You’ve decided to take your pet along on vacation. It may well be more fun, and you won’t need to concern yourself with leaving a member of your family behind in an unfamiliar kennel. With some extra planning and forethought, you’ll have a secure and enjoyable trip together with your pet.
Having a Road Trip
If you’re driving together with your pet, you’ll need to find a comfortable and safe way for your pet to travel. You are able to place your pet in a carrier and secure it in the car. Alternatively, you can aquire a seatbelt-like harness for the pet that’ll allow him to be out of the carrier but nevertheless safely restrained. It isn’t safe to allow your pet to roam freely in the car. He can be seriously hurt in the case of even a minor accident, and he’s much prone to escape and become lost whenever you make stops.
Don’t leave your pet alone in the automobile, especially in hot weather. Heat can quickly become life-threatening. If your pet becomes carsick easily, you might want to ask your veterinarian for motion-sickness medicine ahead of the trip.
Carry some of one’s pet’s food along, and feed your pet only small amounts of food at a time. If your trip is short, you might want to have your pet wait and eat whenever you arrive to prevent carsickness. You should also carry some of one’s pet’s water along, or purchase bottled water. Local regular water may contain different minerals or sulphur, that might upset your pet’s stomach.
Flying together with your pet
Many pet owners do not like to fly with their pets because it can be traumatic for them, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. Unless your pet is very small, he will fly as cargo and not in the cabin with you. Check together with your airline to ascertain which kind of carrier is acceptable and what rules affect flying with a pet. Also ask what safety precautions are in place, what conditions the pet will fly in, etc. Ask your veterinarian if your pet is well enough to fly or if there are any special precautions you must take.
International Travel
Taking your pet out of the country requires careful planning. Check the regulations for the united states you’re traveling to and verify your pet has the necessary vaccinations. In some instances, you’ll must have the vaccines administred weeks before your departure date.
Most countries will need a Rabies Vaccination Certificate and a Health Certificate. Your veterinarian can allow you to obtain both of these. The united states you’re traveling to may require that you complete paperwork gaining permission to bring your pet in to the country. Also, some countries have quarantine regulations that may require your pet to remain in a kennel for approximately several months.
Pet Friendly Hotels
A quick search on the Internet will help you find hotels which can be receptive to pets. Many travel sites also allow you to specify only pet-frienly accommodations. Seek advice from the hotel to find their specific rules regarding staying with a pet.
If your pet requires walks, require a space that opens on the outside. This may well be more convenient for those evening trips outdoors.
Many alternative lodging sites, such as for example resorts, cabins and bed and breakfasts are also available to receiving pets. Check ahead of time for availability where you’re traveling. Since many of these vacation spots offer outdoor activities, they may be great alternatives for pet owners.
What Will your Pet do All day?
You understand how you’ll travel, and you’ve found a resort that’ll welcome your pet, so now what? What’ll your pet do all day when you’re out having fun?
An outside vacation is a perfect choice if you’re traveling with pets. Consider renting an RV and taking a camping vacation. Many RV rental agencies allow pets having an extra deposit. A visit to the beach is another good choice for pet owners. However, keep in mind that sand could be irritating to some pets, especially dogs with deep skin folds. Some animals are bothered by long sun exposure as well.
If you’re spending lots of time outdoors, keep plenty of cold water available and watch your pet for signs of heat exhaustion.
Some restaurants now provide outdoor seating that is also pet friendly. Check ahead of time if any are available near what your location is staying. If you’d like to invest mealtime together with your pet and no pet-friendly restaurants are near by, you could consider takeout or even picnicing outdoors.
What if you’re taking a more traditional vacation? Many tourist attractions will not welcome your pet, and it isn’t recommended to leave your pet alone in a strange accommodation all day. Maybe you are able to put your pet in his carrier for shorter excursions, but also for all day trips, consider researching pet daycare centers or kennels for sale in the area. You are able to leave your pet for some hours in a secure environment but nevertheless enjoy his company on your own trip.
What to Take Along
Bring your pet’s food along or plan to purchase it as needed. This is not a good time to change your pet’s diet, and you must certainly avoid giving your pet any table scraps. Traveling could be stressful regardless how careful you’re, and you don’t need the added complication of stomach upset for the pet.
Don’t give your puppy the local water, particularly if you’re traveling internationally. It’s safer to offer your pet only bottled water to prevent possible stomach upset.
Bring along any medicines your pet takes, including vitamins, flea medicines, heart worm prescriptions, etc. You should also bring some basic first-aid supplies in case there is injury. Ask your veterinarian what should really be included in your pet’s medical kit. These might include medicines for stomach upset and a mild tranquilizer in case your pet becomes extremely agitated. You can buy pre-stocked pet medical kits at many pet supply stores.
To make your pet convenient, bring along a few items from home. Bring some of one’s pet’s bedding and some of his favorite toys. Bring only treats your pet has eaten in the past without any stomach upset. Again, this isn’t the time for you to try any new foods. pet travel The carrier you bring should really be big enough for the pet to remain comfortably inside for some hours. He should be able to stand, take a nap and turn around easily within it. Also, be sure your pet has fresh water available within the carrier.
A Pre-Trip Checklist
Make an appointment together with your veterinarian. Have your pet examined and any vaccinations done which can be needed. Ask if your pet is healthy enough to visit, and require advice concerning many pet’s health conditions. Understand that if you are traveling outside the united states, you might need to plan weeks in advance.
Make sure that your pet has current identification attached with his collar, and that it fits well and isn’t likely to slip off. You may want to consider having an identification chip implanted before your trip, but you’ll need to discuss together with your veterinarian how soon your pet can travel following the procedure.
Gather cell phone numbers for veterinarians, pet emergency care facilities, kennels, etc. before you leave for every place where you’ll be staying. If an accident or illness does occur, you’ll be grateful that you don’t need to make an effort to find anyone to care for your pet.
Make a packing list for the pet centered on his needs and what your veterinarian recommends. Double-check it as you pack his things. Take your veterinarian’s contact number along just in case you have to call and ask a last second question or have your pet’s records sent to a different clinic.
Take time to get your pet used to his carrier, particularly if it’s new. If you’re driving, take your pet in the automobile for practice trips ahead of the big day so that it won’t be so traumatic. Another benefit to this method is that you’ll learn if your pet become motion sick easily.
If you’re traveling together with your cat, bring a litterbox and litter alongside you. It’s easier to buy cheap plastic litterboxes and throw them away rather than try to clean and transport them. If traveling with your pet dog, make sure you bring baggies to clean up after your pet’s walks.
Embarrassing and Alarming Moments
Pets get stressed when traveling, so accidents can and will happen. Bring some disposable wipes and plastic baggies to clean up after your pet. Another great idea is bringing a tiny bottle of enzyme based cleaner. If your pet selects the hotel carpet as the perfect position for his accident, this could take away the odor and stain before it features a change to set.
Never open your pet’s carrier unless you’re in a specific room. Pets can move far more quickly than you can, and nothing will ruin your vacation faster than losing your traveling companion.