The South African summer holiday is almost upon us, which means it’s time to prepare for what you’ll be doing during December and January. If you’re putting your feet up and staying at home, your pets will love that, as it means more time to play and relax with them – they just crave your companionship! However, if you plan on going away, the pertinent question is: what are you going to do with your pets?
In this article, we discuss three options for your pets during the summer holidays:
- Travel with you (car or plane)
- Get a pet sitter
- Board your pets at a kennel
Before we dive into these options, let’s look at how to decide what to do with your pets.
Know your pet’s creature comforts
Most pets are homebodies. They thrive in familiar environments where they have a predictable routine with people they know and love. Some pets, on the other hand, are more relaxed and capable of adapting to a variety of new environments, as long as their routine is maintained. It really depends on the dog or cat’s unique personality, levels of anxiety, and previous experience.
Get to know your pet’s quirks and traits and anxiety levels when it comes to being out and about. The dog who’s truly comfortable with a change of scenery is the one who appears indifferent to it. Dogs will tell you with their body language and behaviour whether they enjoy or don’t enjoy travelling, so observe them carefully and then choose the best option for their comfort when you decide to go away on holiday.
Cats are most definitely creatures of comfort and most do not like being carted to various destinations. Small pets like guinea pigs, rats, mice and chinchillas frighten easily when their environments are changed, so it’s best to leave them with a friend or family member and not try to take them on holiday with you!
Be cognisant of your pet’s peace and comfort before deciding what to do with them during the holidays.
Taking your dog on an aeroplane
Sometimes travelling by plane is simply quicker, faster and more comfortable than travelling by car – especially if your destination is on the other side of the country. Some dogs travel well, but most dogs are not well suited to air travel. The cargo hold is uncomfortable, unfamiliar, and confusing to a dog, especially when they don’t know where you are. Dogs with travel anxiety and especially dogs with motion sickness should not be forced to travel by plane. Short-nosed or brachycephalic dogs should not travel by plane because of the risk of breathing difficulties, especially under stress. Many airlines do not allow brachycephalic breeds on board.
Each airline may have different rules for carrying pets in the cabin and the cargo hold. Make sure you know all the rules before booking your flights. Small pets may be allowed in the cabin, but only in certain classes, and they may not roam freely during the flight. There will be a weight and dimension limit on the pet carrier, so make sure you familiarise yourself with the airline regulations before trying to board your pet on the plane.
Taking your dog overseas on holiday
The comfort and risks of international holiday travel for pets should be carefully weighed up. The flight experience may be traumatic for pets, especially with a much longer duration than local travel, and it may take days for them to decompress in a new country, only to have to do it all over again on your way back home.
If you have no alternative but to travel internationally with your pets, each airline will have very specific rules and guidelines for pet travel. Please familiarise yourself with them before booking your flights. International destinations will have additional requirements from pet owners regarding your pet’s vaccinations being up to date and mandatory microchipping. Any pet medications must also be reported. Many countries have breed restrictions, so it’s crucial to do your research before making any travel plans.
Taking your dog on holiday in the car
Some dogs love the car. Some dogs love the car because you love them in it. And some dogs are highly anxious about vehicles and don’t enjoy car travel at all. Some dogs experience motion sickness as a physiological problem, which is very different from travel anxiety as a psychological problem. If you need to figure out whether your dog is afraid of the car or has motion sickness, speak to the vet to help you with a diagnosis.
Let’s say your dog is healthy and relaxed enough to travel by car and you decide to take them on holiday with you and your family.
PROS of taking your dog on holiday with you
- Your dog is with you on holiday – what’s better than that?!
- You don’t need to worry about what your dog is doing or if they are pining for you while you’re away.
- You get to maintain your dog’s routine while on holiday.
CONS of taking your dog on holiday with you
- Not all destination accommodation is pet friendly.
- Car travel in December can get uncomfortably hot for your dog. Make sure your air conditioner is working, or only travel during the cooler parts of the day. Always be aware of your dog’s comfort in the car.
- Long distance car travel may not be ideal for your dog – make sure you take frequent breaks to let them out to stretch their legs, pee and sniff around. Have fresh water for them to drink at each stop.
- There is always the risk of a car accident and pets getting injured or lost in the process.
Tips for having your dog on holiday with you
Before you leave to go on holiday, take your dog for a check-up at the vet. If they need any tick and flea treatment, dewormer or vaccines before you go, now would be a good time to get these preventative treatments done. Also make sure your dog is microchipped and check that your details on the database are up to date.
Find out which veterinary clinic is nearest to your destination and keep their number handy in case of emergency while you’re on holiday.
Make a checklist of all of your dog’s food, toys, bedding and grooming items to take with you on holiday so you’re not caught without their essentials while you’re away.
Even pet-friendly accommodation will have regulations about what your pet may or may not do. Be sure to familiarise yourself with the rules and to respect the owners’ wishes; cleaning up after your dog and ensuring they are well-behaved while staying on someone else’s property. Never leave your dog alone in an unfamiliar environment.
Familiarise yourself with the pet bylaws in the area you are holidaying in. Most residential, public and beach areas only allow for leashed dog walks. Be sure to have a roll of dog poop bags with you and pick up after your dog while you’re out in public.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR – not even for a short while to simply ‘nip to the shops’. Always have fresh, cool water available for your dog to drink when you make stops.
Car seats, car seat hammocks, and protective and dirt-proof covers are designed specifically for protecting your vehicle (and your dog) while you transport your pets. Any one of these is a fantastic investment to make your and your dog’s travel a lot more comfortable.
Leaving your pets at home with a pet sitter
If the circumstances around your summer holiday prohibit you from taking your pets with you, the next best thing is to give your pets the comfort of home. Ask a family member or friend to house-sit for you while you’re away. Your pets may be anxious that you’re away, but if their routine is maintained and they are looked after by someone they already know, they may likely feel some semblance of normalcy during your absence.
If an acquaintance is not available to pet sit for you, there are fortunately many professional pet sitters who take care of others’ pets during the holiday season. Don’t hire a pet sitter the day before you go on holiday. Arrange with them to come in a week or two before your departure, to learn your pets’ routines and to establish a relationship between pet sitter and pets.
PROS of hiring a pet sitter to look after your pets
- Your pets get to stay in their familiar home environment while you are on holiday.
- Pet sitters offer the kind of personal one-on-one attention that your pets might not get from a boarding facility.
- Your pets’ routine can be maintained (which will reduce their anxiety) while you’re not at home.
- Peace of mind that your home and your pets are safe during the holidays.
CONS of hiring a pet sitter to look after your pets
- It can be expensive if you’re away for a long period of time.
- Your pets will have company, but they will miss you.
- There are risks with an unfamiliar person having entry to your home (i.e. they may be a target for opportunistic crime).
Tips for having a pet sitter
Make sure the pet sitter is referred by someone you know, or contact the references the sitter provides to learn more about the person you are entrusting your pets with. Someone reliable, trustworthy and professional will be proud of their business and will show a true affinity and love for animals.
Be sure to confirm every detail of the arrangements with the pet sitter – will they be live-in or will they stop by three times a day? This can alter the cost of the service considerably.
Make sure you leave enough food, medication, treats and other consumables for your pets for the duration of your time away, including a bit extra. Let your pets’ veterinarian know that you are leaving your pets with a sitter, and give the pet sitter all of your vet’s contact information in case of emergency.
Leave comprehensive and clear written instructions for the pet sitter about your pets’ routines, including feeding, grooming, walking, playing, sleeping arrangements, etc. If there are any special instructions regarding pets’ collars, leashes and harnesses, or a trick you use to brush your pet’s teeth, be sure to communicate everything to the pet sitter.
Check with the pet sitter what they would do if your pet/s escaped or went missing while in the sitter’s care. Prepare for any eventuality with them.
Leave an item or two of your worn clothing to help your pet ‘experience’ you even if you’re not at home. It will bring them comfort and reduce their anxiety about your absence.
Boarding your pets while you’re on holiday
Boarding or kennelling your pets is another option for pet owners who cannot take their pets with them or get a pet sitter. There are plenty of cattery and kennel facilities designed to safely house and keep pets occupied and entertained while owners are away, especially over the December holidays when there is a great demand for these services.
PROS of boarding/kennelling your pets
- Your pets will be in a pet-friendly and safe environment while you’re away on holiday, with professionals whose job it is to look after pets.
- Generally not as expensive as hiring a pet-sitter (this is hugely dependent on the facility).
- Some boarding facilities offer open access to a yard all day with other dogs, while only being kennelled to sleep, so the experience will be very sociable for your dog/s.
- Pet hotels offer full-service boarding, grooming, and all-round pampering for pets during their stay (although this kind of luxury treatment comes with a higher price tag).
CONS of boarding/kennelling your pets
- Your pets may be stressed out by a new, unfamiliar environment, especially if you’re not there.
- If your pets have a fixed routine at home, any change in this routine may make them anxious (it all depends on the pet – if they are confident and happy-go-lucky, this may not be the case).
- Your pets may not get full-time, one-on-one attention.
- If your pets do not get along with other animals, a boarding facility or cattery may be uncomfortable for them.
- Depending on the facility, your pets may spend most of their time in a kennel instead of being able to wander around.
Tips for boarding your pets
Look at reviews and referrals on the kennel or boarder’s Google listing, social media pages and website. However, don’t rely on pictures and information from the internet – go to the facility when you are investigating your options for boarding, to see what accommodations are available and how they treat the animals in their care. Different types of boarders and kennels will offer different boarding experiences (some free-range, some kennelled); so make sure the one you choose is the right fit for your pets’ needs and personality.
Your pets’ vaccinations, dewormer, and parasite control medication will need to be up to date, especially their shots for kennel cough, to ensure they don’t contract any infections while in close confines with other dogs. They will need to have their vaccination done at least two weeks before going to a boarder.
Open-access boarding facilities (where dogs have free-range access to a larger property during their stay, and are not caged all day) require that all boarding pets are sterilised.
Please do not leave your dog with a boarding or kennelling facility if they have separation anxiety. This is extremely traumatic for them. It will be best to work with a behaviourist to resolve the separation anxiety before placing any more stress on your furry friend by leaving them in an unfamiliar place without you.
Many catteries and kennels are booked up way in advance, as there is great demand for these types of facilities at the end of the year. Be sure to book a few months ahead to avoid creating an emergency situation, but also make sure that the kennel or cattery is not overcrowded.
Some boarders will offer photographic or video evidence of your pet’s comfort and wellbeing during their stay. You are permitted to request this service to check on your pet.
Conclusion
Whether your pets will ‘stay’ or ‘come’ with you on holiday this year, their health and wellbeing is of utmost importance. Know your pets and what they will or won’t enjoy or tolerate, and make your decision to take them with you on holiday or leave them at home (with a sitter or a boarder) based on a balanced view. It may involve a compromise that takes into consideration your comfort, their comfort, personalities and what each situation allows. Please be safe and stay healthy and relaxed this holiday!
