It’s that time of year when everyone is counting down to the December holidays. Whether you’re planning on staying at home or going away, you will need to factor in what happens to your pets. Naturally, your pets will want to spend as much time with you as possible, so if you’re staying in this Christmas and New Year, they will be ecstatic. If you’re planning on going away, you can either take your pets with you, hire a pet sitter to look after your pets and home, or kennel your pets.
In this article, we’ll cover the pros and cons of all three scenarios, giving you some perspective on what may be best for your pets and for you. The best place to start, however, is with identifying your pet’s personality and comfort levels – since what you do with them during the holidays needs to be best for them as well as what’s best for you.
What is your pet comfortable with?
Most pets do best when they are in the comfort of their own home. The environment is familiar and predictable and they love it there simply because it’s where you are. Some pets are adventurous and adaptable, and will go wherever you go. It’s these types of pets that can’t wait to jump into the car with you – as long as they can see you and be around you, they will follow you to the ends of the Earth. Each dog or cat’s approach to staying at home or going along with you will depend wholly on their personality and how they cope with new environments. Some pets’ anxiety is easily triggered, while others are more happy-go-lucky.
It is very important to know your pet’s likes and dislikes, and what makes them calm or anxious. If you’re unsure of whether they travel well, now is not the time to plan a 12-hour road trip. First get your dog or cat into the car to determine whether they are comfortable in motion. Read their body language – if they are comfortable, they will show it by appearing indifferent and looking to you for cues from time to time. Your dog may get excited by other cars whizzing by, or they may move around a lot, trying to ‘pace’ inside the car. Take them on short car trips and observe their behaviour. Their body language is the best indicator of whether they are comfortable or not on a car trip. Use this information to determine whether it’s a good idea to take your pet on holiday with you.
Some cats travel well, but most prefer the comfort of their familiar environment. Similarly, small pets like guinea pigs, small rodents and chinchillas are prey animals and frighten easily when they don’t have control over their environment. Car travel would not be pleasant for them. If you’re going away, leave these small pets with a friend or family member, or have someone come and pet sit for you.
Dogs on planes
Frequent flyers will know that travelling by plane is a safe and fast way of getting to your destination. Some dogs are familiar with flying, but it is hardly ever a comfortable experience for them. The cargo hold is loud, lonely and overwhelming – primarily because your dog is in an unfamiliar place and doesn’t know where you are. Even flying in the cabin (which is reserved for small dogs and is not guaranteed by every carrier) can be an anxious experience for your furry friend. The dogs who should not travel by plane under any circumstances are brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs, those with travel anxiety, and especially those with motion sickness. Many airlines will not accept the risk of allowing a brachy breed onboard, as they can easily succumb to breathing difficulties when they are stressed.
Every airline has their own set of rules and regulations regarding pet travel – never assume your dog will be allowed to travel in the cabin, and be sure to read all the rules before booking your flight. If an airline does allow small pets in the cabin, don’t assume they will be allowed to roam freely, and make sure you adhere to their strict policy on size limits for your pet carrier or crate.
Dogs and international flights
There are many hoops to jump through before you can cross international borders with your pets. Over and above the vet visits, vaccinations and travel specifications, long-haul flights are just not comfortable or easy for animals. It’s also not only the duration of travel, but the decompression period you need to take into consideration as well. Then, just as your dog may be comfortable and free from their anxiety, they need to repeat the whole experience when you fly them home again.
Make your pet’s comfort and wellbeing the priority, and if you can leave them at home with a sitter or a familiar friend or family member, rather do that than try to fit your home-body pet in with your jet-setting lifestyle.
Car travel with your dog on holiday
Many dogs have learnt that a car ride = a fun destination and they have no problem hopping into the back seat to join you on an adventure. Some dogs will experience motion sickness in a car – a physiological problem that may associate the car with a negative experience, and so they won’t want to get into a vehicle. And some dogs have travel anxiety, where they refuse to get into the car or, if you put them into the car, they may have a panic attack and just not enjoy travelling at all. There is a very distinct difference in diagnosis and treatment between motion sickness and travel anxiety. Ask the vet to help you identify whether your pet’s aversion to the car is physical or psychological.
If your dog enjoys car travel and you want to take them on holiday with you, consider these pros and cons:
PROS of taking your dog on holiday with you
- A holiday with your dog by your side – now this is true family time!
- When your dog is with you on holiday, they won’t be at home pining for you.
- You can maintain your dog’s daily routine on your holiday, which will help to keep things familiar and relaxed.
CONS of taking your dog on holiday with you
- It’s more difficult to find pet-friendly accommodation.
- Travelling in the car in December is a hot and humid experience, especially for a dog. Be sure to top up your car’s air conditioner and keep it going for the whole car trip. Try to only travel during the cooler parts of the day. Keep an eye on your dog’s comfort in the car.
- Travelling long distance can be uncomfortable for your dog – especially if they are usually quite active during the day. Make frequent stops to give your dog a pee break and stretch their legs. Always have cool, fresh water available for them to drink at each break.
- Car accidents are risky to pets in cars, in which they can get injured or they may escape during the incident.
Tips for going away on holiday with your dog
- If you want to take your dog on holiday with you, it’s the ideal time to take them for a check-up at the vet. Top up their tick and flea treatment – especially going into the height of summer, when parasites are most active – deworm them, and make sure their vaccination card is up to date.
- If your dog is not yet microchipped, now is the perfect time to get this very simple procedure done. If your dog goes missing (especially in an unfamiliar environment), it could save you months of searching and grief. If your dog is microchipped, check that your details are up to date with the microchip service provider.
- Make a note of the vet clinic that is nearest to your accommodation and keep their phone number (and emergency number) handy in case of an emergency on your holiday.
- Create a checklist of all your dog’s necessities that need to be packed to go on holiday with you. Dog food, bed and blanket, grooming tools, treats, toys, collar and leash, etc. Making a checklist will ensure you don’t forget any of the essentials on the day you leave to go away.
- There will be guidelines at your pet-friendly accommodation – please be responsible, adhere to the rules, and respect the property owner’s boundaries. Clean up after your dog. Don’t let them jump on the furniture, chase the local wildlife, or roam around. Do not leave your dog on their own at the property, as they may try to escape to come and find you.
- Familiarise yourself with the municipal bylaws at your holiday destination and obey them. Walk your dog on a leash (there are no off-leash public areas in South Africa – designated dog parks aside), keep a roll of dog poop bags handy and pick up after your dog, and make sure your dog does not harass other dogs, people or wildlife.
- Please never leave your dog in the car – not even with the windows open; not ‘just for a short while’, not while you just step into the shops. The car’s interior heats up very quickly, especially in December’s punishing temperatures. Never underestimate the short amount of time it can take to become dangerously hot inside your car and for your dog to succumb to the heat.
- Keep control of your dog and protect your car’s interior with a car seat, car seat hammock, or protective, dirt-proof car seat cover. They can limit your dog’s ability to move freely inside your car – making it safer, cleaner and more comfortable for both you and your dog.
Getting a pet sitter for your homebody pets
Holiday getaways can be prohibitive to pet owners, especially if you’re staying in a hotel or in accommodation that doesn’t allow pets. This doesn’t mean you should stay at home during the holidays. Without you at home, the next best thing you can do for your pets is to hire a pet sitter to be at home with them while you’re away. Ask a friend or family member to house sit and pet sit for you (with compensation, of course). Even though you’re not there, your pets will feel more at ease with someone familiar to maintain their routine, and they’ll be happy to enjoy playtime, grooming, eating and sleeping in their own home.
In the absence of a friend or family member to look after your pets, you can hire a reputable and professional pet sitter for the duration of your holiday. This needs to be arranged a few weeks or months before you go away, to give your pets and the sitter time to get to know each other, and for the sitter to learn your pets’ routine. Good rapport will ensure your pets are relaxed with the sitter and it should give you more peace of mind that your home and animals will be safe with this person.
PROS of hiring a pet sitter to look after your pets
- Your pets can stay in a home environment that is comfortable and familiar to them.
- Your pets get one-on-one attention from the pet sitter, which is not always available at a kennelling facility.
- Your pets get to maintain their home routine, which will put them at ease even if you’re not there.
- Whether the pet sitter is living in or comes in two or three times a day, this adds an additional layer of security for your home and pets.
CONS of hiring a pet sitter to look after your pets
- If you’re going to be away for two or three weeks, hiring a professional pet sitter can be expensive.
- The pet sitter provides company, but they are not you (your pets will miss you).
- The additional security of having someone present while you’re not at home also creates a potential risk – they may misplace your house keys or be a target for opportunistic crime. These risks need to be mitigated with detailed instructions as well as home contents insurance.
Tips for hiring a pet sitter
- Get a referral for a pet sitter from someone you know. Do the necessary checks like contacting references that are provided and learning as much as you can about the pet sitter. A professional pet sitter displays trustworthiness, and pride in their business. Their love for animals will show in the way they put your pets’ wellbeing first. They will also be very responsive with digital communication.
- Discuss and confirm every aspect of the pet sitter’s duties. Do not assume they will be at your home 100% of the time. The specific arrangements you have with the pet sitter can greatly influence the cost of their service, so make sure you are both on the same page.
- Plan ahead: leave enough pet food, treats, medication and other consumables to cover the whole duration of the time you are away – plus a bit extra.
- Inform the vet of your plans to go away and that you are hiring a pet sitter to look after your pets. Give the sitter all of the vet’s contact information, should they need to bring any of your pets in for unexpected treatment.
- Write up/Print out a set of clear instructions regarding your pets’ daily routines. These instructions must incorporate the time/s your pets are fed and with what amounts; when they are groomed and have their teeth brushed; when is the best time and distance to walk them; what games to play with them. Include any and all information about what is and is not allowed so that your pets don’t learn any new bad habits while you’re away.
- Ask the pet sitter what they would do in a pet emergency – if any of your pets went missing while you’re away. Hypothetical scenarios allow you to prepare for any eventualities while also ensuring your pet sitter is equipped to deal with an emergency.
- Before you leave, give your pets each an item of your worn clothing or used linen. Your scent on these items will help to reduce your pets’ anxiety and offer them familiar comfort in your absence.
Booking your pets into kennels or a pet hotel
If you cannot take your pets on holiday with you and there are no available sitters, booking your pets into a kennelling or boarding facility is the next best option to keep your pets safe and cared for while you’re away. Modern cattery and kennel staff are cognisant of pets’ need for exercise and stimulation, and many boarding facilities will even be amenable to sending you visual evidence of your pets having a ball!
PROS of booking your pets into a cattery/kennel
- These boarding facilities offer a safe and pet-friendly environment for your pets, run by professionals who are passionate about animals.
- In general, boarding facilities are not as expensive as hiring an individual pet sitter to come to your house. However, pricing is determined by the level of care offered by each facility, so it’s important to do your homework.
- Each boarding facility will be different – some allow sociable dogs access to a huge enclosed yard, allowing supervised socialisation for most of the day.
- Pet hotels offer a niche kind of boarding, providing a luxury service that includes grooming and pampering and individualised care for pets for the duration of their stay (at a higher price tag than regular boarding).
CONS of booking your pets into a cattery/kennel
- The new, unfamiliar environment, coupled with your absence, can be very stressful to your pets.
- If your pets are dependent on their daily routine at home, any changes to this routine can create anxiety for them (this is hugely dependent on each pet – as some are more relaxed than others).
- Depending on the facility and the available staff, your pets might not get full-time, one-on-one attention and may end up kennelled for the majority of the day.
- If your pets are not used to other animals, they may be uncomfortable or stressed at a boarding facility.
- There is a risk of your pets contracting a communicable disease from a high-density facility. Always ask about the kennels’ policy on vaccinations and how they mitigate these risks.
Tips for boarding your pets
- Read every review and recommendation on the boarding facilities’ social media pages and Google listings. Get an idea of the facility by visiting their website, but don’t rely solely on online information to make your decision – go there and see the kennels or cattery in person. Look at the condition of the animals currently boarding and get an overall feeling of the level of care provided.
- Different catteries, kennels and boarding facilities will offer varying boarding experiences to their booked animals. It is important to match your pets with the cattery or kennel that will best meet their needs. Some facilities have entry requirements (such as vaccination, microchipping, sterilisation and deworming), and your pets may be refused entry if they don’t meet those requirements.
- Most kennels will require that all your pets’ preventative treatments are up to date – vaccination, parasite control and dewormer. Of particular importance is that their vaccine booster for kennel cough must have been given in the last six- to 12-month period before they are kennelled. If your dog is due for a booster, it needs to be done at least two weeks before boarding, to give their immune system time to build up antibodies. Please consult the vet to confirm your dog’s vaccination status.
- Where ‘free-range’ boarding facilities offer dogs access to a larger property for socialisation and stimulation, they will require that all admitted dogs are sterilised to prevent aggression (and obviously unwanted pregnancies). Do not apply for boarding if you cannot prove that your dog has been sterilised.
- If your dog has separation anxiety, please do not try to board them without first addressing the issue with a behaviourist or the vet. The change in their routine, lots of other pets, and lots of noise can be very triggering and extremely traumatic for your pet if they are prone to separation anxiety. Private boarders offer in-home boarding, which may be a better option for your anxious dog.
- Catteries and kennels are usually booked up quite far in advance, so try to make your booking as soon as possible if you are aiming for the December holidays. Be very careful of booking at kennels that may be overcrowded.
- Always ask for photographic evidence of your pet’s wellbeing and enjoyment. You can be sure that your pet will miss you when they are away from you, but it can give you great peace of mind to receive photos and/or video material of your happy pets while they are boarding.
Conclusion
Whether you’re getting a pet sitter, staying in with your pets, taking your pets on holiday with you, or boarding them for the duration that you’re away, it’s important to keep their wellbeing in mind when making your plans. Take their personality and behaviour quirks into consideration. If you need any input from the vet, don’t hesitate to ask – it’s all about making sure you have a great holiday and your pets do too!