If you’ve chosen your pet-friendly accommodation and are excited to get out and away so your holiday can begin, scan over this list to ensure your pet will fare just as well as you will, in the coming cooler months.
- Clothing
Those with smaller pets already know that one of the most important things to do in winter is keep their fluffy little friend warm. So body warmers, sweaters and jackets often adorn the bodies of small dogs such as Chihuahuas, Scottish terriers, Dachshunds, and sometimes, even cats. Larger dog breeds with thick coats don’t need this kind of protection, so skip ahead to the next point.
Though many people think that ‘dressing’ a pet is laughable and mistakenly assume that the animal’s short fur coats provide enough protection, smaller pets can and will start shivering violently in an attempt to warm up their frozen limbs with, unfortunately, little success.
So ignore the naysayers and do right by your pet. If you have a small dog breed or pet with short, close-cropped fur remember that they were bred to be indoor animals. If you’re grabbing a jersey or jacket for yourself when heading out, think of your animal companion and do the same for them.
- Beware of Chemicals
If you’re in an area which uses rock salt or chemicals to thaw ice out, be extra vigilant when walking your pet, as these above items can and will burn their delicate paws (or even land up being ingested by them licking the street or their paws, and end up poisoning them!). Once you’ve returned home, wipe their underbelly and paws off with a warm wash cloth, to remove any possible residue – or run the risk of your pet’s paws becoming raw and chapped. If this has already happened, then put some Vaseline or petroleum jelly onto the cracked paw to prevent infection setting in, and to seal it off.
- Food Glorious Food
Those travelling on holiday should bring some extra kibble and tinned food along for their animals, as it’s a fairly established fact that all species eat more during the colder months in order to remain insulated against the cold. It takes far more energy to stay warm in winter then it does in summer. Also, ensure you provide enough water for your pet to drink throughout the day (and night), as though it may sound strange, winter is the time to be extra vigilant about possible dehydration.
- Indoor Living
It should go without saying that cats should remain indoors, in a warm environment during winter. So if you’re taking your feline friend or small puppy with you on holiday, ensure you don’t let them out of your sight for an instant, as if you do, they will likely find a way outside so they can explore the new, exciting scenery and scents. The dangers of them wandering off are that they could become lost by being disorientated in the new environment, they could take shelter in a dangerous place (under a neighbours car for example), or be bitten by local wildlife and contract rabies.
- Bed Time
Just as you’re likely to find piles of blankets adorning your accommodations bed in winter, with thick winter sheets as an added bonus, your pet should also have somewhere cosy to put their head down at night. Ensure you bring along a thick blanket to line their bed / box with. If there are extreme temperatures, you could consider finding a Mylar space blanket to line the pet’s bed or box with, and then cover this with their blanket, to help them conserve their warmth. If you can’t find a space blanket, consider giving them a fluffy toy to cuddle (though don’t be too upset if said toy becomes limbless after a few days).
Let us know what tips and tricks you employ when taking your fluffy little friends with you on vacations.
Main image courtesy of Pete (Flickr)
