Many pet owners would prefer to take their dog or cat with them when they go on holiday rather than putting them into kennels or leaving them with a cat sitter. However, taking Rover or Felix with you when you go on holiday requires quite a lot of preparation. VRT News’ consumer desk Win-Win has drawn up a list of the things to you need to do to ensure that you and your pet can enjoy a safe and carefree vacation.
Vet Louise Mollaert told VRT News that "You can’t just decide from one day to the next that you are going to take your dog or cat with you on holiday. Thorough preparation is required."
1. Obtain a pet passport and check your pet’s vaccinations before leaving
Before you leave for your vacation there are a number of things that need to be taken care of. If you are going to travel abroad you will need to ensure that your pet is up to date with its vaccinations. Furthermore, you must ensure that your pet has a vailid European pet passport. In the case of dogs they are required to have a pet passport even if they remain within Belgium. Pet passports for dogs are given out by the vet when they microchip them for identification. Although cats that remain in Belgium don’t have to be microchipped, they do require a pet passport if they travel outside the country with their owners.
Vet Dr Louise Mollaert explains "You can easily apply for a pet passport through a vet. It's really important that you do so. The passport contains a description of your pet and lists the information contained on its microchip. A pet passport is generally valid for life."
As long as your pet remains within Belgium, vaccinations are not mandatory. However, this is not the case if you plan to take your pet abroad. Dogs, for example, must be vaccinated against rabies if they travel outside Belgium. Certain countries, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland and Malta have specific requirements for pets that will require your attention if you plan to travel there. It is therefore a must to carefully check which vaccinations or inoculations are required for these countries.
Vaccinations should take place well ahead of travel. “The rabies vaccine only takes effect about 3 to 4 weeks after inoculation. So you really need to plan ahead. People often call the day before they go on holiday, but that really is too late.”
2. Take items that are familiar to your pet with you
It is important for your pet that you take some items with you that it is familiar with. This will make them feel at ease and give them the feeling of being in a familiar environment. "Don't start washing all your pet's sheets and pillows just before departure. Cats, for example, are very sensitive to smells. The smell that lingers in the sheets gives them a feeling of familiarity", Dr Mollaert said.
Chew toys will help your dog feel good while it is in the car “Chewing helps dogs feel comfortable and makes them less nervous.”
3. Safety first
Ensure that your pet and those that are travelling with you stay safe while en route to your holiday destination.
If you are travelling by car, make sure that the animal cannot distract the driver. “It is best to place the animal in a basket on the car seat with the seat belt around it. By doing this both the animal and the humans in the car will be safe in the event of an accident”, Dr Mollaert says.
If you wish to take your pet with you on a flight, be sure to check the conditions that apply. Specific guidelines vary from airline to airline. Not every animal can be carried as hand luggage. So, find out in advance which rules the airline you are flying with applies.
4. Take sufficient breaks
As is the case with humans it is also beneficial for animals to make a stopover when travelling long distances. “It is best to do this every two hours. This also provides ther opportunity you to give your four-legged friend something to drink or eat.”
“Think about where you stop en route. It is preferable to choose a quiet, rural location for a break rather than a busy motorway car park, as this can be crowded and dangerous for your pets. Animals can become very stressed in places like that. Therefore in the interest of your pet it is preferable to drive five minutes longer and get further away from the motorway”, Dr Mollaert told VRT News.
It is also important to be prepared for heat and warmth while you are making your journey. Dogs in particular don’t cope well with heat.
5. Take a first aid kit and medication with you
It is a good idea to bring a first aid kit with medication for your pet. “Animals too also get car sick or have diarrhoea.”
It is also useful to take the phone number of your own vet with you. “Of course, you will be able to find a vet near to where you are staying, but your own vet knows your pet and can already give preliminary medical advice.
6. Why not just leave your pet at home?
But why not consider leaving your pet at home when you go on holiday. Cats in particular are creatures of habit and really prefer to stay at home. “You need to think about whether you are really doing your pet a favour by taking it with you on holiday or whether you are only doing so for your own enjoyment,’ Dr Mollaert says.
She adds that “People are sometimes a little shy about asking friends or family to look after their cat or dog. However, many people actually enjoy having a pet to look after while a friend or relative is on holiday”. There are also online platforms where you can find someone to look after your pet.
Alternatively, you could send your pet to a pet hotel. You pay a daily rate for this. But you also need to book a pet hotel well in advance, as they are often fully booked." Please note: if your pet is going to a pet hotel, it must be vaccinated. Cats must have an FIV vaccine and dogs must have been immunised against kennel cough.