Whether you are taking your pet on a vacation, or visiting family for the holidays, traveling with the four-legged member of the family requires much preparation. Traveling with your dog or cat can be a wonderful bonding experience. The following tips will ensure your time together is an enjoyable, safe one for your family and pet.
Start Healthy – No one wants the family pet to be sick in the car. Before even starting the long adventure, take a short trip to the vet for a quick checkup to ensure your four-legged friend has all of his or her vaccinations up-to-date.
Pet ID Tag – An overlooked aspect when traveling on the road with your pet is to make that sure they wear a permanent and temporary ID tag. If for whatever reason your dog runs away while out on the road, a permanent tag will indicate all of your private contact information, and the temporary tag will include all the information of where you are staying on vacation.
Timely Pit Stops – Even if your pet is used to only going outdoors a couple times a day, while on the road, you should make a habit of timely pit stops. With the movement of the car, along with the excitement of the trip, your pet will most likely be excited, making them want to relieve themselves more often. Never take your cat or dog outside of the car without a leash and a collar with permanent identification, and temporary contact information.
Fluids and Foods – Proper amounts of hydration are required during your pit stops. Be sure your dog or cat has plenty of fresh water, which will help sooth any upset stomach. Do not over feed your animal while traveling, and never be tempted to feed them fast foods along the way. Letting them eat their at-home traditional food, you are less likely a problem involving stomach issues.
Be Attentive – Never leave any pet unattended and alone, in a parked vehicle. The extreme changes in climate can be fatally dangerous to your pet. Even on mildly warm days, the inside temperature of the vehicle can rise easily to well over 120° within a few minutes. Even with the windows partially down, the dog or cat can become quite ill from exposure.
A Pet Friendly Alternative – If it appears that taking your pet along on a vacation is just too challenging, consider hiring a pet sitter. With the right qualifications, a sitter can easily manage your dog or cat while you are away on vacation. They will provide nurturing care, uninterrupted routine and familiar surroundings.
At Queen City Pet Sitting, we make it our business to provide quality care for pets and peace of mind for their people. To learn more about how a pet sitter can make your life—and your pet’s—better, contact us today at (704) 608-6733.
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