Travelling with your pets

Holiday season is nearly upon us! If you are heading out to the bach or off to visit the extended family and enjoy taking you beloved fury friends along, here are a few helpful hints to make travelling with your pets as stress free as possible for everybody.

Plan ahead

Preparation is the key to successful holidays. If you do decide to take your pet along, you must take as much care with the preparation of your pet’s trip as your own. If you plan to travel by plane or boat, find out if your pet will be welcome and what kind of reservations and transport arrangements must be made. If you’ll be staying at hotels, motels or campgrounds, you must check if animals are allowed or if kennel facilities are available.
Travelling by car

• If your pet is not used to being in a car, take him or her for a few short rides before your trip. Your cat will probably be most comfortable in a carrier.

• Pets should NEVER be allowed to put their heads outside the window when riding in a car. Dirt particles or stones flicked up by tyres can cause injury or infections.

• Dogs travelling in the back of utes should be either caged or tethered. The lead or chain should be attached to a harness or secure neck collar, with the other end securely fastened to a point near the middle of the cabin. The chain or lead should be of a length that will allow the dog to lie down, stand and move about, but should be short enough so that the dog cannot put its legs over the ute’s sides or climb onto the roof of the cabin.

• Plan ‘snack’, exercise and rest stops about every two hours if you’re taking a long drive.

• Give the main meal at the end of the day. Dry food is most convenient, but if your pet needs canned food, dispose of any unused portions if they cannot be refrigerated.

• It is not recommended to leave your dog or your cat in a parked car for a prolonged period of time. If you must leave your pet in a parked car, lock all doors and open windows enough to provide good ventilation, without allowing them enough room to jump out or get their head caught. Remember, on hot days the temperature in a parked car can rise to dangerous levels in just minutes and your pet could die of heat stroke.

Before travelling away from home with your pet, it is important to make sure they are microchiped. If for some reason you pet should stray, this is the best way to identify them and get them back home.

Also keep in mind that not all animals will cope with travel. Some would prefer to stay home with a friend or neighbour minding them. You could even look into a boarding kennel facility in your area.

Either way, have a fun summer with your fury friends. And enjoy your holiday season!
From the team at South Wairarapa Vets.