Traveling With Your Pet. As a rule, dogs love going in cars, and cats don’t. If you have a dog, make sure it is on a leash when you leave your car. A cat should be kept in a pet carrier (not one that cramps its space) when going to and from a car – and perhaps in the car as well. Cats, as a rule, don’t care about looking out windows. The quick movements of other cars confuse them. They would rather sleep. If you’re transporting a dog in the back of a pickup truck, use dog restraining belts so it can’t fall out in case of a sudden stop or noise. When parked, be sure your vehicle is not in a sunny, hot place. Some people think that leaving a pet in a car with the windows down a little on a hot day is OK. It isn’t. A pet’s body temperature can rise quickly and can result in death in just a few minutes. Too many people have rushed into a store for “just a minute” and returned to find their pet dead. If it is a hot day it is best to leave your pet at home. And in car travel, use your A/C. Your vet will advise on preparing your pet for air travel. Some airlines allow a small dog or cat to come aboard and be tucked under your seat and several companies make pet travel cases. It is best to double check with your airline to be sure of their pet policies.

Kennels and Pet Sitters. Most of the time when people take a vacation or are away from home on business, they don’t take their pets. This is probably harder on a dog than a cat because they can suffer from separation anxiety and they require almost constant attention from their owners. Cats seem to do much better on their own. It is common to have a friend or relative stop by on a daily basis to feed and check on a pet but people these days are very busy as a rule and can’t spend much time doing this. Even though well intentioned, it is usually a quick in-and-out visit. It is recommended that you consider a kennel or pet sitter. A professional, bonded pet sitter will spend considerable time with your pet in the home, playing with it, brushing if necessary, changing litter boxes, walking dogs, etc. And the daily charges are reasonable. To be assured you’ve got the right pet sitter, ask for references. The other alternative is a kennel. Today’s modern kennels offer vet care, spacious enclosures, and have a qualified staff that genuinely likes pets. Kennels should be clean, should not smell, and should welcome your inspection. Again, charges are usually reasonable.