Pet Travel, Holidays and Hot Weather

There are many ways for pets to travel with their owners these days, but left to their own devices they are likely to find ingenious methods of their own! 

Deciding what to do with your best friend while you go off on holiday is a dilemma most pet owners face at some point.  Is it possible to take your pet along?  Would a friend or relative take over their care in your absence?  Or is it off to the kennel or cattery for them?  It’s enough to make anyone hot under the collar.

One option is to find a reliable pet-sitting service close to you, where a caring person visits your pet in your own home, thereby causing minimal disruption and distress.  Services are normally available on a per visit or live-in basis.

Short-snouted dog breeds, such as pugs, English bulldogs, etc. do not fare well when being transported by air in the cargo hold, especially during hot weather. These breeds have trouble breathing and cooling themselves.  Some airlines allow pets to be carried in the passenger cabin as long as kept in a carrier so check ahead and do an internet search or call to find out your airline’s Pet Policy.  

Heatstroke is a danger for animals during hot weather, especially for dogs.  During summer we hear horror stories about tragic deaths of dogs that are left too long in hot cars.  Even on cloudy days a car can heat up to dangerous levels within minutes.  Some breeds are more prone to heatstroke than others.  Dogs with short snouts, long-haired breeds, overweight dogs or those with a lot of muscle mass are particualarly susceptible, as are those that are very young or old, and dogs that are sick or on medication.

Heatstroke symptoms include heavy panting, rapid pulse, excess salivation, red tongue and/or gums, tiredness, vomiting, diarrhoea, reluctance to get up and/or walk, or in extreme cases loss of consciousness.  Be prepared with some doggy First Aid so you can help your best friend in an emergency.  Ensure your pet has access to water and shade, and if it’s a long-haired breed consider a trim. 

It’s a good idea to have your pet micro-chipped – but remember to update it with any changes to your address or phone number!  Consider registering your pet’s details on a national database, which could then be updated with your temporary holiday addresses.

No matter how much your dog may love the water always keep an eye on them.  Whether you are near the sea, a river, or a lake – it is not unknown for dogs to get into difficulties.

There are plenty of pet-friendly hotels to be found online or through directories and guidebooks. When booking though, do check if there are any restrictions on the size, weight, or breed of dog. 

If you are unsure about any aspect of pet travel, check online or through your vet.  A good place to start is the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website, where you can also find details on the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) for information regarding moving animals into and out of Europe and quarantine rules. Click here.  Other excellent resources include the RSPCA and various pet charities.

Many of our Travel Insurance policies include cover in the event that you are delayed for more than 12 hours on your final inbound flight, sea, or rail trip – which means you are covered for additional kennel or cattery costs.  See the policy for terms and conditions, or give us a call.

That’s about all the poop we have room for at the moment!