Hi everyone,
Our friends over at fetch have put together some useful and tips for travelling with your pets.
At fetch.co.uk we know that you treat your pets as part of the family. For many of us a holiday just wouldn’t be complete without our pets so if you’re planning on a summer break here in the UK, there is no reason why your pets can’t join in the fun too! Taking an animal on long car journeys can be stressful so we have provided top tips on how you can travel safely together.
Fetch’s resident vet Angela Rodger has put together a list of things to consider when taking your pet on holiday:
1. Prepare your kennel
Ensure that the crate you purchased when your pet was tiny is still roomy enough for them. Can they stand up without hitting their head on the top of it? And do they have enough room to move around? You should always run these checks before attempting to travel with your pet.
In the vast majority of cases your pet will travel in the back of your car, not in the front with you. Fetch’s Petmate Vari Kennel (RRP: £19.99 – £21.99) assembles in minutes, has vents on the back and side walls to keep your pets cool whilst travelling and an easy open squeeze latch door.
2. Pack food and water
Just like us, our pets get dehydrated when they are travelling. A handy tip: freeze water before you leave home to ensure your four-legged friend has water for your journey. Try Fetch’s Animal Instinct Travel Water Bottle (RRP: £2.29 – £2.99) to keep your pet fully hydrated on any extended travel periods or particularly long walks.
3. Seat belts and car safety
If you’re driving, it’s worth remembering that seat belts are not just for us humans. Pets also require safety belts which are similar to a harness that fits around your pet’s body, with a clip that goes into the car seat belt socket, ensuring your pet is kept safe at all times. Or if your cat travels in their cage ensure that this can be securely strapped in for maximum safety
Possibly better to make sure your cat is in the carrier first too! 😉
4. Keeping your pet calm during travel
Make sure you bring your cat’s blanket or their favourite stuffed animal, toy – any item which is familiar to your cat to help comfort and relax him. For a little extra help keeping particularly anxious pets calm, try Zylkene Caps 450mg 20 per pack (RRP:£25.72). Useful to help pets cope when facing unusual situations or a change from their normal environment. Starting several days before you are due to travel, open the capsule and mix the powder with food or their favourite treat. (PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS AT ALL TIME)
5. Prepare for the unexpected
Flexibility and patience are virtues that every traveller should possess. The same holds especially true when travelling with pets. Whether your car is stuck in traffic, your pet gets sick mid-journey, or your cat decides he can’t wait for the kitty litter – travelling with pets can be hard work.
In case of any emergencies The Options Hi Travel First Aid Kit (RRP: £11.89) is a must-have for animals on the move. The kit helps provide aid and comfort to an injured or sick pet.
6. Protect your pet – vaccinate before boarding
Cattery facilities place cats in close proximity, increasing the risk of passing on infections. This makes vaccinations an essential part of preparing your cat for a cattery. Vaccinations help protect your pet by stimulating their body to produce antibodies to specific often contagious and even lethal diseases. If your pet should later come into contact with a disease they are vaccinated against the antibodies will protect them.
Vaccinations may be given over a two to three week course and immunity may take days or weeks to develop afterwards. You should consult the boarding facility and your vet in advance to find out the requirements and timescales involved for vaccinations.
Angela Rodger, resident vet at fetch.co.uk commented:
‘Travelling can often be highly stressful for both owners and their pets. With thoughtful preparation, you can ensure a safe and comfortable trip for everyone. Before travelling, it’s important to ensure your pet is well hydrated, take along food and water if it’s a long journey and plan in some toilet stops along the way!’
2. Pack food and water
Thanks for reading their tips and hope to see you here again soon.
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Thanks,
Marc
Two of my colleagues have cats who are so-called “travelling cats”. One is taken to a weekend house every weekend, the other one spends her summers in the country. it seems to work fine. My colleagues say that the cats have two ranges instead of one. But the places the cats are taken to are always the same. 🙂
Interesting. You should get them to write a post for us haha
Don’t do this. In the 90’s I was driving cross country USA with my cat and stopped in Kansas at a highway rest stop in the summer. Did not want to leave cat in hot car so I tied his leash to the rear bumper. Does Chevy Chase’s film “Vacation” come to mind? No I did not drive away. He slipped his lead and was wandering around the parking lot. I scooped him up and away we went. I did successfully sneak him into various motels that did not take pets! There was no choice at the time. He survived the trip. So did I. Following Katzenworld now on Bloglovin. Works good!
O.O gosh that is quite some story. And yes unless a cat is used to travelling or it’s necessary I totally agree. Unfortunately sometimes it’s a necessary devil. Still better than flying with a cat ;(
Reblogged this on Rattiesforeverworldpresscom.
Very good post and great tips. Thanks
Thanks 🙂
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My Labrador Maya was wearing a dog car harness when we were rear-ended. The car behind us hit us hard enough that the box I had in the back was thrown into the front. But because Maya was wearing a seat belt, she did not get thrown to the front or onto the floor. Something to think about when buying a dog car harness or crate, check for crash testing statistics. I don’t think the petmate brand is crashworthy. I’m not sure what crate brands you have available in the UK. But you do have crash tested car harnesses. There is the AllSafe brand from Germany. And there is a the crash tested Bergan brand that I know is available at the Happy Dogs shop in Cockermouth, Cumbria.
Yeah… the one we’ve got has got seat belt connectors. 🙂
this is a good post, good tips. By the way, Recently I went on a road trip 3500 kms and have shared a post on it, may like to check it out. http://wp.me/p8p4rd-a3 do give your feedback.
Oh wow that’s a long journey
It was but tireless.