily or hourly?
✅ 3. “Do you isolate coughing or symptomatic dogs immediately?”
Some places have quarantine crates. Others pretend it’s not happening.
✅ 4. “What do you do if a dog gets sick during the day?”
You want them to call the owner and remove the dog immediately — not wait until pickup.
✅ 5. Ask Other Dog Parents
Check Google reviews. Reddit. Your local dog Facebook group. People will spill the tea.
Final Thought: Just Because Your Dog Looks Happy, Doesn’t Mean They’re Healthy
Dogs don’t always show symptoms right away.
A wagging tail at pickup doesn’t mean your pup didn’t spend the day breathing in infected air or drinking from a contaminated bowl.
Doggy daycare is not a health bubble.
It’s a public gym, a splash park, and a group sleepover — rolled into one.
And like any crowded, shared environment… germs thrive.
So be the parent who asks questions.
Be the one who pulls their dog at the first cough.
Be the reason your pup stays well — even if the daycare staff looks mildly annoyed.
Your dog’s health isn’t their priority.
It has to be yours.
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