On holiday:
It’s all too easy to get carried away when you get to your hotel or apartment and forget that your pet might not settle into things as quickly as the rest of the family. Always make sure they have time and space to acclimatise themselves to their new surroundings and remember to take extra care when letting them outside in case they get lost or confused. It’s always worth taking extra precautions, such as keeping a dog on the lead, as there’s nothing quite like a lost pet to ruin a holiday!
Once you’ve settled into your holiday, there are some other important things to bear in mind as to make sure you and your pets enjoy a safe and happy holiday:
- The sun can be dangerous to pets as well as people – pets with white skin, especially on their ears, are particularly prone to sunburn and even skin cancer so use a high-factor sun block on any white areas of skin that don’t have much fur cover.
- Dogs (and cats) can easily overheat and suffer from hyperthermia in hot weather – to avoid this make sure they always have access to shade, fresh water and plenty of fresh air.
- While dogs in particular often enjoy playing in the sea, rivers or lakes, there can be hazards such as dangerous currents, hidden obstacles and even toxic blue-green algae in stagnant water, so make sure you check out any water before letting the dog plunge in.
Staying at home:
There may be time when taking your pet away with you is just not practical and you have to look at alternative arrangements such as kennels or catteries. Although some pets really do enjoy these ‘staycations’, for many it’s time to be endured rather than enjoyed, so it is important to help make them as comfortable as possible while you’re away. Here are my tips for helping your pets enjoy the kennel or cattery experience:
- Check out any kennel or cattery in person before sending your pets there. Look for modern, clean and comfortable accommodation, kind and enthusiastic staff, and safe and appropriate exercise facilities.
- If possible take your pet’s own food so they don’t have to change their diet while they stay, as this can cause digestive upsets.
- Take your pets favourite bedding, toys and anything else that will help make them feel at home
