When going on a trip for the holidays, pet owners must decide what to do with their beloved animals. Kennels will take in cats and dogs, but many pet owners are concerned about how well their pets will get along with other animals while they’re there. You could hire a pet sitter, but that can be rather expensive. Have you considered taking your pet along with you?
Animal lovers often assume that taking their pets on a car trip will be too much trouble. They could get carsick, or they could make a mess in the vehicle. And once they get to the destination, there’s always a chance that they could be confused or intimidated by their new surroundings and run away. But if you prepare your pet properly, he can have a happy and incident-free trip with you. Here are some tips:
* Don’t make a long car trip your pet’s first experience in a car. Start taking him on short trips several weeks before you plan to go out of town. This will get him accustomed to riding and alert you to any potential problems while you’re still close to home.
* Reward good behavior in the car. Keep some treats handy when going on those short car trips, and if your pet behaves well, give him one. This will reinforce the good behavior, and he will repeat it.
* Keep your pets in carriers when traveling, and buckle them in. This will provide the best possible protection for your pet in the event of an accident. It will also prevent the carrier from striking and injuring you.
* Try to maintain your pet’s regular feeding schedule while traveling. Long car rides are stressful for animals, and hunger makes things that much worse.
* Stop and let your pet relieve himself regularly. If you don’t, there’s a good chance that he will do it in the car. Even pets that never do their business in the house could slip up during a long car ride.
* Make certain that you bring a leash along. This will be necessary when stopping for bathroom breaks and walks, as well as when you get to your destination. If you keep your pet on a leash when outdoors, there is very little chance of him running away or being stolen.
* Put a collar on your pet with a tag that includes your phone number, just in case he does get lost. This is good practice at all times, but it’s especially important when traveling.
If you don’t like the idea of leaving your pet with someone else, take him with you. With a little preparation, most pets travel well. And wouldn’t you prefer to have your best friend with you while visiting your loved ones?