Travel Tips by Kay Cox - Pet Counselor

Spring Pet Tips!!!

Hi, I'm Kay, The Pet Counselor.

Kay Cox - Animal Psychologist - Pet Talent Agent

Spring brings new challenges to Travel. Remember your furry and feathered animal companions whether your pets are left home or you take them on the road - there are some things we need to take into account.

Happy Trails and Your Pet

To take your pets or not to take your pets! That is the big question. For the most part, pets like people are happiest and most comfortable in familiar surroundings. Pets love their humans and can adapt to almost anything, but their den of security, the "safe place" is extremely important to their well- being. Careful thought and pre-planning really helps when planning a trip involving pets.

Spring Weather can be deadly! Pollen and weeds can cause allergies for pets as well as people. The fox-tail grass can cause severe problems in pets ears or paws. Please check your pets often and protect them.

Home is Where the Heart Is

Here are some Spring Hints to keep your pets safe and comfortable during this season of change. We must protect our pets from the dangers of "The Spring Crazies". Hormones and smells, new exciting adventures and the season can cause your pet to lose his or her mind during Spring. Even spayed or neutered pets have been known to get the Spring Crazies. Make sure gates are locked and fences are in good repair. Make sure your pets are in a safe place. If you are planning a trip and they are staying home, protect our little friends, take a moment to let them know you are going to leave and let them know when you will return.

• Be certain your pet has plenty of cool (not freezing), clean water in a spill proof container.
  Use a container that will insulate the water somewhat. Make sure the container is large enough to keep your pets with a safe water supply.



• Set up a cave-haven for your pets. A T-shirt and overhead protection, calming music or happy talk shows help keep pets entertained during your absence. Outdoor play should be monitored to be sure your pets don't get into trouble. Exercise is good for your pet to relieve the frustration of being cooped up while you are away, but care must be taken that your pet doesn't over-do.



• Give your pets access to an indoor area during the coolest and warmest part of the day. If this is impossible, they MUST have a safe, dry, draft-free cave or hut to protect themselves in. Think how you would feel if you had to spend a night in their sleeping area.



• Leave your "Post-Card T-Shirt Notes" when you go on vacation. To make these notes, wear an old t-shirt, when you are in a happy mood, for a couple of hours, take it off and seal it in a plastic bag. Do this for every 4 - 5 days you will be gone. Your pet sitter can present these T-Shirt notes to your pets and the fresh scent of "happy you" will relieve stress and let your animal family know you haven't abandoned them. This is much better that a phone call or a video of you because your pet may fear the phone or TV has somehow trapped you inside. This could cause destruction of phones and TV's!



• Walk your pets in the nicest part of the day. Never walk your pet when it is very cold or very hot. Take off your shoes and feel the area you are expecting your pet to walk on. Is it comfortable? Walk bare-foot and you can experience the feelings you are subjecting your pet to. Make it comfortable for both of you.



• Brush your pets to keep them free from mats and excess hair. Don't shave your pet right before traveling, they are used to the fur for protection. Bare skin can easily get frostbite and sunburn even in the Spring. Their hair protects them from new plants, it acts as a shield. Protect your pets from Spring weather.

On the Road Travel Tips with Pets!

• Have your pets checked and make sure their shots are up to date by your veterinarian at least a week or 10 days before departure. Check for any health dangers in areas you will be traveling through. An outbreak of Parvo, Rabies or Distemper might mean changing travel routes.
• Will your pets be comfortable traveling? A sick pet, some older pets with age problems or pets who get motion sickness will not have a good time on the road. If they don't travel well, leave them at home. If they love traveling, make sure they will be accepted and treated well by others while you are on the road. You want the vacation to be a pleasant experience for your pets as well as for you. Check travel accomodations, do they allow pets?
• Have your pet easily identified, tattooed, an ID implanted and and a large tag giving an immediate person to contact in case your pet gets lost. Take a recent photo and copy of up to date shot records along to show people as well.
• Check all equipment and make sure it is in good condition. Leashes and collars must not break when you are in strange surroundings.
• Travel adjust your pets. Get them used to their crate in the moving car, their collar and leash, relieving themselves on schedule and also on command.
• Take your own pets food and water on the road with you. Feed pets lightly unless you will be doing a lot of physical activity. Feed them at the end of the travel day so they will have time to digest their food before traveling again. Take ice along as this is a neat and pleasant way to provide water for pets in motion. It also helps calm the stomach and relieve motion sickness.

Travel First Aid Kit for Pets:

• Take your pets prescribed medicines along, separate from any prescriptions you have for yourself.
• 1st Aid Book for Pets and your Veterinarians phone number.
• 3% hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds.
• Antibacterial ointment for putting on wounds.
• 1st Aid Book for Pets and your Veterinarians phone number.
• Pepto Bismol, check with your veterinarian as to how much to give.
• Cut Heal - Found at feed stores for cuts, wounds.Great stuff.
• Bag Balm - Topical protection and healing salve.
• Sun Screen - for pets ears and noses.
• Tweezers.
• Cotton.
• Grooming tools.
• Licence and recent photo of pet.
• Clean up materials.
• Pet blanket.
• Pet coat or sweater.
• Pet snow-boots if needed.
• Pet toys.

Kay Cox

Kay@thepetcounselor.com

Thank you for dropping by. Please come again! The Pet Counselor

THE BOTTOM LINE! LAST UPDATE March 18, 2008