Hill’s Pet Nutrition and consultant vet Alison Jones have essential travel advice for pets at home and abroad

Increasingly, pet owners are choosing to enjoy their leisure time with their pets. In fact, since the government introduced its Pet Passport Scheme over 140,000 pets have been overseas with a Pet Passport*. There are also now increasing opportunities to take your pet on holiday with you in the UK with many holiday resorts and attractions now welcoming animals.

Travelling with your pet does require careful planning however, so Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Alison Jones have prepared the following tips and advice to ensure that whether your pet is joining you for a family day-out or a summer holiday abroad, you will both have a comfortable and stress-free journey:

Your destination
Prior to making any travel arrangements, the following points needs to be considered:

* Quarantine regulations can make it can difficult to take your pet to exotic destinations. However, travelling to Europe is much easier since the introduction of ‘Pet Passports’ - although you will need to prepare eight months in advance to obtain valid documentation. For information, visit the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk or contact your vet.
* Check the pet entry regulations for your destination. Remember things do change so make sure your information is up to date.
* Consult your vet about your pet’s fitness to travel - he or she may also advise you on any preventative treatments required for that destination.
* Contact the local tourist board at your destination to find out which hotels, cottages, campsites and attractions welcome animals.
* Prior to booking accommodation, get hold of a copy of ‘Pets Welcome! 2005’, a useful guide to holiday accommodation in the UK that welcomes pets. It is also worth looking at the website www.petplanet.co.uk which provides useful advice on how to find a vet whilst abroad and a list of pet-friendly places to stay in Europe.

 

Travelling by air
Before you consider travelling with your much-loved pet by air and to ensure that your pet doesn’t suffer needless distress during a flight it is worth considering the following:

* Only cats and dogs small enough to be kept in a carrier that will fit under a seat may be allowed into the cabin, larger pets have to travel as checked baggage or cargo.
* Make your reservation well in advance as the number of animals travelling on a flight is strictly limited.
* When choosing a travel crate, ensure that your pet can stand, sit, turn around and lie comfortably. Ensure the container has cross ventilation and a leak proof bottom with an absorbent layer.
* Familiarise your pet with the travel container in advance to minimise the distress caused by being confined. You may find the use of special feline pheromone sprays very useful to calm your cat during travel.
* Ensure that you have tags for your pet and travel crate, including your name, home address and phone number.
* Ensure that your pet has had enough exercise prior to its confinement.
* Feed your pet no less than five or six hours before flight time. Give the pet water before the flight and administer any medications required.
* Never sedate your pet for a flight as high altitudes and sedative medications can be a dangerous combination.
* Never use a muzzle on your pet as this can be dangerous during travel.
* Keep your pet on its leash and attach it firmly to outside of container.

 

Travelling by car
* Smaller dogs and cats should be kept in a secure, familiar container to help them feel safe and prevent injury in an accident.
* Ensure the container will not move around, especially if you have to brake suddenly. Again feline pheromone sprays can reduce anxiety in cats.
* Pet seatbelts and harnesses are available from most pet outlets, and you can get one to fit your particular pet.
* Plan regular stops to give your pet water and allow dogs a short run around.
* Try to avoid situations where your pet is kept in a vehicle without you for long periods of time. Don’t leave animals in cars in hot weather as the temperature can quickly reach dangerous levels.

Travelling by boat
* Ferry companies require that, if travelling by car, your pet must stay in the vehicle. Leave a window open for ventilation.
* For journeys of less than two hours you should not need to go back to the car. On longer ferry journeys, ask permission to check on your pet at two-hourly intervals to give water and food if necessary. Ferry staff patrolling the car deck should keep an eye on any pets travelling in vehicles.
* If you go on as a foot passenger you can take your pet with you, however some ferry companies may ask you to confine your pet in an appropriate carrier - always check first.

 

What to pack:
* Supply of your pets regular food
* Can opener
* Food and water dishes
* Blanket
* Favourite toy
* A few treats
* A mop-up towel or newspapers
* Scooper and plastic bags to clean up after your pet

Consultant Vet Alison Jones says: “Any trip that you take with your cat or dog needs to be carefully planned well in advance as animals can potentially be subjected to stressful circumstances which could affect their mental or physical health. If your pets are content this will benefit all the family and will make for a relaxed and enjoyable trip.”

Hill’s European PR Manager Helen Goldberg says: “It is always advisable to think about the welfare of your pet and whether it will benefit from travelling with you. Then, by taking some simple measures, you can ensure your pet travels in safety and comfort and when you arrive at your destination you can enjoy your experience all the more for the presence of your furry friend!”