Pet Care Tips When Traveling

If you have pets or are considering getting a pet or two, and you travel a lot, there are some things you may want to know about traveling with pets. Sometimes you might take them with you, sometimes they won’t be able to go with you. What do you do then?

Pets, for most people, are like part of the family. That means that you want the best care for them even when you aren’t around. From boarding to hiring a pet sitter, all the way to traveling with your pets, here are some things to keep in mind.

Should Your Pet Go With You

Depending on your type of pet and type of vacation you are taking you might be able to take your pet along. A dog or cat, or even a bird, can even go on a flight with you, in their own pet compartment of course. You can book rooms at hotels that allow pets too. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants doing the “dogs allowed” thing now as well.

If you are driving you could take any pet at all if they can make the ride. Dogs commonly go on vacations with their owners, but you want to make sure you have a well-trained dog that isn’t going to go crazy on the car ride or get aggressive with people while you’re on vacation.

Leaving Your Pet Home

If you have a tank full of exotic fish you won’t be taking them on vacation with you and you won’t be taking them to a boarding kennel. Luckily this is the type of pet that can go a little while without you there. If you’re only going to be gone a few days you can get some feeder tablets that slowly dissolve in the tank over time.

If you’ll be gone longer than a few days, or you have some pets that need more attention, you could look into hiring a pet sitter. You could find someone that will stay at your home, come to your home numerous times a day or week, or they may keep your pet at their home. Check references to make sure the person is trustworthy. You could also be mindful and consider handing them your regular vet’s number. Your pets also need equal care and attention while you are away. With a number of people opting for veterinary jobs these days, hopefully, it isn’t a hassle to find the right one.

Boarding Your Pet

If you have a dog or cat, or a small pet like a rabbit or ferret, you could consider taking them to a boarding kennel while you’re away. This is a good option for both short and long vacations. However, there are some things you want to look into before picking a boarding kennel.

Take a tour of the grounds and see what the inside of the kennel looks like. You want to find a place that is clean and has space for your dog to run. You also want to make sure that cats and smaller pets are separate for the other animals, and that they require vaccinations for all boarders so your pet will come home without any illnesses. This lets you know your pet is in a safe place so you can enjoy your vacation!