You’ve made a decision to take your pet along on vacation. It could be more fun, and you won’t need to bother about leaving a member of your family behind in an unfamiliar kennel. With some extra planning and forethought, you can 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 means for your pet to travel. You can place your pet in a carrier and secure it in the car. Alternatively, you can buy a seatbelt-like harness for the pet that will allow him to be out of the carrier but still safely restrained. It isn’t safe allowing your pet to roam freely in the car. He can be seriously hurt in the event of even a minor accident, and he’s much prone to escape and become lost when you make stops.
Don’t leave your pet alone in the vehicle, especially in hot weather. The heat can swiftly become life-threatening. If your pet becomes carsick easily, you might want to ask your veterinarian for motion-sickness medicine prior to the trip.
Carry some of one’s pet’s food along, and feed your pet only small levels of food at a time. If your trip is short, you might want to possess your pet wait and eat when you arrive to prevent carsickness. It’s also advisable to carry some of one’s pet’s water along, or purchase bottled water. Local tap water may contain different minerals or sulphur, which could upset your pet’s stomach.
Flying together with your pet
Many pet owners do not like to fly with their pets because it could be traumatic for them, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. Unless your pet is tiny, he’ll fly as cargo and not in the cabin with you. Check together with your airline to ascertain what type of carrier is acceptable and what rules apply to flying with a pet. Also ask what safety precautions come 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 should take.
International Travel
Taking your pet out of the country requires careful planning. Check the regulations for the united states you’re visiting and verify your pet has the necessary vaccinations. In some cases, you’ll have to have the vaccines administred weeks before your departure date.
Most countries will require a Rabies Vaccination Certificate and a Health Certificate. Your veterinarian can allow you to obtain both of these. The country you’re visiting may require that you complete paperwork gaining permission to create your pet into the country. Also, some countries have quarantine regulations that may require your pet to stay in a kennel for up to several months.
Pet Friendly Hotels
A quick search on the Internet will help you will find hotels which can be receptive to pets. Many travel sites also enable you to specify only pet-frienly accommodations. Seek advice from the hotel to find their specific rules regarding sticking with a pet.
If your pet requires walks, request a room that opens on the outside. This could be more convenient for those evening trips outdoors.
Many alternative lodging sites, such as for instance resorts, cabins and bed and breakfasts will also be ready to accept receiving pets. Check beforehand for availability where you’re traveling. Since several vacation spots offer outdoor activities, they can be great options for pet owners.
What Will your Pet do All day long?
You realize how you’ll travel, and you’ve found a hotel that will welcome your pet, so now what? What’ll your pet do all day long when you’re out having a good time?
An outside vacation is an ideal choice if you’re traveling with pets. Consider renting an RV and having a camping vacation. Many RV rental agencies allow pets by having an extra deposit. A trip to the beach is another good choice for pet owners. However, bear 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 plenty 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’s also pet friendly. Check beforehand if any can be found near where you are staying. If you’d like to spend mealtime together with your pet and no pet-friendly restaurants are near by, you may consider takeout as well as picnicing outdoors.
What if you’re having a more traditional vacation? Many tourist attractions won’t welcome your pet, and it isn’t recommended to leave your pet alone in a strange hotel room all day. You may well be able to place your pet in his carrier for shorter excursions, but for all day long trips, consider researching pet daycare centers or kennels obtainable in the area. You can leave your pet for some hours in a secure environment but still enjoy his company on your trip.
What things to Take Along
Bring your pet’s food along or plan to buy it as needed. This isn’t a good time to alter your pet’s diet, and you should certainly avoid giving your pet any table scraps. Traveling could be stressful it doesn’t matter how careful you’re, and you don’t need the added complication of stomach upset for the pet.
Don’t give your pet the area water, especially when you’re traveling internationally. It’s safer to provide 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. It’s also advisable to bring some basic first-aid supplies in case of injury. Ask your veterinarian what must be a part of your pet’s first aid kit. These might include medicines for stomach upset and a delicate tranquilizer in case your pet becomes extremely agitated. You can aquire pre-stocked pet first aid kits at many pet supply stores.
To produce your pet convenient, bring along several items from home. Bring some of one’s pet’s bedding and a few of his favorite toys. Bring only treats your pet has eaten previously without stomach upset. Again, this isn’t the time for you to try any new foods. pet transport The carrier you bring must be large enough for the pet to stay comfortably inside for some hours. He should be able to stand, lie down and turn around easily within it. Also, make 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 traveling, and request advice concerning any of your pet’s health conditions. Understand that if you should be traveling outside the united states, you might need to plan weeks in advance.
Ensure that your pet has current identification attached to his collar, and so it fits well and isn’t likely to slide 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 after the procedure.
Gather phone numbers for veterinarians, pet emergency care facilities, kennels, etc. before you leave for each place where you’ll be staying. If an accident or illness does occur, you’ll be grateful that you don’t need to take some time to find anyone to take care of your pet.
Produce 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 in the event you have to call and ask an eleventh hour question or have your pet’s records sent to a different clinic.
Take time to truly get your pet used to his carrier, especially when it’s new. If you’re driving, take your pet in the vehicle for practice trips prior to the big day so 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 get cheap plastic litterboxes and throw them away rather than try to clean and transport them. If traveling with a dog, be sure to 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 small bottle of enzyme based cleaner. If your pet selects the hotel carpet as the right spot for his accident, this can remove the odor and stain before it has a change to set.
Never open your pet’s carrier unless you’re in an enclosed room. Pets can move much more quickly than you can, and nothing will ruin your vacation faster than losing your traveling companion.