Pet’s How to Column for June

How To Travel With Your Pet

It is that time of year. Summer is here and many people are taking vacations with their pets.
It is important to make sure that you are aware of how to take care of your pet while you are vacationing to ensure your pets safety.

Before you leave, make sure the hotel you are planning to stay at accepts pets. You can do this by either checking out their website or calling them direct. When you call, you should find out if there are any restrictions or extra fees.

Before you go, you should find out where the Emergency Veterinary Clinics in the area in which you are going. Anything can happen at any time, and if you are on the road and have no idea where to go in case of an emergency, the results could be devastating.

Even if your pet is completely comfortable with you, they may be frightened because they are not in their own familiar territory. Always have a leash on them before the door is opened to avoid any lost pets.

Many pets tend to get sick while on the road. It is a good idea to keep their food to a minimum and bring along ice instead of water. It is easier on their stomachs rather than huge amounts of water. When traveling by car you should feed your pet a small meal two to three hours before leaving. If you are traveling by airplane, you should feed them a light meal four to six hours prior to traveling. There is also medication that can be given to help with nausea.

You should have a special identification just for traveling that includes its name, your name and address, phone number, the place you are heading and a phone number of someone who knows where you will be in case of a lost pet.

Remember the temperatures could be very hot, so never leave your pet in a closed vehicle, even on cool days. A closed up vehicle is like an oven. Temperatures build up in minutes. Do not think your pet will be okay, even with the windows down. If you are traveling with your pet, you need to be sure that your pet is allowed every where you go. Otherwise you may as well have left your pet at home where he will be safe.

You will meet a lot of strangers on your travel. Be very careful when introducing your pet to strangers because they are out of their comfort area and could be agitated and scared. Even the sweetest pet can be a whole different pet when he is frightened. Do not allow people to approach your pet without supervision.

Never let your pet approach an animal in the wild. Wild animals can be fierce when they feel threatened– even wild animals that have a reputation for being tame. Plus, they carry many diseases.

Don’t forget to stock up on the flea and tick medication.

If you are going on a vacation where you will be doing a lot of walking, it is wise to take along your pet stroller. Remember to take many breaks if you are going on long walks as your pet will need to be rehydrated and rest.

Do not forget his pet bed. This will help him feel more secure at night.

Have a great time vacationing with your pet.