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Millions of Americans will be traveling over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday. Some of you will be having your companion staying with us at Chateau Chattahoochee. Here we will be spoiling your pet as if they were one of our own pets home for the holidays. However, many of you will traveling with you pet. Chattahoochee Animal Clinic offers tips on traveling with your pet, to make things easier on you, and your pet.

Tips:

• Check all airline requirements before boarding a plane. See if your pet can travel in a carrier that can be kept under a seat in the cabin or if your pet must travel by freight. Here is a link to the Atlanta Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson:

 http://www.atlanta-airport.com/Passenger/CustomerService/Default.aspx  

Also, there are pet relief areas at the airport. Here is a good link for these areas in Atlanta.

http://www.dogjaunt.com/posts/readers-report-pet-relief-area-at-atlantas-hartsfield-jackson-atlanta-international-airport-atl/

• Familiarize your pet with its carrier. Pets like familiarity. If you plan on keeping your pet inside a carrier while traveling, allow your pet to get used to the environment by placing him or her in the carrier for a few minutes each day. Gradually lengthen the time until your pet seems at ease with being confined in this space.

• Avoid sneaking your pet on the plane. Although it may seem like a good idea if your pet is small enough to fit in a carrier beneath your seat, do not sneak animals of any size on a plane. There will most likely be repercussions for doing so. 

• Feed your pet no less than five or six hours before flight time. Give your pet a drink of water no less than two hours before your flight. It is very easy for your dog or cat to become sick in transition. If you are concerned, give us a call at Chattahoochee Animal Clinic and we can provide you a special diet designed to be very gentle on the stomach during stressful times. We use the same diet for all of our boarding pets that do not come with their own food.

• Find a hotel that will allow your pet to spend the night. Most pet-friendly hotels will not allow pets to be left in the room alone, so also consider taking your dog to a nearby doggie day care facility if you have plans during the day. It will cost less than paying for damage incurred by leaving a dog alone in a hotel room. 

• Make your pet feel at home. Use familiar dishes, blankets, toys and other items from your home to create a sense of comfort for your pet.

Don't forget to stop by the clinic and get a copy of vaccine records and recent bloodwork. This can prove to be helpful if you have to go to the veterinarian while away on your trip.

Enjoy the Holidays!!

Dr. Smith and Staff