Planning your summer holiday? We love our pets, they are like family to us, in fact there is no better gift you can give me than one relating to my cats! If you are like me and are keen on gifts for dog lovers or cat lovers then there are so many amazing pet related gifts out there to try. We love quirky portrait style pictures.
Don’t forget arrangements for your cats and dogs when you are on holiday! Here are a few easy things you can do to ensure that your pets stay healthy, stress-free and happy — so that everyone enjoys the holiday!
1. Always Do Your Research
You probably already ensured booking at a pet-friendly hotel. But don’t forget other essentials: Do you have adequate or enough food and medication for the whole duration of your holiday? Are there pet-sitting services in the hotel that you can avail yourself of so that you can go and enjoy yourself? Proper preparation is key to getting the most out of your holiday.
2. Know the Risks to Expect
Assuming your pet can fall ill in a foreign place, be sure that you’ve got pet insurance covered. See if your pet health insurance plan includes overseas trips. When researching (see point number 1), it’s important to take note of any local diseases you should be aware of. Make sure you’ve packed pet repellent for sand flies, for example. And if you can’t fly with the parasite control sprays, pick some up at a local grocery as soon as you land.
3. Get Extra Shots and Medication
Does your pet need any type of medication or extra shots before traveling? You may be unsure about this, so it’s best to speak with your vet before making travel plans. Having a good relationship with your vet is essential to getting the best, most personalized advice for your pet.
4. Consider a Home Environment for Your Pet
If you would rather that your pet stays in a more familiar environment when you are gone, look for a home-based pet care service. This will help your pet to be more relaxed and happy if they are the type to get stressed easily.
In case you don’t have family or a personal friend to look after your pet, check out some pet websites that offer pet-sitting or pet-minding from professional pet-sitters and pet-lovers. These hosts all enjoy the company of pets and will be happy to look after yours so that you can enjoy your holiday.
5. Be Wary of Strangers in Foreign Places
If you traveling on holiday in a foreign country, don’t let strangers feed your pets, even if they are friendly children who look like they are just having fun. Your pet may have a sensitive stomach due to unfamiliarity with the food they can eat and environment. Stay on the safe side and make sure your pet is only eating the food that you are personally giving them.
6. Have a Working Plan for Your Pet’s Healthcare
Make sure prior to leaving that you book an appointment with your vet to make sure all your pets’ preventatives are up to date and on hand. It’s important to maintain good prevention with Heartworm and Flea and Tick meds such as Heartgard or Comfortis.
Also, find out the location and phone numbers of a 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic in the area you are traveling to. There are a few numbers you should keep on hand in case of emergencies, whenever you travel. These include a family member who can notify others in case you or your pet has had a health emergency and your veterinarian’s clinic phone number.
Listed below are some helpful resources referenced in the article that can provide some guidance for those looking for helpful information on pet supplies & medication:
http://www.allivet.com/p-2573-comfortis-chewable-tablets-for-dogs-and-cats.aspx