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.

Although car trips require less paperwork, owners still need to prepare their pets for a long journey. “If your dog or cat gets anxious driving around town and you want to get them to be comfortable, start putting a crate in your house with their favourite things in there,” Salerno suggested. “Once they have a comfort level with the crate, put it in the car and let them go in it in the car. Then the next step is to drive around the block and gradually increase the duration of travel.”

Martz agreed. “It’s all association and taking the time with them,” she said. “If you put them in a bag and take them to the vet for a shot, they’re going to associate the bag with an unpleasant experience.” Instead, put your animal in its crate or bag and drive it to the park or a dog run.

Once you arrive at your vacation home, take the same time and care to acclimatise the pet to its surroundings. Bringing a few comfort items, like its bed or favourite toys, will ease the transition. “It’s just like bringing kids,” Walter said. “You bring something that’s familiar from home.”

The one new thing you should secure is a local vet, and you should provide that vet with health records (especially if the animal is older or chronically ill) or your home vet’s contact information, just in case the two need to connect.

“Like with people, the stress of travel can lower your immune system,” Walter said. One of the most common ailments she sees falls under the umbrella of what she terms ‘dietary indiscretion.’ So be sure to keep an eye on your pet’s ‘alternative’ snacking habits and check with your neighbours about any toxic plants that may grow in the area. Then simply give your furry friends time to adjust. Don’t leave them alone right away and risk their wrath, which may be shown through inappropriate elimination or sudden shyness.

“It sounds dorky, but giving them a tour and showing them where their litter box or bed is — that goes a long way,” Walter said. “And then just being around. I think most animals appreciate being around their people. I don’t think they care where they are....