Feeding & Medication: the full procedure

Feed each pet exactly per the owner’s written instructions with labeled, portioned food and fresh water, and give medication only with written authorization while logging every dose.

• Applies to: Kennel attendant (feeding & med-administration trained).
• Frequency: Every feeding and every scheduled dose.
• Scope: Process only — following instructions, portioning, and logging. All medical/medication decisions defer to the pet’s veterinarian and the owner’s written authorization; staff never change a dose or give anything not authorized.

What you need

• Owner feeding/med instruction sheet
• Labeled food bins
• Measuring cup / scale
• Medication log sheet
• Original-labeled medications

The procedure, step by step

1. Read the written plan — Pull the owner’s written feeding and medication instructions from the pet file before each feeding — never feed or medicate from memory.
2. Portion labeled food — Measure the exact amount of the pet’s own labeled food per the schedule; do not substitute or free-feed unless the instructions say so.
3. Provide fresh water — Refill clean, fresh water at each visit and ensure water is always available.
4. Verify med authorization — Confirm written authorization exists and the medication is in its original, vet/pharmacy-labeled container before giving any dose.
5. Match dose to instructions — Give only the authorized medication, dose, and timing (and with/without food) exactly as written — no judgment-call adjustments.
6. Log every dose — Record date, time, medication, dose, and the initials of the staff member who gave it on the medication log.
7. Watch & refer — Note refused meals or anything unusual and refer health concerns to the owner’s veterinarian per the treatment authorization.
8. Secure meds & food — Store medications and food securely and separately, away from other pets’ supplies, between uses.

Quality check before you finish

• Owner’s written plan reviewed before feeding/dosing.
• Correct labeled food, correct portion.
• Fresh water available at every check.
• Written authorization confirmed before any medication.
• Medication in original labeled container.
• Every dose logged with time and initials.
• Refusals/concerns noted and vet-referred.

This is a free, source-anchored standard operating procedure (SOP) you can print and hand to staff. It documents the work sequence for a Pet Boarding & Daycare business — not safety or regulatory rulings, which defer to the cited authorities, the applicable code, and your own health-and-safety plan. Open the tool above to print it, toggle ink-saver, or (with a free ToolFluency Business account) edit it to match your own workflow.

Sources

• NC Animal Welfare Section — Kennel Medication Records (ncagr.gov)
• Pet Boarding & Daycare Magazine — Handling Medications (petboardinganddaycare.com)
• IBPSA — Medication-Handling Best Practices (ibpsa.com)