  Traveling and Fur Kids - Vacation Time! |
On The RoadBefore taking off, make sure your Companion is medically ready for the trip. Vaccinations should all be current,and you may need proof of this for emergency boarding, Veterinary treatment, crossing borders, and airline travel. The vaccinations you will need may be different than what is needed in your own community. Check with your Vet and the emergency Vet in the area you are traveling to. Speaking of which, before you go, check for emergency and non emergency Veterinarians available in the area you are traveling to. A Yellow Page search here on the net should suffice. Call ahead to get address, hours of availability, and cost of exams. This may be a good time to purchase Veterinarian Care Insurance, so as to avoid any unexpected expenses while you are on the road.You may also want to check on special medical issues that are prominent in the area you'll be vacationing in. Ticks carrying Lyme disease are more prevalent in some areas. Heartworm is more common in some areas over others. Fire Ants can create a torturous experience for Dogs. Does your Companion get car sick? If you're not sure, check this out with a few short trips beforehand. If this is a problem, talk to your Vet about motion sickness pills. If s/he gets real nervous, then you may also want to consider tranquilizers, though this may be an indication that s/he is better left at home. This is not advisable when flying as at increased altitudes sedation can cause respiratory and/or cardio vascular problems. Again this is a good thing to discuss with your Vet. Car rides can cause problems, so precaution and preperation are again important. Dogs should not be allowed to ride with their heads out the window. Flying objects can get into their eyes, ears and nose. Excessive amounts of cold air rushing into the lungs can also cause respiratory problems. If your Dog or Cat has never traveled before, you may want to try a few short excursions first to make sure that s/he is amendable to such. Take food with you. The brands you normally feed may be unavailable. Changing diets suddenly can be fatal. Have fresh water in jugs for the drive, as well as water and feed bowls. Water is important as chanes in water can cause stomach upset. A couple of rags for cleanups might save your beach towel from an early trip to the laundromat. If your Companion usually sleeps on a cushion, put a towel over it for a few days before the trip and then take the towel with you to place on the car seat, in the carrier and where you'll be bedding down your Companion.. This will provide a scent of security for your loved one. And don't forget her/his favorite toys! Once you are in the car, note that it is very dangerous for her/him to be loose. We've recieved many calls from people who have lost their Dog or Cat at a rest stop because s/he jumped out unexpectantly. There are harnesses that can be attached to seat belts for Dogs. These also prevent the hazards of sudden stops and gives your Dog the same protection you have when using a seat belt. Cats are far safer in carriers than riding loose on the shelf behind the back seat. As cute as that looks, it is very dangerous. Secure the carrier to the seat with the seat belt. Heat can be the greatest danger for Animals on the road. Never ever leave an Animal in a car with windows closed. Leaving Animals in the car even with two windows open to create a cross draft can be dangerous. Pet theft is a real threat in the US. Many Animals die every year of heat stroke because they've been left in the car. Your tolerance for heat may be greater than your Dog's or Cat's. There are solar powered fans that will fit in the windows to keep air circulating. You may want to consider finding one to help keep your Companion safe from the heat. In some states you can bring a small dog or Cat in a carrier onboard a bus or train, in others it is illegal. Commute hour trains may create a very nerve racking experience for your Companion, so scheduling becomes important. When staying at hotels, and even though you've asked the front desk about having your Dog with you, do not expect the cleaning personnel to be aware of her/his exsistence. If you must leave your Dog in the room when you are gone, put up a no disturb sign and inform the cleaning people of the fact that Spot is in there. They may not be as Dog friendly as you are and their intrusion in the room could create a problem. In case all of this has disuaded you from taking your Companion Animal on the road with you, have no fear. Check out Petsitter's Tips and the printable Petsitters Checklist. If not, get yourself a copy of our printable Travel Checklist to help you organize for the great adventure. May your summer plans create joy for you and yours! PetSitter Tips Traveler's Checklist Flying With Animals Camping Tips Petsitters Checklist |
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