You’ve made a decision to take your pet along on vacation. It will be more fun, and you won’t need certainly to worry about leaving a person in 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.
Taking a Road Trip
If you’re driving together with your pet, you’ll need to discover a comfortable and safe method for your pet to travel. You can place your pet in a carrier and secure it in the car. Alternatively, you can purchase a seatbelt-like harness for your pet that may allow him to be out from the carrier but nevertheless safely restrained. It isn’t safe allowing your pet to roam freely in the car. They can be seriously hurt in the case of even a accident, and he is much prone to escape and become lost whenever you make stops.
Don’t leave your pet alone in the vehicle, especially in hot weather. The heat can quickly become life-threatening. If your pet becomes carsick easily, you may want to ask your veterinarian for motion-sickness medicine before the trip.
Carry some of your pet’s food along with you, and feed your pet only small amounts of food at a time. If your trip is short, you may want to possess your pet wait and eat whenever you arrive to prevent carsickness. It’s also wise to carry some of your pet’s water along, or purchase bottled water. Local regular 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 using their pets because it may be traumatic for them, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. Unless your pet is really small, he’ll fly as cargo and not in the cabin with you. Check together with your airline to find out which kind of carrier is acceptable and what rules apply to flying with a pet. Also ask what safety precautions come in place, what conditions your pet will fly in, etc. Ask your veterinarian if your pet is well enough to fly or if there are any special precautions you need to take.
International Travel
Taking your pet out from the country requires careful planning. Check the regulations for the nation you’re traveling to and verify that your pet has the required vaccinations. In some cases, you’ll must have the vaccines administred weeks before your departure date.
Most countries will require a Rabies Vaccination Certificate and a Health Certificate. Your veterinarian can help you obtain both of these. The nation 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’ll require your pet to keep in a kennel for several months.
Pet Friendly Hotels
A quick search on the Internet can help you find hotels which can be receptive to pets. Many travel sites also permit you to specify only pet-frienly accommodations. Talk with the hotel to find their specific rules regarding staying with a pet.
If your pet requires walks, ask for an area that opens on the outside. This will be more convenient for those night time trips outdoors.
Many alternative lodging sites, such as resorts, cabins and bed and breakfasts are also ready to accept receiving pets. Check ahead of time for availability where you’re traveling. Since many of these vacation spots offer outdoor activities, they can be great alternatives for pet owners.
What Will your Pet do All day long?
You realize how you’ll travel, and you’ve found a hotel that may welcome your pet, so now what? What’ll your pet do all day when you’re out having a great time?
An outside vacation is an ideal choice if you’re traveling with pets. Consider renting an RV and taking a camping vacation. Many RV rental agencies allow pets with an extra deposit. A visit to the beach is another good option for pet owners. However, keep in mind that sand can be irritating for 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 a lot 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 where you are staying. If you’d like to pay mealtime together with your pet and no pet-friendly restaurants are nearby, you could consider takeout as well as 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 hotel room all day. You may be able to put your pet in his carrier for shorter excursions, but also for all day trips, consider researching pet daycare centers or kennels available in the area. You can leave your pet for a couple hours in a secure environment but nevertheless 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 improve your pet’s diet, and you need to certainly avoid giving your pet any table scraps. Traveling can be stressful regardless how careful you’re, and you don’t need the added complication of stomach upset for your pet.
Don’t give your dog the neighborhood water, especially when 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. It’s also wise to bring some basic first-aid supplies in case there is injury. Ask your veterinarian what ought to be a part of your pet’s medical kit. These might include medicines for stomach upset and a mild tranquilizer in the event your pet becomes extremely agitated. You can get pre-stocked pet medical kits at many pet supply stores.
To make your pet much more comfortable, bring along a few items from home. Bring some of your pet’s bedding and a number of his favorite toys. Bring only treats your pet has eaten in the past without any stomach upset. Again, this isn’t the time and energy to try any new foods. pet passport The carrier you bring ought to be large enough for your pet to keep comfortably inside for a couple hours. He should be able to stand, lay down and turnaround easily within it. Also, be certain 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 ask for advice concerning any of your pet’s health conditions. Remember that if you’re traveling outside the nation, you may want to plan weeks in advance.
Make sure your pet has current identification mounted on his collar, and so it fits well and isn’t likely to slide off. You should consider having an identification chip implanted before your trip, but you’ll need to talk about 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 incident or illness does occur, you’ll be grateful that you don’t need certainly to take some time to find you to definitely look after your pet.
Produce a packing list for your 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 with you in case you need to call and ask an eleventh hour question or have your pet’s records sent to some other clinic.
Take time to really 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 before the big day so that it won’t be so traumatic. Another benefit to this approach 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 wash and transport them. If traveling with a dog, make sure you bring baggies to wash 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 wash 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 perfect position for his accident, this can take away the odor and stain before it has a change to set.
Never open your pet’s carrier unless you’re in a specific room. Pets can move a whole lot more quickly than you are able to, and nothing will ruin your vacation faster than losing your traveling companion.