Vacationing with Pets: Top South Coast Veterinary Clinic Tips
As the holiday season descends upon us, many locals in Southeastern Massachusetts are planning to travel to see family and loved ones throughout the New England area and across the country. Whether you are heading down to Florida by plane or making the drive up to Vermont, it pays to have a plan in place when vacationing with pets. Start with a trip to your local veterinarian in South Coast to make sure that your furry friend is ready for travel. Make sure to ask about extra trips that might make it easier for your pet when you visit the South Coast veterinary clinic. Westport pet owners should be aware of all laws and requirements for traveling with pets, whether they are flying on a plane, traveling by car, or staying in hotels.
Tip #1 – Comfort + Care
One of the best ways to ensure a happy trip for your pet is to make sure that they are comfortable during the travel and at your destination. While we might think that this means a favorite bed or blanket, as well as some toys and treats, there is one more step that can help your pet better than anything else. A travel crate is excellent for both cats and dogs, as they have a little “den” and “safe space” to hang out in during the ride. This is true if you are on a plane or in a car, and it is even better if you can spend some time crate-training your pet ahead of the trip.
Tip #2 – Don’t Overdo It
When thinking about the things that you want to bring on your trip when vacationing with pets, please don’t overdo it when it comes to putting toys and blankets in the crate. Experts at your local South Coast veterinary clinic say that while you want your pet to be comfortable and have items that soothe them, you want to make sure the crate is not too full. A simple blanket instead of the whole bed and one toy instead of the entire menagerie is preferred. They need to have space to get up, move around, and adjust their position throughout the trip.
Tip #3 – Bring All the Paperwork
You never know when you might need to have your pet’s health records when vacationing with pets. Westport pet owners should visit their veterinarian in South Coast and have an up-to-date health certificate for boarding, doggie daycare, airline and hotel requirements, and in case of emergency. Even if you are simply driving across two states to visit a family member and won’t be going by plane or staying in a hotel, you want to have your pet’s shot records and information on any health conditions or concerns in case anything happens along the way.
Tip #4 – Loss Prevention
While some pet owners have their pets microchipped, not everyone does. However, there are other things that you can do to ensure that they are safely returned. New chipped tags for collars are great, as is writing your contact information on the collar itself in case the tag was to fall off during their escapade. Make sure all contact information is current and up to date in case they get lost during your trip. It happens more often than you might think, and if your pet means enough to you for you to be vacationing with pets, you don’t want to spend your holidays in heartbreak. Consider using things like pet seatbelts, car seats, and other security measures during travel if you are unable to crate your pet. Something that will keep them tethered to the vehicle so they can’t escape at a roadside stop or before you are ready to take them out at your destination is essential.
Visit Our South Coast Veterinary Clinic
Contact Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian in South Coast prior to your trip. We can answer any questions that you might have about pet travel concerns and provide you with information that you can use to make the trip go a lot smoother. Contact our team today to schedule an appointment by calling 508-996-3731 and speaking with one of our friendly staff members about your pets.