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Travel Tips
Seasonal Tips
As each season brings with it certain hazards and
considerations, here are a few tips to remember when travelling with
your pet.
Winter
Travelling in winter generally means holiday time spent with
relatives, food, alcohol and decorations. If you want to keep your
pet safe while visiting, please ensure that he or she does not
inadvertently partake in things which might be harmful or toxic:
fatty foods, bones from poultry, alcohol, chocolate (which can lead
to irregular heart rate or seizures), onions (destroy a dog’s red
blood cells), etc. Holly and mistletoe are also particularly
poisonous. If you feel you must treat your pet, give a special
chewy, a few tablespoons of peanut butter or a catnip treat. Do not
allow relatives to give your pet special treats that have not been
approved by you.
Christmas trees, ribbons, yarn, electrical cords, tinsel, glass
ornaments and lit candles, can all be attractive novelties to a
curious pet, as well as potential sources of holiday disaster. Do
not leave your pet unattended in the company of these items.
Guests coming and going increase the chance of a pet escaping from
the home. Increased noise and activity can cause animals to become
highly stressed. Keep your pet indoors and always make sure it is
wearing current identification. Provide your pet with a quiet secure
area where it can relax away from the holiday bustle.
If you are visiting a cold weather area, remember that salt and
other chemicals used to melt ice and snow can be corrosive and can
irritate the pads on your pet’s feet. Licking paws only serves to
transfer that irritation to their mouth. Wipe off your pet’s feet
with warm water when they return indoors after being out on streets
and/or sidewalks.
Although antifreeze has a taste that is alluring to pets, it is also
a deadly poison. Look for products that contain propylene glycol
rather than ethylene glycol. Always clean up spills and store all
chemicals in an area inaccessible to your pet.
Keep all animals indoors during frigid winter weather. Older, very
young or ill pets are extremely sensitive to the cold. As animals
are susceptible to frostbite, keep outdoor trips to a minimum when
the temperatures are low.
Winter walks in an unfamiliar area can mean trouble for wandering
pets. Always keep your pet on a leash and under your watchful eye.
Partially frozen ponds and lakes can lead to disaster, while mounds
of snow make animals invisible until they run out in front of a car.
Deep snow makes it difficult for smaller and /or older pets to walk.
Never leave your pet in a car during winter. Frigid temperatures can
quickly become lethal to a pet in any type of vehicle.
Summer
Depending on where you are travelling, be on guard for fleas and
ticks. Check with your veterinarian before embarking on a trip so
that you can be well armed in the event that you encounter
infestations, bites, etc.
When walking your pet, stay off of unfamiliar lawns. Common
pesticides, particularly organophosphates, are extremely dangerous
to the long-term health of your pet.
Be prepared if spending time hiking or walking outdoors. Always
carry a pet first aid kit, veterinarian/poison control contact
numbers and plenty of water.
Do not exercise your dog in extremely hot, humid weather or
immediately after it has eaten. Early morning or later in the
evening is best.
Avoid walking your pet on hot asphalt during a hot day. Their body
temperature heats up quickly and their paws can actually be burned.
If you are spending time at the beach, provide plenty of shade and
fresh water for your pet. If the dog is light-coated or hairless you
must protect it with sunscreen (even animals can be sunburned).
Rinse salt water off your pet throughout the day, as it can be
irritating to the skin.
Ensure there are no fly-screens your dog or cat can fall through if
staying at a hotel during warm weather. |
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