A Happy Easter for Pooches - Six Tips for Safe, Stress-free Pet Travel

Planning to travel with your pets over the Easter weekend? It could lead to some serious health problems for your pets, so implement these travel tips from Merial South Africa to ensure your pets remain healthy and happy, wherever you travel this Easter.

1. Travel Planning: If you are visiting friends or family over the Easter weekend, make sure your hosts are happy to welcome your pets into their homes. Ask about any special requests or rules regarding pets in their home to ensure your visit is stress-free and enjoyable for everyone. If you are staying in a hotel, ensure that it is pet-friendly and that you have read their pet policy carefully to avoid any surprises once you arrive. If your pets are staying in a kennel or if you have hired a pet sitter, ensure that you have received references vouching for their services. Provide an up-to-date emergency contact number list (including your vet’s contact details) as well as a list of instructions detailing, for example, feeding times and medication details. If you are hosting friends and family, consider providing a quiet place where your pets can take a break from the traffic and excitement that can become stressful.

2. Pet Vaccinations, Tagging and Chipping: Make sure your pets’ vaccinations are up to date - this is especially important to protect them against rabies. Always travel with your pets’ vaccination booklet or certificates. Ensure your pets are micro-chipped and are wearing indentification tags with your updated contact details in case of an emergency or if they get lost while your are away. Also apply a trusted tick and flea product (ask your vet about Frontline Plus or Certifect) before you leave to protect your pets from fleas and ticks that can endanger their health.

3. Packing the Doggy Bag: While packing your bags, remember to pack the basics for your pets too, including food, medicine, a leash and a tagged collar, dog baggies and whatever else your beloved pooches will need to feel safe and comfortable away from home. Don’t forget to pack their vaccination booklets or certificates!

4. Road Trippin’ Pooch: When travelling in the car, keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or pet carrier that is large enough for them to stand, lie down and turn around in. Comfortable bedding is always welcome. Stop every so often so that your pets can walk around and stretch their legs, relieve themselves and stay hydrated – this will avoid unnecessary accidents in the car. A mini ‘pet pack’ for the car that includes a water bowl, food, toys, paper towels and bags will come in handy. NEVER leave your pets unattended in an unventilated, parked vehicle.

5. Chocolate isn’t Good for Dogs: Believe it! Theobromine and caffeine, found in the cocoa beans, can lead to gastrointestinal, neurological and cardiac abnormalities in dogs. If ingested, dogs can experience gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea; neurological symptoms including hyperactivity, anxiety and even seizures; and urological symptoms such as increased water intake and urinating. So enjoy your Easter eggs but keep them out of paw’s reach!

6. Beware of Tick Infested Areas: If you are travelling to the bush, beware of ticks that can cause biliary, a deadly disease if untreated. Any animal travelling to high risk areas must be on a tick prevention programme and must undergo daily tick checks. Tick bite symptoms to watch out for in dogs include fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, pale gums and inner eyelids, vomiting and, in the case of biliary, red discoloured urine. Remember, ticks can also attach to items you bring home with you, so there is also a potential risk to pets that stayed home if you have been in an infected area.

For more information visit www.merial.co.za or call 0860 MERIAL / 0860 637 425.

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