| Traveling with your Pet(s) |
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| Advice for Cats and Dogs in Cold Weather Whether you live in a cold place, or are visiting a cold place for some time, you should take some precautions for your pet’s safety. If you have an outdoor cat, be aware that in the winter, it might sleep under a car for warmth. This can be very hazardous if the car starts and the fan belt goes on. If there are many stray or outdoor cats in your neighborhood, you can make sure to bang on the hood of your car to scare it away, before you start your car’s engine. If you are walking your dog in an intense snowstorm, do not let it off the leash. It’s very easy for the dog to get lost, as the snow can be disorienting and make it lose its sense of smell outside. More dogs are lost in the winter time than in any other season, so be sure to have the ID tags properly secured on its collar. If you take your dog out into the snow, sleet or ice, be sure to wipe it off on the legs, feet and stomach when it comes indoors. The salt that people put out on the ground is dangerous for dog feet, as it can cut the pads and cause bleeding. If your dog licks the salt or some antifreeze while licking its paws, this can be very dangerous. A lot of dog owners are getting into dog booties so that they can avoid this problem (not just because it looks cute!). Try to let your dog’s winter coat grow. Trimming is ok, but not shave it down to its skin. If you give your dog a bath when it’s cold out, make sure it is completely dry before you take it outdoors. If you have a short-haired dog, it might be a good idea to invest in a sweater. Do not leave your dog or cat in the car when it’s really cold out. Cars can trap in cold air and this can be fatal. If you use antifreeze, make sure it’s completely out of reach from cats and dogs. If your vehicle spills it out, thoroughly clean it up. You should use products with propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Puppies are not as good in the cold as adult dogs. Their fur is not as thick, and their feet have not been as calloused. They can be more difficult to house break during the winter months. Older dogs may also be less tolerant to cold weather, so if you have a really old dog, only take it outside to go to the bathroom. Old Man Winter has reared his ugly head and many people are trying to find that delicate balance between staying warm and keeping the cost of their heating bill down. While it may be easy for people to put on a jacket or bump up the thermostat, pets don’t have the same luxury. If you keep your pet outside, continually check your pet for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite Frostbite most frequently affects ears, toes, tails and areas least covered by fur. Signs of frostbite include red or swollen areas or skin that is very pale and white. To treat frostbite, immerse the area in warm water for 15-20 minutes. Never use hot water and call your veterinarian. Hypothermia Hypothermia occurs when a pet has been exposed to very cold temperatures and/or winds for an extended period of time. Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, low body temperature, stumbling, drowsiness and exhaustion. To treat hypothermia, the pet’s body temperature must be raised. Surround the pet in hot water bottles, warm towels or immerse in room-temperature water and slowly add warmer water. Try to get the animal to drink warm liquids and, of course, call your veterinarian. PetsWelcome.coM CONTRIBUTED BY: PSI |
| For a great site to find pet-friendly hotels, click on: WWW.PETSWELCOME.COM |
| Tips for Road Trips with Your Dog Dogs usually love going on car rides, whether they sit in the back of a pick up or just like to stick there head out the window against the wind. However, if you plan to do a long car ride with your dog, keep some things in mind. For one, have your dog used to being in a car. If you plan on taking a multiple-hour trip, take your dog out on trainer trips for an hour or two a few times before. Get out of the car and let your dog explore all of the new smells, sounds and scenery! It will become used to being outside the comfort zone. Bring tons of water, and bring your own food and water bowls. Bring the food it eats as home, because the road is a bad place to experiment with new food. Also bring an extra leash, some toys, towels, brushes and blankets. Your dog will likely feel more comfortable if these are all from home. If your dog gets carsick, ginger pills are a good remedy. Have your dog’s ID tag include your cell phone number or email in case of emergency. If you want to bring your dog in a cage, make sure it is used to the c age before you go away. If you plan to cross state or country borders, it helps to bring the latest veterinary statement that your dog is in good health. Make sure it includes valid vaccination records. In case there is some emergency and your dog might need to stay in a kennel, it is necessary to bring these documents. Do some research about the area you are traveling to, such as if it is prone to Lyme disease. When you are actually on the trip, make sure you stop every two to three hours so you and your dog can stretch and run around. It helps so it is not restless in the car. Give it water at the beginning of the break rather than the end! When walking your dog at night, always carry a flashlight. Try not to leave your dog in the vehicle unattended, because it is illegal in many states. If you are feeling cold in the car, your dog probably is too, so put a blanket over it. Take poison precautions before your trip- make sure the anti-freeze is out of reach, because some animals try to eat it. Also avoid eating hazardous foods near your dog in the car, such as chocolate, macadamia nuts, grapes or raisins. Enjoy your trip! |
| Advice for Flying with your Cat When you fly with your cat, make sure to do a lot of preparation before you head off, so everything goes smoothly. One month before your anticipated travel departure, you should call your travel agent or airline and reserve a space. Also double-check on your airline’s pet carrier and pet policies, because you don’t want anything to surprise you at the last minute! Test out your cat carrier. Make sure your cat has enough room in it, and be sure that it can breathe easily. Before you take off on a plane, you should do short car trips with your cat in its carrier, so it gets used to the motions. If necessary, you should go to your vet and get all necessary documentation. Health certificates and vaccination records could be necessary, depending on where you are traveling and what the airline policy is. If you feel it is necessary, pick up some sedatives. Some cats will be fine in this situation, but others will freak out, and you don’t want your cat making everyone’s ride miserable (crying babies are bad enough!) Have the health certificate within easy access, not buried away in a suitcase. You should purchase a cat collar, and put on an ID tag. You can buy a leash and harness if you feel that is necessary. For security purposes, you should list your name, phone number, address of home and the phone number and address of the city you are going to. Take a photo of your cat and keep it within reach, in case anything happens. You should feed your cat about six hours before you go to the airport. You should bring aboard a bottle of water, some dry food (wet food smells really bad and you don’t want to annoy anyone) and liners for the cat carrier. Before you go to the airport, you should put on the cat’s collar, and harness and leash, if necessary, before you put it into its cage. When you arrive at the airport, check in at the main counter, and then go to security. You can remove your cat from the carrier when you walk through the metal detector. Never put the cat through an X ray machine. During the flight, try to keep the cat in a relaxed temper. Try to pet it through the openings of its cage. When you land, wait until everyone exits before you get up and go. If you must travel with your cat as cargo, you should call in advance to see if there are any special requirements for this method. Watch your cat getting loaded and unloaded. Planes are less crowded in the middle of the week, as opposed to weekends, so this is the best time to travel. Don’t make plans to do this during very hot or very cold weather. Let a flight attendant know your cat is traveling as cargo. |
| Tips for Road Trips with Your Cat Need to take kitty along for your ride? Most cats hate the car, and will usually spend a while complaining until they fall asleep. However, there are ways to make your journey more enjoyable and safe for the both of you. Make sure you have an ID tag with your phone number for your cat when you go on the road. Cats will sometimes run away from their owners when they are out of their comfort zone, and may not have the orientation to turn back. Take along a copy of your cat’s latest veterinary records, in case of emergency, and definitely if you are traveling to another country. In case something happens and you need to put your cat in a kennel, you will be required to present these documents. Many cats have the problem of throwing up in the car. If you are going on a long road trip, it is a good idea to get your cat used to the car. You can do this by taking your cat into the car with the engine off, and then taking it on short trips, such as into town. Before you drive on your trip, try not to feed your cat within three hours before taking off (though make sure it has eaten thoroughly before). You can also purchase anti-nausea pills that often do the trick, though it can be hard for your cat to swallow them. Some cats may start drooling and acting very quiet due to nausea in the car. Bring a roll of paper towels or rags and be prepared! It is usually a good idea to bring your cat in a carrier for road trips. If your cat is often full of energy, it may walk around the car and try to get under the pedals or over your head, which is dangerous. When you buy a carrier, have your cat get used to it first. Put it indoors, open with some treats inside it, so that it can get used to its feel and smell. Do not try to force it inside, as it will always have those connotations to the carrier and try to avoid it. Cats like being in small spaces, and they will like that it smells like home. Bring food and water from home, and give it to your cat in its own bowls. Don’t experiment with new foods while traveling. Cats will pant when they become hot. If you want to be extra safe, you can invest in a harness and leash. by PetsWelcome.com |
| Air Animal Inc Tampa 813-879-3210 www.airanimal.com |
| Want to take your pet with you? Call Air Animal at 813-879-3210 or go to: www.airanimal.com |