Going on holiday can be lots of fun - but leaving a pet behind is often stressful. The following tips could reduce the worry you might otherwise feel.
June brings with it the knowledge that summer holidays are about to become reality. However, some owners may be preoccupied with worries over pet health care for their furry friends while they are jetting off somewhere hot.
There are several options for looking after a pet dog or cat while you are on holiday: you can leave your animal at a boarding kennel or cattery, with a friend, or allow it to stay in your own house with a sitter.
Whichever method you choose, following the tips below could help ease any worries you may have.
The choice of cattery or kennel.
Don't select a place for your pet unless you have previously found out about all its practices and procedures. Before you entrust your beloved pet to an establishment you should visit the place several times so that you learn about its staff and procedures. Getting to know the people who will be caring for your pet, asking them about emergency protocol and the sort of food, exercise and attention your animal will receive on a daily basis is also advisable. If you have any misgivings about where you are about to leave your pet, don't leave him there. Some facilities even have special pet webcams which allow you to see your pooch or moggy playing and relaxing, so why not enquire about this?
How to find a sitter?
Whether you are hiring a professional or asking a friend to catsit for a week, it could be a great idea to spend some time with them and your animal before you leave. This should help reassure you about how your pet and its would-be carer interact together, as well as allowing the babysitter to get to know the animal and its quirks.
Things to leave behind.
No matter where your pet is staying or who with, leaving the carer a list of emergency contacts, details about special diets, routines or idiosyncrasies the animal may have and a copy of its veterinary records is probably a wise move. Ensure that yourdog insurance details are within the documents supplied. There will be many things about your pet that you will take for granted but which won't be known to its carer so think hard about such things and write them down for the carer. Giving your pet a favourite toy and perhaps a blanket or T-shirt which carries the scent of you and home can also help reassure it.
How to leave without mutual distress.
ASPCA, the American cat and dog rescue organisation, claims that when the owner leaves, many animals, particularly dogs, can become distressed. If your dog manifests this distress by destructive behaviour or physical symptoms, everyone will be upset. Not only do the pet health care experts recommend getting any tics - such as nervous urination - checked out at the vets before leaving to rule out any biological issues. Your pet insurance company may cover the vet fees should treatment be needed. Greetings and goodbyes should, according to the professionals, be calm and brief; otherwise your pet may become terrified. So, however emotional you may feel, your pet is best served by your leaving him as casually as you can.
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