Hey Southwinds Stockbridge Apartments residents! Are you doing any traveling this winter? Are you taking your furry family members with you? I know that many of you couldn’t bear to part with your pets for a second, and pet hotels just seem so impersonal around the holidays, so I’m sure you’ll want them right by your side. Don’t think it’s all tea and roses however; you can’t just toss your pet in the car, strap them in, and expect them to be good for however many hours it’ll take to get to your destination. Follow these 5 tips for winter traveling with your pet, and you’ll be fine:

1. 

   Keep your pet safe during winter travels!

   Use a crate for your pet’s safety in the car or truck bed. Thay way, he can’t make an escape or drive you or your family nuts running back and forth on the car seat. If your pet is anything like my dog, trees moving past at 40 mph truly fascinates her…

2. Be prepared for the cold. It’s a good idea to bring towels in addition to your pets other necessities (food and water dishes, doggie waste bags, leash, and a collar with current tags), in order to dry off your pet after a romp in snowy or icy areas. A pet sweater would be nice too, for smaller and short haired dogs. If you’re lucky enough to get a sweater on a cat, kudos to you!
3. Don’t leave your pet alone in your truck or car. It may seem like a good idea to leave your pet in the car with the heat on, but they’re as susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning as humans are. It’s also not a good idea to leave your pet in the car with the engine off, as it gets cold very quickly. Be sure to bring a spare leash to transport your dog to and from  your car, and a carrier for your cat.
4. Be sure to schedule breaks! This is different if you’re flying with your pet, but if you’re driving, make sure to take breaks periodically in order to give your pet time to stretch, walk, and you-know-what. The same goes for you. Be sure to always keep your dog on a leash when out of the car; they can easily run off and get into mischief if not kept an eye on.
5. Have fun and be safe!

These tips are sure to get you well on your way to a fun and happy trip with your furry friends. Do you have any tips to add?

Happy travels!

photo credit: jimw