Happy Holidays with Pets – a 10 step travel check

Travel to a new area, where you don’t know your way around, in hot weather; throw in the chaos of a family holiday and unpredictable tides. And take your pet with you. What could possibly go wrong?

Here’s our 10 step travel check to ensure everyone stays stress-free when holidaying with their pet.

  1. What’s fun for families could be scary for their pet with 23%* likely to experience fear in relation to car travel. Think about giving YuCALM Dog calming supplement to maintain normal happy behaviour, especially for pets that travel badly or that may be left alone in unfamiliar surroundings.
  2. The parasite risk can vary across the country. For instance, pets venturing into tick hot spots would benefit from appropriate protection. Ensure that a risk assessment is performed and a recommendation given to fit the situation.
  3. Recommend a good first aid kit for pets or make up your own!
  4. Ensure owners have enough of their pet’s medication to cover the period when they are away. Make sure vaccines are up to date and consider whether any additional protection might be required.
  5. Be prepared to provide advice about travelling – window blinds and guards, water, dog bowls, a safe restraint and poo bags are essentials.
  6. Make sure your clients know how to find a vet in the holiday area in an emergency. If you are part of a large group you might even want to let them know about the nearest practice to their holiday location.
  7. For travel overseas allow plenty of time for PETS checks.
  8. Take along familiar items such as the dog’s usual bed and toys.
  9. Make sure clients know how to protect their dogs from heatstroke and understand the particular risks for brachycephalics.
  10. Remind clients to take plenty of the dog’s familiar food – GI problems are often triggered by dietary change. Left over Cornish pasties or ‘treating’ them to some fish and chips might have unintended consequences.

 

*Mills, D. S. & Mills, C. B. (2003). A survey of the behaviour of UK household dogs. Proceedings of the 4th International Veterinary Behaviour Meeting, Proceedings Number 352, August 18-20, 203. Eds K Seksel, G. Perry, D. Mills, D. Frank, E. Lindell, P. McGreevy, P. Pageat. Sydney, University of Sydney Post-Graduate Foundation in Veterinary Science, pp 93-98.