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all else – provide many years of enjoyment
and satisfaction. Before your new kitchen is
installed, visit a Blum showroom or talk to your
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blum.comPhotograph from Alamy.
Pets
CAR TREK
Taking your dog on holidays can double the fun, but
you need to prep and plan to ensure that everyone
will be a happy traveller, writes Roger Crosthwaite.H
oliday time is here. The car’s
packed, the route is planned and
the pet-friendly accommodation
has been booked, but what other special
preparations have to be made for taking
the family dog along on your vacation?
Nobody wants drama on holidays, so
embarking on a long car journey with
your four-legged friend may require
some serious forethought.
Some dogs can’t wait to jump in and
get going, but for others it can be a bit
traumatic. Pre-trip acclimatising may be
necessary for novice canine travellers.
“If your dog hasn’t travelled in the car
before, it’s best to test them out with
some short journeys first,” says Liisa
Ahlstrom, technical services veterinarian
at Bayer. “Even letting them start by
sitting in a stationary car, then praising
them and giving them a little treat, will
help get them used to it.”
Once a dog has become accustomed
to the car, you need to make sure they’ll
be just as safe as the human passengers.
A harness that wraps around your dog’s
chest and clips onto the rear seatbelt, to
prevent them sliding off in a sudden
stop, is an excellent idea.
Other handy products include
expandable lattice screens that can
be fitted into an open window and let
plenty of fresh air in while still preventing
an excitable pooch from trying to jump
out the window; barriers that fit between
the front seats to stop dogs trying to
climb through from the rear; andspill-proof water bowls so they can keep
themselves hydrated between stops.
They’re all available from online retailer
DogCulture (dogculture.com.au), which
specialises in travel gear for canines.
Once you hit the road, your dog will
need breaks in the journey at least as
often as you do.
“You need to stop at least every 90
minutes to two hours to let them out for
water, food, a toilet break and a quick
walk around,” says Ahlstrom. “More
frequently if it’s an especially hot day.”
Even if your dog doesn’t normally
wear a flea and tick collar, travelling
to unfamiliar territory where ticks may
potentially be encountered make these
a must-have holiday accessory. Bayer’s
Seresto collars offer up to four months’
protection from ticks, and cancel out the
need for orally administered drops.
“With the collars, the active ingredient
is disseminated through the oils in their
fur and skin, so they’re not getting drugs
into their bloodstream,” says Ahlstrom.
“The collars only take a short while
to begin providing protection, so I’d
recommend you get the collar on them
two days before you leave.
“Another good idea is to look up a
number for a vet in the area you’ll be
visiting, just in case there’s an emergency.
Also, make sure that you have your
phone details up to date and matching
those on your dog’s microchip, so
you can be contacted on your mobile
if they go missing.” #