Today we will talk about houseguest etiquette and what you should remember when traveling with your pet this holiday season. We love our dogs and cats and we treat them like family but we need to remember that others might not feel that way. Before hitting the road with your pet, make sure your host is on board with the arrangement. Keep in mind the following guidelines to ensure a safe and happy trip with your dog or cat:
Make Sure Your Pet is Welcome
Before you plan your trip make sure your dog or cat is welcome, even if you made the same trip last year. The circumstance of your host family might have changed and this year you might need to make new arrangements. Ask if your host has pets of their own and be honest about your own pet’s behavior. If your dog hates cats and your host has a cat you may need a plan in order to keep the peace, especially if your host is family. If you aren’t able to separate the animals within the home, either leave yours at home, or make other sleeping arrangements. Many hotels and motels are pet-friendly but once again, you’ll need to make arrangements in advance.
Planning and Preparation
When we travel, we make sure we have everything we need: clothes, toothpaste, medicine etc. The same rules apply when we travel with our pets. They have needs and we need to take those needs into consideration. While preparing for your trip make a list of everything your dog or cat will need while traveling. Necessary items include:
- Food
- Treats
- Toys
- Grooming Items
- Leash/Muzzle
- Litter box/ Litter
- First Aid Kit
- Photograph of Your Pet
- Vet Records
Make sure your pet is wearing identification tags with your address and phone number on it, just in case he gets lost or runs away. Be prepared for any situation. Your trip will be less stressful for everyone, including your pet.
Rules and Expectations
While planning your trip ask your host if they have rules concerning pets because every pet person is different. One pet owner might allow their pets on the furniture while another might not. Some dogs have the run of the house while others are restricted to certain areas, or even certain rooms. If you’re unsure of anything like where your pet will eat and sleep, be sure to ask.
A New Environment
Be patient when bringing your dog into a new setting. Ask your host if he or she has a quiet spot for your dog to rest until he adjusts to being in a new place. If he’s not ready to meet new people, help him remain calm until he’s ready to do so.
Keeping Your Pet Safe
Certain states, such as Hawaii are rabies free, which means they have a quarantine restriction in place. Know in advance the rules of the city or country that you will be visiting.
Meeting Other Pets
When visiting a host family it’s important to monitor all activity your pet will have with other pets he might not be familiar with. Watch their interactions until you know for sure your pet has adjusted to his or her new surroundings.
Instruct children on how to act around pets and be sure to supervise at all times. Even the most well behaved dog might bite or become aggressive if teased or mistreated.
Road Trip
When it’s time to hit the road remember to keep your pet safe in the car. Keep your dog in a carrier or secure him in a pet seat belt. Never let your dog wander around the car while you’re driving. If you stop to take a break always keep your dog on a leash. Don’t leave your dog alone in the car unattended. Pets left alone might suffer or die because of a difference in temperature. In some states you might find yourself in legal trouble if your dog is found alone inside a vehicle.
Clean Up
Make sure you take the time to clean up after your pet. Pet waste should be cleaned up as soon as possible to prevent pet odor and the spread of disease. Be considerate when walking your dog in the park. Carry pet waste disposal bags or take advantage of a cleaning station if the park you are walking in has one.
Bedtime
If your dog sleeps with you or near you at night, he might not care for sleeping alone, even more so in a new place. If that’s the rule, make sure he gets plenty of exercise and fresh air during the day so he’s tired at night. Be sure to bring his bedding and toys and never punish your dog for barking.
These are just a few things you should be aware of when traveling with your pet this holiday season. For more help tips on traveling with your pet, visit https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets. Today we thank them for helping us with this post.
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