Vacation Tips for Pet Owners

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

As we all know, vacations are costly. If you have pets, housing your pets in pet hotels while you’re vacationing can really add up. The Mineola Patch offers different alternatives to keep your pets entertained, fed and happy while you’re away.

Nation-wide chain pet hotels are not expensive as the super luxury pet hotels but both can put a dent in your wallet. Mineola Patch interviewed Jacqui Linder who owns a dog and a few tropical fish.

Linder says the smartest and least expensive way to make sure your pets are fed while you’re on vacation is to ask trustful neighbors to help out.

There are a few tips Linder gives to make sure both your neighbor and pet are satisfied:

• It is important that you trust your neighbor not only tending to your pets but also being in your home.
• Make sure your neighbors are not allergic to your pets.
• Sometimes pets can be too difficult to care fore. More exotic animals tend to have more needs, which should be best left to a professional.
• Make sure your neighbor is well prepared and trained to take care of your pets. If your pet needs medication show your neighbor the best way to give the medicine.

Other options include keeping your pets at your local vets.

Bregman Veterinary Group provides great medical and boarding services for your pets. For more information please visit www.bregmanvetgroup.com

To read more on Linder’s tips please CLICK HERE

Things To Think About When Traveling With Your Pet

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Before you take a long trip and decide to bring your pet along with you, you should sit down and think about what you need to do to make sure that this trip is pleasant and safe for them and yourself.

First things first, make sure your pet is comfortable with traveling. Some pets cannot handle travel because of an illness, their age or temperament. If you pet is not good with travel, you should consider a reliable pet-sitter or talk to your veterinarian about boarding facilities in your area (http://goo.gl/PZciX).

You should also consider having your pet implanted with a microchip, which will improve your chances of getting your pet back if it becomes lost. The microchip must be registered with your current contact information, including a cell phone number. A tag is included when you have a microchip that has the microchip number and the cell number of the owner, so when the pet is found, people can use the tag to determine ownership of the pet.

Also, make sure your pet is allowed to stay wherever your destination may be. Some places will allow pets, while others have strict policies against pets. You may also want to bring a portable kennel if you are planning on leaving your pet unattended.

Finally, if you are taking your pet out of the country, you need a health certification. It must be signed by a veterinarian after they have been examined and found to be free of disease. Their vaccinations must be up-to-date in order for the certification to be fully complete.

If you have any other questions or concerns about traveling with your pet, feel free to reach out to us at one of the Bregman Vet Hospitals and we will assist you the best we can.

Travel Safely With Your Pets This Summer

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

The kids are just about our of school and it’s time to get the vacation lined up, the clothes and family packed up and ready to go. But what about your pets? Are they coming with you and do you know how to prepare to keep them safe on the trip?

If you are taking your pet on vacation with you, driving is the cheapest option considering the cost of plane tickets these days. Make sure you know how to drive with them in the car.

According to Inga Fricke, Director of Sheltering and Pet Care Issues at the Humane Society of the United States, you should plan ahead before taking the trip. “You need to plan ahead on two fronts,” Fricke said. “First, you need to practice with your pet. Get them ready to be in their crate or carrier ahead of time, so you don’t suddenly have them in a carrier and also moving in a car.”

You also want to be sure that your pet will stay safe in the event of an accident. A pet loose in the backseat has virtually no protection in a car crash. A sturdy crate or carrier could mean the different between life and death for an animal (http://goo.gl/D3NrP).

Another part of planning your trip with your pet is to make stops that won’t require you to leave your pet in the car. You should pack some sandwiches, drinks and snacks, and pull over at a rest area or picnic area for everyone to stretch their legs and go to the bathroom, which includes your pet. Don’t put your dog’s leash attached to your bumper because you dog could seriously injure their neck. Have the leash ready and accessible so you can hook them up and take them for a walk.

Make sure that your dog has the proper identification on them in case they get loose, and never leave them in a hot car with the windows up. The car can heat up quicker than you think, and that could cause a dangerous situation.

If you are taking a trip this summer with your pet and have additional questions, please call us at the Bregman Vet Hospitals and we can help answer any questions you may have. Have a great trip!