Why take our furry friends for the ride?
More and more our pets have become part of the family. There can be great anxiety involved with leaving them behind while we go on an extended vacation. It’s not an exaggeration to say leaving our pets out of the vacation is almost like leaving one of the kids behind. Pets are part of the atmosphere at home, so when you take home on the road, it just makes sense to bring the “whole” family along.
There are a few practical reasons for including our pets in the family vacation.
- #1, and probably the most obvious is the expense of an extended stay at a boarding kennel.
- And speaking of anxiety, how would you like to be yanked out of your nice comfy home and tossed into a commune with a bunch of strangers.
- If there are children involved, pets on vacation can be a welcome diversion and a great way to keep them busy between activities.
So now we have established the “Why”, in the next section we will explore the “How”.
Plan Ahead, Make it Fun
Taking your pet along on vacation adds a bit more work and planning to the process but the rewards are well worth it in the end. This can be just as exciting for them as it is for you. Pets, and cats in particular, are instinctively curious. There is nothing they would love more than to get out, into different surroundings, with interesting sites and stimulating new smells.
It goes without saying, when it comes to vacationing with our furry family members, the amount of planning you do has a direct relation to how much fun you and your pets will have. Now, I’m not saying you need to plan your vacation around your pets needs, but there are a few simple things you can do to make it more enjoyable for everyone!
- Do your research. There are tons of resources on the internet to help in planning for a trip with your pet. A simple Google search for “Traveling with your pet” will result in all sorts of great tips and tricks.
- Bring a couple of your pets’ favorite toys. They won’t take up much space and will make them feel a little more comfortable in their home away from home.
- Check for pet friendly hotels. Many of the major chains are now offering accommodations for families traveling with pets.
- The actual traveling (riding in the car or SUV) can be a little stressful for some animals. If you plan on using a cat carrier or cat condo , for example, give them some time prior to the trip to get used to it so the experience won’t be so overwhelming, especially if you’re buying a new one just for the trip.
- If you’re planning to spend some time in one location, check the internet for pet parks in the area.
Just a few things you can do to make your pet friendly vacation a success. As stated above, there are multiple resources and sites on the internet dedicated to making the trip with your pet enjoyable, and more importantly, fun for all involved.
Make it happen!
We all love our pets, but there’s always that question when it comes time to go away, “what are we going to do with them”? Some people actually don’t go on vacation just for that reason. They don’t want to board them and feel guilty leaving them with strangers. Thankfully, there are alternatives. You can have your cake and eat it too, go on vacation and take your pets too. With some minimal preparation, you’ll find it simple and rewarding. So, what are you waiting for? Make it happen!