If you are travelling with your pet and want to get the most from your summer, read our top tips for safe and happy holidays:
The holidays are here and for pet parents it is vital that your pet has the best time too. Read our top tips to ensure your whole family gets the most from their holiday.
Going aboard
Taking your pet abroad takes a bit more pet planning than a staycation.
You will need a pet passport to travel to the EU – and to come back into the UK after your holiday –you will need to see your vet at least a month before your holiday to sort out your pet’s passport.
Passport
To qualify for a passport, you pet needs to be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and be at least 15 weeks of age, by the time of travel. Your pet will need vaccinations 21 days before travel so it pays to plan ahead.
You will also need to visit a vet 24-120 hours before coming back into the UK so the vet can confirm your pet is well enough to travel and has been treated for tapeworm.
Planes, trains and automobiles
Once you have the pet passport you are good to go. If you are planning to take your dog on a long-haul trip, many commercial airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and British Airways World Cargo, allow pets to be transported in the hold of the plane. Many charter airlines allow pets to travel in the carriage of the plane. Check individual airline websites for more details.
Eurotunnel allows a pet to travel in your car for around £19 although Eurostar doesn’t currently allow pets.
UK railnetworks allow a maximum of two well behaved dogs per human.
Buses and tubes allow dogs who are on a lead and who are carried up escalators and through gates.
Some ferries have cabins specifically to cater for pet owners with dog-friendly cabins. Other ferries offer kennels. Check individual websites to confirm.
If you are journeying to your holiday by car, there are top tips to remember.
Planning is key
Always plan your route, ensuring time for stops and factoring in contingency plans for delays. Carefully consider the size and temperament of your pet and how much space they need to be comfortable when travelling.
If you need to travel with your pet, allow them to get completely comfortable with their environment. Before setting off, let them sniff around the car and find a comfortable place to sit. Place their favourite toy or blanket where you would like them to travel.
Before any long journey
Encourage your pet to go to the toilet and have a quick run around the garden, a short walk or some form of exercise.
To avoid the risk of travel sickness, arrange for your pet to eat a couple of hours before travelling. Some animals can become more travel sick if they can see out of a window, so restricting their view can help. If your pet suffers regularly from travel sickness, your vet might be able to prescribe anti-sickness or anti-diarrhoea medicine.
A pet carrier in the right size for your pet offers the best protection and reduces their chances of distracting you on your journey. Get your pet to practice sleeping in the crate at home so they quickly become comfortable and settled within it.
Car journey
Secure the carrier safely within the car in case you turn a corner sharply or brake suddenly.
For larger animals such as big dogs, a carrier might not be appropriate. Instead you should consider a restraining harness, which can be attached to the car seatbelts to keep your dog safe.
Stop regularly to allow your animal to go to the toilet and get some fresh air.
Ensure that your animal has easy access to drinking water, so they don’t become dehydrated.
Take a supply of their usual pet food and favourite snacks, in case your journey is delayed.
Never leave pets in the car on a hot day… the temperature inside a vehicle can be twice as high as that outside
Keep animals cool by turning on the air conditioning or opening the windows furthest from the animal. Never drive with your animal’s head out of the window.
Be aware of the needs of your pet and be very careful if you get stuck in a traffic jam on a hot day and your pet is in the path of direct sunlight. Sadly there have been incidences when dog’s have died in such circumstances, so if you are aware they are in distress try and pull over as soon as possible to check on them.
Ideally, you shouldn’t leave pets in the car alone but, if it’s unavoidable, park in the shade and leave windows open on both sides of the car.
Read here What to Do if your Dog is Hit By A Car
Choosing your destination
Bespoke companies such as Pets Pyjamas specialise in dog friendly travel and can point you in the direction of handpicked hotels and cottages which specifically welcome dogs and offer dog-friendly packages.
Avoid travel if…
Unless you are taking your pets a short distance to your Vet, you should ideally avoid travelling with your pet if they are: seriously injured, bleeding or vomiting; new born and or incapable of feeding themselves and not accompanied by its mother; heavily pregnant or has given birth within 48 hours of the journey
Always carry
Ideally you should have a pet specific first aid kit including specific pet, chew-resistant bandages, a foil blanket to keep them warm and insulate them from the ground, gauze pads, saline and an absorbent mat to sit your injured pet on.
Keeping your dog calm
Travelling can be very stressful for pets, a few things you can do to help calm them down are:
Keeping their schedule the same – making sure feeding, walking and bathroom times are the same.
Bringing familiar toys – the familiar scent of these will help calm your pet.
It is strongly advised that you complete an online or attend a practical first aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency. Visit http://www.FirstAidforPets.net or call 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses.
First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused. It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course or take our online course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.
Please contact emma@firstaidforpets.net or https://www.firstaidforpets.net
Remember to visit our other websites: First Aid for Life and Online First Aid