What should you do for pets if you are going on holiday?

One of the most important things on your to-do list whilst you are getting equipped for holiday is making preparations for your pet.  If you are travelling together with your puppy, check my episode on traveling with pets for all of the data you may want to have a secure and glitch-unfastened vacation. But, if you are visiting and your puppy or pets can not go along with you, arrangements need to be made. Things to not forget. A few matters ought to be considered when figuring out what to do with your pets while on excursion.

Factors to Consider

Do you have a cat or cats?  A dog?  Both? How old are they?  Do they need special care? How well do they do on their own?  Are they okay going to someone else’s home?  How long will you be away? You get the picture.  There is a lot to think about, but you know your pets the best so let’s go through the options. 

Leave with a family member:

Leave with a family member/friend Another way to have your cat or cats cared for is to take them to a family member or friend. This can be tricky as many cats will hide for a few days in unfamiliar surroundings. They can also find ways to disappear into ducts or walls or basement hidey holes. 

 This can be a problem because they may get in but can’t get out. So if the cats are going to someone’s house, that person will have to cat proof their house. It’s probably best to contain the cats in one area for a few days until they get used to not being in their own home.

Take your pet to the caregiver:

Taking your cat to a caregiver is a great idea if you are going for an extended period of time. Boarding Facility ginger cat sleeping in white cat bed. Another option for a cat is a stay at a cat boarding facility. You would need to research your area to see which facilities are close by and board cats. If you are considering this, then you will need to devote a little time before the vacation to check out these facilities and speak with facility owners and managers.

Take your pet to the facility

The facility will let you know what it is that they require to board with them, this could be vaccinations they had not been given. Therefore, you will need time getting to the vet and making sure your cat is in fact vaccinated. House Sitter and last but not least, if you have a friend or family member who would like to come and stay in your home while you are away, then your kitty will have someone to hang out with, and their routine will be completely unaffected.  

This can also be done through hiring a house sitter.  Pet Sitter Obviously the first option which was to have a person visit every other day is not going to work with a dog. However, it may work if you have a person or persons come in to let your dog out and feed and walk two or three times a day. A friend or several friends or family members could do this, taking turns or you could hire a pet sitter. If there were any coming to your home to sit three times daily for a week or more, then a pet sitter can get a little pricey.

Check the tolerance level of your pet

It is definitely an option, but a dog or cat still needs to tolerate being left alone for sometimes longer stretches and overnight time. Considerations when employing a sitter. Other preparations should be made to take the dog to the pet sitters for a visit before being left.  This way the dog will not be completely in unfamiliar territory. Take a look around outside to make sure that the backyard is secure if they have one, so the dog can go out in the yard and not get out under the fence.  It’s always a good idea to bring all of the dog’s familiar things.

Blanket, bed, toys, bowls and leashes

One of the biggest things you run into all the time is someone coming in looking to get food for the dog they are looking after, having no idea what it is because the pet parents didn’t leave enough food or treats for the dog. Ensure that you have left the sitter with more than enough food and treats or at least leave them the information of what food your pet eats and where to get it.

 This applies to the cat as well. And it is a good idea to remember that your dog could easily be upset for a few days and not want to eat or have a bout of the scoots. Let the sitter know that this is a possibility and it isn’t anything to really worry about unless it persists. In this case your emergency contact info should be very clearly given and who your vet is, their phone number and their address.

Stay with a friend or family member

Stay with a friend or family member. The next option is to take your dog to a friends or a family member’s home. Some people have family or friends that know their pet quite well and this works out just fine. If this is your first time, you have to prepare the sitter and the dog. Remember that you are away. When the dog or cat gets out, this can be very helpful as the finder of your pet is to directly call the sitter.

Conclusion

Leaving our pets is always stressful because we are worried everything is going well.  The only way to deal with that is to have the type of pet sitting you feel that is best for you and for your pet.  Complete information to the sitter whether in home or at their home is imperative.  Preparation is key. Remember the food because you can’t tell how many times at this time of year. There can’t be any no clue what the dog or cat eats and they are out of food. However, all you need is to prepare well, and enjoy your vacation fully.