Your pet takes a holiday

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When it comes time to head for the vacation home, the big question may not be whether to pack the golf clubs, but whether to pack the family pet.

“If it’s a short vacation, many pets will be OK staying at a kennel or with a friend,” said Amanda Walter, an associate veterinarian at the Center for Veterinary Care in Manhattan. “And there are places that do doggie day care so that the dog gets a vacation of his own. But if you’re gone for months, I think the dog is going to be happier if it’s with you.”

Of course you’ll have to determine whether your favourite fuzzball can handle the journey. Older pets, especially, Walter added, might have a more difficult time, so the first step is to talk to your vet. He or she cannot only give your pet a checkup and any additional medicines or shots, but can also provide the necessary health records and certificates for travelling by plane or heading overseas.

If you do choose to fly, Kim Salerno, president and founder of Trips With Pets, has some tips. “It’s recommended that you book a non-peak flight,” she said, “which means typically less passengers and more cabin room. Less people means less stress on you and your pet.”

She also noted that owners should have a travel label on the pet carrier and travel ID tags on the pet with the details of your final destination. Keep in mind, said Gayle Martz, founder and president of Sherpa’s Pet Trading Company and author of ‘No Pet Left Behind’ (Thomas Nelson), that there are certain times of the year when you won’t be able to fly with your pet unless it’s small enough to travel inside the cabin with you. “It’s too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer,” she said.

So be sure to consult the airline; most have special staff to facilitate pet arrangements. In addition, organisations like the International Air Transportation Association (www.iata.org) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org) offer pointers on their web sites.