Travel Tips by Kay Cox - Pet Counselor

Autumn Pet Tips!!!

Hi, I'm Kay Cox, The Pet Counselor.

Animal Psychologist

Autumn is often the time to Travel, but 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 Vacations 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.

Please protect your pets from the perils of Travel.

Home is Where the Heart Is

Here are some Hints to keep your pets safe and comfortable when you are traveling. As we travel from one area to another, temperatures change. Remember to protect your pets against severe changes in temperature. If it get cold, be sure to knock on the hood of your car and honk the horn before starting it on cold mornings. Cats and other critters may have taken shelter under the hood where the motor provides warmth. Protect our little friends, take a moment to let them know you are getting ready to leave and save their lives.

If you live in a colder climate, please realize that Cold, Dampness, Ice, Snow and some of the things used to keep these weather monsters at bay are dangerous to pets. Anti-freeze is delicious and deadly to pets. Salt can cause caustic burns on pets feet. And make sure your pet can get to water that is not too cold to drink. The safest place to house your pets is in your home with you. I realize that isn't always an option, but if at all possible, make your home your pet companion's home too.

• Be certain your pet has plenty of cool (not freezing), clean water in a spill proof, freeze proof container.
  Use a container that will insulate the water somewhat. Don't use metal or stainless steel dishes in the winter as the water can actually freeze very quickly in this type of container.



• Set up a comfortable cave-haven for your pets. Soft blankets 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 too hot or cold. Exercise is good for your pet to relieve the frustration of being cooped up as the temperature drops, but care must be taken that you or your pet doesn't over-do or get frostbite.



• Frostbite: Remove ice and snow from your pet's coat at once. Frostbitten skin may turn red, white or grey, it may become scaly or begin to peel. If you suspect frostbite, take your pet to a warm place immediately. Thaw out frostbitten areas slowly by applying warm, moist towels that you change frequently. Continue until the area feels warm to the touch. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for an evaluation.



• Give your pets access to an indoor area during the coldest part of the year. If this is impossible, they MUST have a warm, 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.



• If you are leaving them home, make sure you get to know and trust the Pet Sitter or Pet Hotel you are leaving them with. 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 in cold weather, they need that fur for protection. Bare skin can easily get frostbite and even sunburn in the winter. Protect your pets from the winter 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 with a reputable caretaker. 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.
• baking soda to mix with the hydrogen peroxide add a bit of dish soap, if there is a skunk encounter.
• Antibacterial ointment for putting on wounds.
• 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 - A pet safe 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.

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