Happy Thanksgiving!

Are you going to travel with your pet for the holidays? Traveling together can be a good way to strengthen your relationship because you are spending more time together, but remember-not all pets actually LIKE traveling. By making the right preparations in advance, training and providing diligent, loving supervision throughout the holiday, you and your pet can have a great time.

Dogs trained reliably for the following behaviors have advantages for travel, whether going with you or staying home at a boarding facility.

1) Come when called-dogs who run the other way when called can be at risk for injury or worse.
2) Ride calmly in cars-if they get carsick or anxious it just isn't any fun for the pet or you.
3) Rest calmly in a crate-dogs who can't spend time confined to a small kennel can injure themselves by chewing or clawing at bars or just get messy if they stress out and defecate/urinate on themselves
4) Walk loosely on a leash-dogs who pull on a leash risk injury to their throats and can hurt those holding the leash.
5) Wait at doors for permission to exit-dogs or cats dashing out opened doors can wind up in tragic situations. New people won't know to squeeze out a slightly opened door to hold in an eager pet.

Cats should of course be litter box-trained (I thought this was so basic but had a client the other day who never provided a box for her cat as he always went outside.)
All pets should have a microchip implanted for permanent identification should they get lost (collars often come off.)

Make sure your pet is healthy before traveling-most airlines require a health certificate if you are flying with your pet. Get this done within the time limits they set-each airline is different.
Have a good idea of rules and regulations of hotels and even preferences of family members where you and your pet will be staying- not all are "pet friendly."

If traveling makes your pet very stressed or anxious, tranquilizers aren't really a good idea. They can alter personalities in unpredictable ways, can drop body temperatures and some airlines won't accept pets who are overly sedated. It might be better just to leave your pet home if they hate traveling that much.

Above all, be be safe and have a good time. Lots of preparation ahead of time can make all the difference.

I'm off to California tomorrow for a nice long weekend. No, Verbal and the others aren't going along this time. My hospital attendant, Kristina, has graciously agreed to stay with my menagerie. I'm so fortunate to have some one I totally trust with my beloved kids. I get to spend some time with my wonderful in-laws in the central California coast area. (We haven't been home in ages so this will be a real treat.) I hope everyone has a safe and healthy holiday; I'll get back to writing when I get back.

Peace,
DrReneigh