Taking your pets on holiday can be wonderful. After all, they’re a part of the family and you want them to join in the fun. Especially as there are more and more holiday homes and hotels that welcome pets. We’ve put together this handy guide to help make sure you don’t forget any of those travel essentials and make the most of your trip.
Perfect for travel
If you are considering a holiday with your pet, you’ll need to be prepared for the journey as well as when you’re out and about. The first thing to consider is the safety and comfort of your pet during your journey. A pet carrier or crate provides an idealsolution as many dogs and cats can feel safer travelling this way. It is however worth purchasing one a few weeks inadvance of your journey so your pet can spend short periods of time in the carrier or crate, giving them a chance to become accustomed to their surroundings before you travel.
If you don’t like the thought of your dog being confined in a carrier, a car harness provides an alternative way to restrain your dog whilst travelling. You may also want to protect your car seats or boot from hair, dirt and odour with a cover. A cushion or rug will also ensure maximum comfort for your pet on a long journey.
Cats and dogs can find travelling stressful, particularly if they’re not used to it. You may want to try Feliway Spray for cats or DAP Spray for dogs. These help to alleviate the stress of travel by using appeasing pheromones which help to reassure your pet and make their journey more comfortable. Spray 8-10 pumps 15 minutes before travel for best effects and re-apply after 2-3 hours.
It is best to give your pet a light meal a couple of hours before you set off on a long journey and also make sure they have been to the toilet. It can be difficult for dogs to tell us when they need a toilet stop! Puppy pads are an ideal travel solution for dogs of all ages, these effective pads can line your pet carrier or the boot of your car soaking up any accidents and can then be instantly disposed of.
When you’re out and about it’s your responsibility to clean up after your pet. Poop bags are a convenient way of helping you clean up your dog’s mess quickly and easily. Clean your hands afterwards with our foam hand wash which requires no water and is proven to kill germs.
Don’t forget your pet will need protection from fleas and worms whilst your away. Treating and preventing fleas and worms is simple and painless. We have qualified team members in every store who can dispense leading licensed flea and worm treatments including Frontline®, Drontal®, Panacur®, Fiproline® and Plerion®. Ask a member of the store team for more information.
For peace of mind, it’s a good idea for your pet to have a personalised pet tag, so that if the worst should happen and you were separated, you can be assured that your pet is wearing a tag with your contact details. It is also a legal requirement for all dogs to wear a collar and identity tag in a public place (The Control of Dogs Order, 1992). We offer a personalised pet tag engraving service available in all of our stores.
We also recommend that your cat or dog is microchipped, in case they lose their pet tag. For more information about microchipping, please ask your vet.
Keeping your pet cool
It is essential to keep your pet cool during the journey. You can do this by ensuring your pet has access to fresh water at all times, so a water bottle and portable travel bowl are an ideal solution.
Your dog can enjoy the fresh air during the journey by using a car window vent. The vent also discourages your dog from leaning out of the window. This can be dangerous as passing vehicles could injure them, his eyes or ears could be damaged by particles in the air or he could try and jump out. A fan will be a welcome addition to your pet’s carrier or crate to help keep them cool along the way, as well as a car window shade to shield them from the sun.
If you plan to stop en route, you must never leave your pet unattended in a parked vehicle at any time, as temperatures inside your vehicle will be much higher than outside. It can take just minutes for a dog to die from heat stroke and a small animal will suffer even faster. A tie out stake and cable is a great way to allow your dog the freedom to roam whilst still being secured.
Don’t forget to feed the fish!
We have a range of holiday fish food and feeders to ensure your finned friends are kept fed over short holidays.
Did you know...
If you’re travelling abroad, pet carriers have to comply with IATA standards and you’ll also need a pet passport. For more information on the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) visit www.iata.org and always check with your airline before flying.
Travel shopping list
- Pet carrier and/or car harness
- Pet bed and blanket
- A few of your pet’s favourite toys
- Non-spill bowl for fresh water
- Pet food
- Towels to wipe muddy paws
- Poop bags
- Window vent
- Seat cover
- Collar and lead
- Spiral tie-out stake and cable
- Personalised pet tag
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
PETS AT HOME LTD - Company No. 01822577 - Registered in England and Wales