Yeah! Fluffy and Fido are going on vacation with you! I’m sure they are looking forward to splashing in new streams, taking in the sun in a new window-sill or simply being spoiled in a new place. Before you leave, there are some tips you should follow to keep your pet safe.

1. ID your pet: Place an ID tag and/or update your pet’s microchip information with the address and phone number of where you will be staying. Rather than buying a new pet ID tag you can write the updated information on a small piece of paper and then tape it over the existing tags (be sure to place tape all around it so it is waterproof). The fastest way to get a pet back if it becomes lost is to have it wear an ID tag and be microchipped. It is also always good to carry a small picture of your pet with you at all times.

2. Know where the closest 24-hour veterinary emergency clinic is! Be sure to have their phone number handy and have pre-printed directions. Bring all your pet’s medical records including their vaccination record.

3. Take a pet first aid class. Pack a small pet first aid kit to take on your trip. Contact local shelters or veterinary clinics to see if they offer or know of any classes in your area.

4. Bring extra of all your pet’s supplies. This includes extra food, medication, leash, blanket, litter, and bowl. Just like a human pharmacy, unless you have a written prescription, you cannot get your pet’s prescription filled at another veterinary clinic.

5. Be sure traveling with your pet is appropriate. Having a veterinarian check your pet before any long trip is the safest thing to do. Make sure it is in your pet’s best interest to vacation with you.

6. Make sure the facility you will be staying at allows pets, and find out what their rules and regulations are. This includes if you are staying with friends and family. Many hotels do not allow pets loose in the room unattended, so you may need to bring a kennel for your pet. (more…)

A perfect world would be one that was 100% pet friendly. We would be allowed to have our dogs sit next to us on airplanes and our cats could come on cruises with us. Unfortunately, it is not a completely pet friendly world and there are times when we must leave them. The question then becomes “what is best for our pet when we are away?”

Home Care

Pets will experience less stress, obtain more exercise and generally receive more around-the-clock care than at a kennel facility. However, the pet sitter must be responsible to deal with any and all emergencies that may arise. Professional pet sitters should be well established and insured. If you elect to leave your pet in the care of someone either at your home or at their home, than you should do the following before going away to help keep them safe:

1) Leave your contact numbers, trip itinerary, a credit card, your pet’s medical record and the vaccine record in case of any emergencies. Most emergency medical care must be paid for up front and, unless you can be reached immediately, your pet sitter may be left making medical decisions for your pet. You should sign a letter that allows the pet sitter to make all medical decisions for your pet. This way your pet can receive medical care without delay. The pet sitter should understand your wishes for your pet in the event an emergency arises.

2) ID your pet: Place an ID tag and/or update your pet’s microchip information with the address and phone number of where your pet is staying. Rather than buying a new pet ID tag, you can write the updated information on a small piece of paper and then tape it over the existing tags (be sure to place tape all around it so it is waterproof). The fastest way to get a pet back if it becomes lost is to have it wear an ID tag and be microchipped. (more…)

The following post comes to us from guest blogger, Cat Sitter in the City. As a New York cat sitter, she writes a semi-daily blog about her experiences working with felines.

When I tell people I am a cat sitter, they always have questions.

What exactly do you do? That’s one of the queries, and people tend to ask it with a quizzical look on their faces.

I explain that most people hire me to make daily one-hour visits during which I feed the cat, clean the cat’s litter box, then play and cuddle with the cat, depending on what the cat wants to do, of course.

Do you really stay the full hour? That’s the question I get the most.

And, yes, I do stay the full hour. I even do sleepovers with some cats.

People are incredulous when I tell them this, and that’s because many people—even some cat owners—assume that cats are solitary creatures that are fine being left alone for days on end with a bowl of water and dry food while they are off on summer vacation sipping margaritas by the pool.

This couldn’t be further from the truth, and I’m not just saying this because I get paid to hang out with other people’s cats. I won’t bore you by citing studies, but do some research, and you’ll find more and more animal experts are declaring that domesticated cats are social—not solitary—animals with a strong need for companionship. As a cat sitter, I have seen first-hand how much felines crave company—oftentimes even more than food.

Take Fonzie. He won’t eat until he has had some lap time. Meanwhile, Pooper Katzenberger wants me to hold her before she chows down.

Other cats, like Juba and Lulu, do beg for food the second I walk in the door, but after they’ve had their fill, they want to be pet and held, and sometimes they get desperate about it.

Even shy and seemingly anti-social cats want some form of closeness. Case in point: Peeper, who, sadly, passed away a few years ago, didn’t want me to pet him when I visited, and he kept his distance. But when I sat on the couch, he sat nearby on the coffee table, and I talked to him, and during our sleepovers, I woke up every night to find him right next to me with his head on the pillow. That said a lot to me.

So, if you are going away even just for a few days this summer, hire a cat sitter to give your cat the companionship he or she needs. And if you can’t afford a cat sitter, ask a friend (make sure it is a friend who loves animals) to visit your cat and stay over a few nights if you are going to be gone for a week or two.

Your cat will appreciate the company and will be less likely to claw up your couch out of distress and loneliness.

To read more from this blogger, visit the Cat Sitter in the City blog.

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Count your dog in this summer when you make your travel plans! Pet friendly hotels, campgrounds and other summer vacation facilities recognize that “family vacation” just wouldn’t be the same without Fido!

Being prepared will ensure your summer trip is a fabulous dog vacation as well! Things to keep in mind:

1. What type of trip are you taking? If you plan on spending most of your time outdoors: on the beach, hiking in the woods, taking long leisurely bike rides and having dinner on the grill….your dog will have a great time. If you are planning on touring buildings (museums, etc), taking guided tours, visiting the spa, and dining out on the town….your dog may be bored to tears….or worse, destroy the hotel room. Even well-behaved dogs can exhibit unsavory behavior in strange places.

2. Inquire about local leash and dog laws. Can your dog be on the beach? In the woods? On or off leash? Is he allowed at outdoor cafes and restaurants?

3. Have you inquired about pet friendly hotels or facilities in your vacation area? Facilities run the gamut from being “no pets allowed” to “pet tolerant” to “pet friendly.” Pet tolerant facilities often require a deposit and there is usually no special treatment for your dog. Pet friendly hotels and facilities usually go out of their way—offering special treats at check-in, play programs, day care and sometimes even special spa treats and turndown service for your pet. Call ahead to get details and to reserve a space for your dog.

4. Is there a local doggy day care in the places you are going? This may be fun for your dog while you are out to dinner or getting that massage!

5. If you are flying, call the airline and reserve a space for your dog. There is a fee and there are a limited number of pets on each flight. Depending on your pet’s size, they may be unable to fly in the cabin and this will require further information from the airline.

6. Visit your veterinarian. Make sure your dog is current on his vaccinations, as well as flea, tick, parasite and heartworm prevention. Make sure your dog has been micro-chipped. This will enable identification if he ever gets lost. Get a health certificate and all of his vaccination tags. If your pet has a medical condition, take a copy of pertinent medical records in the event of an emergency. If possible, identify a veterinarian in the area where you will be vacationing.

Checklist of pet travel gear:

1. Food and water bowls
2. Portable (collapsible) bowls for day excursions
3. Food in airtight containers—it is important to keep your dog’s diet the same while on vacation to prevent stomach upset
4. Poop scooper and bags—to properly clean up after your dog
5. Extra collar and leash—in case the original gets wet, torn or lost
6. Identification tags—make sure there is a cell phone number on the tags in the event your dog gets lost
7. Medication—bring any prescription or non-prescription medication your dog is taking
8. Pet First Aid Kit—You can ask your veterinarian what to include for your particular pet. Good things to include are benadryl (diphenhydramine), triple antibiotic ointment, general antiseptic (nolvasan or betadine), bandage material (sterile gauze and a wrapping material), tweezers (for tick removal from dogs or people if needed!), emergency veterinary contact information
9. Dog bed or something comfy to sleep on
10. Dog life jacket (if you are taking any aquatic excursions)

Traveling with pets can be fun and enjoyable for all! Happy Trails!

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