• Pet Supplies

    Traveling With a Pet

    The Choice to Travel with a Pet

    Traveling with a furry friend by plane may sound stressful for you and your pet, or even impossible. Not to worry, though, as many flights do allow pets and provide accommodations for them. The first step to take is to weigh the pros and cons of taking your pet with you. If it is a permanent move for which you are taking a flight, the choice most likely comes down to whether or not you will ever see your pet again. If it is going to be a long vacation or business trip away from your pet but a long-term pet sitter or caretaker can be arranged, flying with your pet may not be the best choice for you. If you do decide to take your pet along, research the airline or airlines you are considering. Complaints from other people about taking their pets with them are red flags. Knowing that an airline will treat your pet with the utmost kindness and care will put you at ease about taking Fido along for the flight.

    Discuss the Decision with a Medical Professional

    Talk to your veterinarian first. This is important because your dog or cat may have a condition that would prevent them from flying. Seeking expert advice may prevent any major problems with a pet’s flight. The pet should be evaluated thoroughly to make sure flying is a safe choice. Some pets may have an illness or other issue that may flair up during an airplane ride. Or, the confined setting and lack of attention while on a plane may exacerbate a pet’s pre-existing condition. Checking with your pet’s doctor about these potential issues and risks before taking them on an airplane is a very good idea.

    What to Expect for Your Pet

    The overall experience of a pet on an airplane is not usually a good one, but discomfort can be minimized if you take the steps described above into consideration before boarding. Often, pets that weigh more than twenty pounds have to be transported as cargo on an airplane. The cargo area is held at a proper temperature and it is pressurized for the animals in crates. There are risks to a pet’s health and even the possibility of death, but usually a pet will be a bit uncomfortable but okay during brief travel. Try to make the …

  • Pet

    Keeping Pets Cool This Summer

    Summer can be a difficult time for pets, both big and small. The increase in temperature can mean some animals are not able to cope with it. As a pet owner there are some things you can do to help reduce the strain on your much loved pets.

    Small animals, such as hamsters through to guinea pigs may find their sleeping patterns become disturbed if they are in an area that is too hot for them. Consider where you put their bedding and living quarters. You may want to move them to a cooler room, away from direct sunlight. You can also consider cage covers as a good way of keeping a bit of shade around. Water is also an issue in the summer. It will inevitably warm up in sunlight, causing it to become stale. You might even notice algae blooms appearing. A great way to combat this is to clean the bottle daily with a disinfectant designed for rodents, making sure to thoroughly rinse. You can also use a special insulated bottle in order to keep water cooler for longer.

    Cats will love the sunshine. They will bask in the suns rays given any chance they can. This can be a problem though, as many outdoor cats will suffer from sunburn. Using a small dab of sun lotion on ear tips and other areas of exposed skin can help the sun seeking feline to stay sun burn free! Water should also be kept cool and clean, many cars will and do drink from puddles, but at this time of year it is often difficult to find area to sip, so your own water bowl may be their only choice!

    Dogs also tend to feel the heat. As with cats, using sun lotion on exposed areas of skin for the outdoor loving dog can help reduce sunburn. Be aware that on very hot days your dog’s paws may also be at risk of burn from hot tarmac! If you go for a long walk you may want to take a ‘pocket puddle’ with you. They conveniently fold into a small pouch and provide an excellent portable bowl for water stops along the way. Also remember never to leave your dog in the car on a hot day, even if it is just for 20 minutes, it can be deadly. If travelling in the car, there are some …