While we can’t always bring our pets on every work trip or every week long excursion, it’s always great when we can. And lets face it, it’d be nice to at least have the option of bringing our pets along. Or, at the very least, to be able to more easily weigh our choices.
The problem is we don’t always know where to find those “pet friendly” places to stay. And even when the journey is underway, when the kibble is all packed & the canine carry crate is full, we still don’t always know all the tricks of the pet travel trade to make our adventures go as seamlessly as we might want. Bottom line, traveling w/your pet can be difficult. It isn’t nearly as simple as it should be.
Thankfully, there are resources out there. Many, actually. And other pet parents have blazed these trails before us.
So this week, with help from Ann Staub & Terry Frum, we’re sharing a few helpful pet travel tips that we hope will come in handy the next time you load up the minivan or print your boarding passes. Special thanks to both Ann & Terry for taking the time to share their insights with us.
Pawsitively Pets – mypawsitivelypets.com
Most dog owners enjoy time spent together during walks. One popular dog walk destination is the park. Taking a trip to the park sounds simple enough. Just leash up and head off, right? If you want to be prepared and heighten your dog walking experience for yourself, your dog, and others, there are a few things you should bring along on your walk.
Are you prepared if “dooty calls” during your walk? It’s a dog owner’s responsibility to pick up after their dog. Dog poop is not fertilizer and is actually considered a pollutant that can make other dogs and humans sick. Be considerate of others and make sure you bring along some sort of disposable dog waste bags.
Dogs get thirsty just like people. Bring along some water along with a bowl. There are many kinds of travel bowls for doggies available. They are usually compact and easy to carry. It’s important for Fido to stay hydrated, especially during the summer. Plus, disease can spread from dog to dog with community dog water fountains.
And of course, be sure to bring treats! Treats are a great way to reward and reinforce your dog’s good behavior while on a walk. Treats are fun too! If you bring enough along, maybe you can share with other dogs in the park and make some new doggy friends.
Following these simple tips when walking your dog at the park will ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and safe walk. Remember to be respectful of other dog owners and park-goers and most of all – have fun!
Author Bio: Ann Staub is a former Veterinary Technician and pet mom to a senior Pit Bull, a cat, a pet rat, and two goldfish. She has worked with animals of all kinds including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Now, she spends her time networking with other animal lovers and sharing her knowledge of pets on her blog – Pawsitively Pets. You can follow Pawsitively Pets on Facebook and Twitter for more great advice and tips on pets from Ann.
Brian’s Home – brianshomeblog.com
I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, but more and more families are opting to travel with their furry family members. The lodging industry seems to be slowly but consistently embracing the “pet friendly” market. Most major travel sites now include an option to search for “pet friendly” along with other search criteria. There are also websites, such as PetsWelcome.com and BringFido.com that are dedicated to helping travelers easily identify destinations that welcome you and your pet.
Perhaps you are thinking about taking your pet with you on your next vacation, or maybe you already travel frequently with your pet. The seasoned travel veteran will tell you that a little thought and preparation can help make the trip more enjoyable for all of you. When traveling with your pet, remember, you will need to take their necessities just as you take your own. Your pet, whether feline or canine, will need safety, food, water, and, in the case of cats, some sort of litter box arrangements. The marketplace is filled with accessories to make traveling with your pet so much easier and I’d like to share a few of my personal favorites.
The Doggie Dorm, available in multiple sizes, is an ideal place of security for medium to smaller pets. If you’re staying in a hotel you will want your pet to be safe and secure when housekeeping is attending to your room. Contrary to what the name implies, cats love this product too. Plus, it folds flat and is so easy to take along and set up is a breeze.
A very nice option for packing food, treats and medicines are the Lock & Lock Storage Containers available through the online shopping network QVC. We’ve tried quite a variety of containers and these really seem to hold the seal better than others we’ve tried.
When it comes to feeding time, some folks like to pack their pet’s favorite bowls. However, if space is an option for you, something like the Pop Up Travel Bowl fills the bill quite nicely.
Now, let’s not forget the litter box needs for cats. While dogs will be most happy to go for a walk and attend to their business, that simply isn’t an option for most cats. The Nature’s Miracle Disposable Litter Box gets the job done, so to speak, and you simply bag it up and place it in the trash when you’re ready to leave.
Finally, let me tell two things you must always take with you. Although these items are not accessories, they are necessities, and those are current photographs and vet records. Technology helps us in both regards. I always have the most recent photographs on my smart phone as well as on an online backup service. Heaven forbid that your pet gets lost while you’re traveling, but having current photos of your pet could make the difference in those situations. You should always have access to your pet’s vet records, especially when you are traveling. We all know that pets get sick when pets get sick. I always scan my pets vet records and carry them with me on a small USB drive so we can be prepared for any medical emergency we may encounter along the way.
Author Bio: Terry Frum is an animal rescue advocate and popular pet blogger from South Carolina, USA. Terry’s rescue blog ForeverHomeWanted.com highlights animals in search of homes and features news stories of motivational interest to those involved in animal rescue. Terry’s cat blog,Brian’s Home, features the activities of his seven rescue cats through the voice of his male tabby cat Brian. Brian, as the main Spokescat, has a worldwide presence and is active on all of the major social networks.
