Travelling With Your Pet

By Ian White

You've decided to take your pet along on vacation. It will be more fun, and you won't have to worry about leaving a member of your family behind in an unfamiliar kennel. With some extra planning and forethought, you can have a safe and enjoyable trip with your pet.

Taking a Road Trip

If you're driving with your pet, you'll need to find a comfortable and safe way for your pet to travel. You can place your pet in a carrier and secure it in the car. Alternatively, you can purchase a seatbelt-like harness for your pet that will allow him to be out of the carrier but still safely restrained. It isn't safe to allow your pet to roam freely in the car. He can be seriously hurt in the event of even a minor accident, and he is much more likely to escape and become lost when you make stops.

Don't leave your pet alone in the car, especially in hot weather. The heat can quickly become life-threatening. If your pet becomes carsick easily, you may want to ask your veterinarian for motion-sickness medicine before the trip.

Carry some of your pet's food along with you, and feed your pet only small amounts of food at a time. If your trip is short, you may want to have your pet wait and eat when you arrive to avoid carsickness. You should also carry some of your pet's water along, or purchase bottled water. Local tap water may contain different minerals or sulphur, which might upset your pet's stomach.

Flying with your pet

Many pet owners do not like to fly with their pets because it can be traumatic for them, but sometimes it's unavoidable. Unless your pet is very small, he will fly as cargo and not in the cabin with you. Check with your airline to determine what type of carrier is acceptable and what rules apply to flying with a pet. Also ask what safety precautions are in place, what conditions the pet will fly in, etc. Ask your veterinarian if your pet is well enough to fly or if there are any special precautions you should take.

International Travel

Taking your pet out of the country requires careful planning. Check the regulations for the country you are traveling to and verify that your pet has the required vaccinations. In some cases, you'll need to have the vaccines administred weeks before your departure date.

Most countries will require a Rabies Vaccination Certificate and a Health Certificate. Your veterinarian can help you obtain both of these. The country you are traveling to may require that you complete paperwork gaining permission to bring your pet into the country. Also, some countries have quarantine regulations that may require your pet to remain in a kennel for up to several months.

Pet Friendly Hotels

A quick search on the Internet can help you find hotels that are receptive to pets. Many travel sites also allow you to specify only pet-frienly accommodations. Check with the hotel to find their specific rules regarding staying with a pet.

If your pet requires walks, ask for a room that opens on the outside. This will be more convenient for those late night trips outdoors.

Many alternative lodging sites, such as resorts, cabins and bed and breakfasts are also open to receiving pets. Check ahead of time for availability where you're traveling. Since many of these vacation spots offer outdoor activities, they can be great options for pet owners.

What Will your Pet do All day?

You know how you'll travel, and you've found a hotel that will welcome your pet, so now what? What will your pet do all day when you're out having fun?

An outdoor vacation is an ideal choice if you're traveling with pets. Consider renting an RV and taking a camping vacation. Many RV rental agencies allow pets with an extra deposit. A trip to the beach is another good choice for pet owners. However, keep in mind that sand can be irritating to some pets, especially dogs with deep skin folds. Some animals are bothered by long sun exposure as well.

If you're spending a lot of time outdoors, keep plenty of cold water on hand and watch your pet for signs of heat exhaustion.

Some restaurants now provide outdoor seating that is also pet friendly. Check ahead of time if any are available near where you are staying. If you'd like to spend mealtime with your pet and no pet-friendly restaurants are close by, you might consider takeout or even picnicing outdoors.

What if you're taking a more traditional vacation? Many tourist attractions will not welcome your pet, and it isn't a good idea to leave your pet alone in a strange hotel room all day. You may be able to place your pet in his carrier for shorter excursions, but for all day trips, consider researching pet daycare centers or kennels available in the area. You can leave your pet for a few hours in a safe environment but still enjoy his company on your trip.

What to Take Along

Bring your pet's food along or plan to buy it as needed. This is not a good time to change your pet's diet, and you should certainly avoid giving your pet any table scraps. Traveling can be stressful regardless of how careful you are, and you don't need the added complication of stomach upset for your pet.

Don't give your dog the local water, especially if you're traveling internationally. It's safer to give your pet only bottled water to avoid possible stomach upset.

Bring along any medicines your pet takes, including vitamins, flea medicines, heart worm prescriptions, etc. You should also bring some basic first-aid supplies in case of injury. Ask your veterinarian what should be included in your pet's first aid kit. These might include medicines for stomach upset and a mild tranquilizer in case your pet becomes extremely agitated. You can purchase pre-stocked pet first aid kits at many pet supply stores.

To make your pet more comfortable, bring along a few items from home. Bring some of your pet's bedding and a few of his favorite toys. Bring only treats your pet has eaten in the past with no stomach upset. Again, this isn't the time to try any new foods. The carrier you bring should be large enough for your pet to remain comfortably inside for a few hours. He should be able to stand, lie down and turn around easily within it. Also, be sure your pet has fresh water available within the carrier.

A Pre-Trip Checklist

Make an appointment with your veterinarian. Have your pet examined and any vaccinations done that are needed. Ask if your pet is healthy enough to travel, and ask for advice concerning any of your pet's health conditions. Remember that if you are traveling outside the country, you may need to plan weeks in advance.

Make sure your pet has current identification attached to his collar, and that it fits well and isn't likely to slip off. You might want to consider having an identification chip implanted before your trip, but you'll need to discuss with your veterinarian how soon your pet can travel after the procedure.

Gather phone numbers for veterinarians, pet emergency care facilities, kennels, etc. before you leave for each place where you'll be staying. If an accident or illness does occur, you'll be grateful that you don't have to take the time to find someone to care for your pet.

Make a packing list for your pet based on his needs and what your veterinarian recommends. Double-check it as you pack his things. Take your veterinarian's phone number along with you in case you need to call and ask a last minute question or have your pet's records sent to another clinic.

Take time to get your pet used to his carrier, especially if it's new. If you're driving, take your pet in the car for practice trips before the big day so it won't be so traumatic. Another benefit to this approach is that you'll learn if your pet become motion sick easily.

If you're traveling with your cat, bring a litterbox and litter along with you. It's easier to purchase cheap plastic litterboxes and throw them away rather than try to clean and transport them. If traveling with a dog, be sure to bring baggies to clean up after your pet's walks.

Embarrassing and Alarming Moments

Pets get stressed when traveling, so accidents can and will happen. Bring some disposable wipes and plastic baggies to clean up after your pet. Another good idea is bringing a small bottle of enzyme based cleaner. If your pet selects the hotel carpet as the perfect spot for his accident, this can remove the odor and stain before it has a change to set.

Never open your pet's carrier unless you're in an enclosed room. Pets can move much more quickly than you can, and nothing will ruin your vacation faster than losing your traveling companion.

Traveling with your pet can be challenging, but with some planning ahead, it can also be a fun and rewarding experience. Trying a short weekend trip before a longer vacation can also help your pet acclimate to travel, and you will learn how well your pet travels.

Author Ian White is founder of pet-sitters.biz Pet Sitting Directory

Find a Pet Sitter, Find Pet Sitting Clients.

Pet-Sitters.biz can help both ways! Pet sitters list their business and can be found easily when pet owners search for your services.

Pet owners list pet-sitting requirements and find those who meet their specific needs. Fast, easy membership Dog walkers, pet day cares also welcome!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_White

Grab The Bookmarketer For Your Site

Different Types Of Pets

Pets can be a rewarding and entertaining media to any household, and owning pets can have many benefits for all humans. Household pets are common in America, Europe, and Asia. Considering one main thing is that pets can become an important part of any shelter, especially like dogs and cats that will be a part of your family for years. A child can often gain care and a sense of responsibility looking after an animal, and can also develop a confidence and respectful attitude towards them. There's much to learn and gain from owning a pet, but before buying one you have much to consider too. Pets are part of many families' lives. A child, who learns to care for pets, and treat it gently and patiently, may get invaluable training in learning to treat people the same way.

Let us have an overview about the pets being owned by the humans as peaceful and joyful companions. Following discussed are the most chosen ones as a pet.

Birds
Birds are one of the most beautiful, colourful, and often noisy companions to a home. There are many different kinds of bird, some of which can be kept inside in a cage, others in an outdoor aviary. Some are chosen on the basis of their colours and some with their voices. Cost of buying and keeping a bird will vary depending on the species, and the age. Popular breeds kept as pets include canaries, budgies, and cockatiels. Fulfilling their needs is very important when you take on a chosen bird. Ignoring their care may cause to develop habit of plucking their feathers, likely to bite/nip. Special day to day care about their illness must be done regularly.

Dogs
Dogs make terrific companions. They are great protectors and seem to sense when a master is feeling low, and upset. They will eagerly lie faithfully at your feet and stick nose into your hand or lick your face. They are great with your kids and honest with your stuffs. Thing is that their deeds depends upon how they got trained. Always check the breed before choosing a dog. Their night-time barks scare away burglars. Walk with your dog in a park or any public place and see what happens if another person or animal threatens you, even playfully.

Cats
Cats are soft to touch, fun to play companions. Enjoy playing and affection when the mood takes them. They are relatively easy to look after and provide for with basic requirements as bed, litter tray and food & water. A good training is beneficial for them to get relief from their habits of scratching and tearing. These are the much entertaining material for household. They are clean creatures so that you need not have to look them as more as compared to other pets. But care must be given towards them. They do make the best pets for older children. A variety of breeds found in the world for cats with depending on their colours and furs.

Ferrets
Ferrets have been domesticated from the time of the Pharaohs in Egypt and came to their height of popularity during the Victorian Age in England. Hunting rabbits is made easier with using ferrets as they chase rabbits out of their holes into waiting nets. They are also kept as working pets to hunt mice and rats mostly in United States. More than seven million ferrets are found in domestic households in the United States. They are more independent than dogs, more playful than kittens and remain playful all their lives. By personality they are quiet animals and do not make a lot of noise. Their life is eight to eleven years. Health care should be taken properly at time.

Mice
House mice are nocturnal and feed on seeds, plants, and insects. The female can give birth to 4-7 young every 30 days, but due to the high level of predators, most of the young do not survive for more than a few months. Life expectancy of mice is 1.5-3 years. Domesticated mice are descendants of the house mouse. They are originated in Asia but now are found all over the world, particularly where people are present. The earliest domesticated mice were kept in the royal palaces of Japan and China.

Fish
Fish are a kind of pets that do not require much care, and a small or big aquarium can add to the decor of a room. Peoples like wonderful thing about fish are their large assortment of shapes, sizes and colours. They are welcome anywhere you live, and becomes a part of attraction for all peoples. Statistics show that collecting fish is the second largest hobby in the world. They keep the environment clean and need relatively a small space as compared to other pets.

Please browse through our site for more detail on different animals, and how they would become good companions as pets for your children.
Read More Here PET HEALTH

OTC Vet meds, the only pet medication online pharmacy which offers best discount with cheapest prices and free shipping with no compromise in quality.

Visit Us for More Information about PET MEDS

Grab The Bookmarketer For Your Site


Grab The Bookmarketer For Your Site

Choice of pet reveals personality

There may never be a resolution in the age-old dog versus cat debate, but a dating website says your choice reveals some things about you.

In a survey of singles, Lavalife found nearly half of respondents (47%) would ditch a lover who didn't get along with their pet. Another survey found that 10% would consider sharing custody of a pet in the event of a breakup, and more than 60% of single men polled wouldn't kick Fido out of the bedroom even when getting intimate with a lover.

"We know that singles take their relationships with their pets just as seriously as they do with their lovers," explains spokeswoman Kim Hughes. "Now we are digging deeper to find out what our pets say about our personalities."

When assessing potential pet-loving paramours, Lavalife suggests looking at certain character traits.

People who purchase pets from a pet store tend to be more impulsive, while people who buy from a breeder are more analytical. Those who rescue pets from shelters are known to be comfortable with risk and especially compassionate.

Owners of large dogs, which typically need a lot of exercise, tend to be more active, outgoing and assertive. Owners of small dogs tend to be more detail-oriented and some may even be neat freaks.

Article from The Ottawa Sun

Picture taken from talkphotography.co.uk


Grab The Bookmarketer For Your Site