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Traveling With Rover
Should I Bring My Pet? While it's tempting to want to bring your pet with you, some animals aren't suited to travel. Before heading out on the road with your four-legged friend, ask yourself the following questions: • Is it safe if I bring my pet with me? This means you have to make the call if your pet is fit enough to travel. • Does my pet like to travel? If your dog runs and hides when you open the car door, consider hiring a pet sitter and leaving him at home. • Is this trip 'pet-appropriate'? Some destinations just are not pet-friendly. After going through the questions, and you feel the trip will be good for your pet, or if the trip is a must because you are relocating, it's important to plan and minimize the risk to your 'best friend'. • Do Your Homework If your dog's only travel experience has been going to the vet, you may want to practice him on the art of traveling in a car, preferable a few weeks before you really take him on long trips. Start with short trips, such as 5 or 10 minute drives. And always remember to end the trip with a positive reward, such as a special treat or fun activity. Slowly lengthen the trips to 30 minutes or one hour. • Safety on the Road If you travel with your kids, you always fasten their seatbelts. Do the same for your pets. For your animal's safety, always restrain him when traveling. You do not need to always go with those metal travel crates, as there are other options nowadays that offer more comfort and mobility . Safety harnesses, which attach to any seatbelt, allow your animal to sit or stand comfortably, while safety gates, made either of metal or mesh, give him mobility in a restricted area. If you do need crates for example, for the smaller animals such as your cats, make sure they are well ventilated. If you roll using one of those big RV's, you do have more freedom and flexibility, but you still need to be aware of the basics. Make sure all items, such as food or medicine, are properly stowed and secured inside your RV. To avoid injury to loose animals during sudden stops and turns, block off small areas with baby gates. No matter what type of vehicle you drive, you will need to stop every few hours for a pet pit stop. Also make sure your pets have their leash as you open your vehicle's doors when you go for these pit stops. • Bring a Pet Travel Kit Don't forget to pack a separate bag for your animal. Make sure you bring his favorite food to avoid upset stomachs, and to bring some water too since the water in other places may not suit him at all . Cats can generally travel up to 10 hours without having to use a litterbox, but it never hurts to bring along a disposable litterbox for emergencies or overnight stops. A pet first-aid kit is a must, in case of accidents. And a favorite toy or pillow will give your animal a sense of familiarity. Keep a current health certificate for your pet handy during interstate travel, because many states require one. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Jane is a retiree living in the heat of Fort Lauderdale Florida. In an effort to relieve boredom, she has created a varied collection of sites, so if you are shopping for toys or even tiffany lamps for the holiday season, try visiting her sites. |
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