Easter and your pets

The Easter long weekend is a great chance to chill out and enjoy some quality time with the whole family – including your pets. Whether you’re planning to stay close to home or go away for a mini-break (with or without your pets), there’s plenty of ways to ensure they have as much fun as you do.

Traveling with your pets

If you decide to take your pets away with you, there are a few things you’ll need to plan carefully. Book pet friendly accommodation, and if your dog or cat has destructive habits like toileting inside, chewing or scratching up the furniture, factor it in to the property you select – a secure outdoor sleeping area being a priority if you want to avoid a large damage bill!

Secondly, if your holiday involves car travel, you’ll need to be able to secure them in your vehicle. As well as driver distraction, unrestrained pets can become a missile in the event of an accident, causing a great deal of harm to themselves or to passengers in the car. Not convinced? The NRMA reports being hit by an unrestrained 20-kilogram dog, while travelling at 60km per hour, has the same impact as being hit by them from a third-floor balcony. Restraints don’t have to be expensive or difficult to use– an attachment that clips onto your dog’s harness or collar and loops through a seatbelt will set you back less than $20, and can be picked up at most pet supply stores. Cats (or energetic pooches) are better placed in a pet carrier which is secured into the vehicle.

READ MORE: Pets and travel

Last but not least, many animals experience car sickness, so talk to your vet about strategies to manage the symptoms before you set off.

Booking them their own ‘hotel’ stay
If having your pet stay with you is not an option and you’re traveling by car, consider a pet hotel or boarding kennel/ cattery close to where you are staying – this means you’re nearby in the event of an emergency.  Ask friends and family for recommendations, or veterinarians in the local area.  Flying interstate? If you can’t find a pet-sitter, try and find someone happy to be an in-case-of-emergency contact.

If you have the chance to check your pet’s accommodations in person before booking, ask to visit all the areas your pet will be taken. On your visit (or at drop off), ask to see all the places your pet may be taken. Things to look for:

• Does it look and smell clean?
• Is there sufficient space for your animal to move around, eat and sleep in?
• Are the staff caring and knowledgeable?
• Are dogs and cats kept in separate areas?
• What exercise will your pet be given, and do they offer any house time with the kennel owners?
• What are their policies on medical care, should your pet become ill or injured?
• Are all pets required to have proof of current vaccinations?
• How often are pets fed, and can you bring your own special food?
• Are other services available such as grooming, training, bathing?

 

A word of warning about chocolate

If you’ve got kids (or you and your significant other still enjoy an egg hunt - hey, no judgement here!) and your pets are around on Easter morning, you’ll need to get crafty when hiding the choccie eggs. Chocolate contains the compound theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and can affect cats and other animals at certain doses. Ideally keep your pets in a separate area from the hidden goodies and keep note of how much was hidden. This way you can keep them out of the space until everything is found and accounted for.

Do you prefer to bring your pets with you when going away for mini-breaks?  

 

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• PAW DigestiCare 60™
  PAW DigestiCare 60™ is a multi-strain, multi-species probiotic and wholefood powder for the maintenance of everyday digestive health of dogs, cats and other companion animals.
• PAW Multi+Tryptophan Chews
  Tasty kangaroo based chews that contain 25-50% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for key B group vitamins for general health & wellbeing including normal nervous function, antioxidants to maintain the immune system and additional tryptophan for positive balanced health.