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Whether you're traveling for the holidays or planning to spend a couple of weeks on a road trip during the summer months, you can't always take your pets with you when you travel. If you won't be taking your dog or cat with you during your next out-of-town trip, now is the time to start planning for their care while you're away. Use these tips to help you ensure you have a good trip and that your pet has a fun "staycation" at the same time.
Update Your Pet's Identification Information
Before you venture out for your vacation, it's important to make sure your pet is safe at home. If he doesn't already have a microchip, now is the time to contact your veterinarian about getting him one. If your pet already has a microchip, make sure the information is up to date with your current address and contact information. In addition to a microchip, it is a good idea to have your pet wear an identification tag. Tags are not only a functional way to keep your pet safe but also can add style. From tags for sports fans to feminine ones for your favorite furry girl, there is a wide range of options to choose from.
Decide Who Is Going To Take Care of Your Pets
Of course, you can't leave your pets home alone to fend for themselves. If you don't want your travel plans to be interrupted, start looking for someone to watch your pets as soon as you solidify your travel plans. The best idea is to have a trusted family member or friend stay at your place while you're out of town. This way, there is minimal interruption to your pets' normal routines and you can rest easier in knowing that your animals are safe at home. If you can't find someone who can watch them in your home, maybe your friend or family member will take care of your pets in their own home. Don't worry if you don't know somebody who can help, though. There are other options, such as local petsitters or boarding facilities.
Research Local Petsitters and Boarding Options
If you must rely on a stranger or a boarding facility to take care of your pets while you're out of town, it is important to research your options thoroughly. If you can, aim to hire a licensed, bonded, and insured petsitter who will come to your home multiple times per day to feed your pets, take them on walks, and spend time petting them and playing with them. If you go the route of a boarding facility, ensure it is one that allows you to tour it beforehand. It should be clean, spacious, and provide plenty of room for the animals to play, eat, sleep, and get attention from the staff members. No matter which option you choose, be sure to verify licenses, ask for insurance information, conduct interviews, and speak to former clients to ensure your pets will be safe when they are not in your care.
Gather Up All the Right Supplies
Regardless of where your pet will be staying while you're out of town, you'll want him to have everything he needs to feel safe and comfortable. If your pet will be staying at home, be sure he's stocked up on his favorite treats and some tennis balls or another type of toy that he likes. If he will be spending time outside of the home, you'll want to go a little further. In addition to his toys and treats, provide the petsitter with a set of travel bowls, extra pet waste bags, and an extra leash. It is also a good idea to send your pet with a blanket and a first aid kit. Pack everything into a tote for easy transport.
Create an Itinerary for Your Pets
Chances are you've already spent plenty of time creating the itinerary for your vacation. It is a good idea to create an itinerary for your pets as well. In addition to providing their food and a feeding schedule, let your pet's caregiver know when they usually go on walks, how long they tend to spend outside, when you prefer them to start settling down in the evening, and more. Remember to provide a medication schedule if necessary, as well as a list of things that your pets do and do not like.
Keep the Goodbyes Short and Sweet
You're going to miss your pet while you're gone, but if you fawn over them more than normal or act like you going away is a big deal, they will probably pick up on it as something out of the ordinary and may even become anxious because of it. When you're saying goodbye to your pet before you travel out of town, keep it to the same type of goodbye you'd give them if you were leaving to go to work or to run errands. This way, they'll know that you are coming back and won't be so distressed when you're gone, even if it is for longer than usual.
Remember, you know your pet better than anybody else. Be sure that you're catering to his needs while you're out of town. If your dog or cat won't do good in a boarding facility, don't go on a trip until you find an individual sitter, for example. Keeping your pet's needs at the forefront ensures that you'll have a safe trip and know your fur baby is safe while you're gone.
