The holidays are a busy time of year for many. In addition to visiting family and friends, many people are also traveling during this season. Whether you’re going on a road trip or taking a plane to your destination, you may be wondering how to keep your pets from destroying the furniture while you’re gone. There are some simple things you can do to keep your pets happy and healthy during this season of travel.
Before You Go
Before you go, there are some things to think about. Your pet needs to be healthy, up-to-date on vaccinations, and well trained. They should also be comfortable in their environment and have a vet they trust.
During Your Absence, Crate-Train Your Pets
- Crate-train your pets in PetCareRx crates while you are away.
- Crate training is a great way to keep your pet safe and secure, but it will also give them the comfort of knowing that they have a safe place to stay when they are not getting attention from their owner.
- Crate training can help them feel less anxious about being left alone, which can lead to destructive behavior like chewing on furniture to relieve their anxiety or boredom.
Bring Them to the Vet
If you’re worried that your pet is sick, it may be a good idea to take them in for a checkup. The best way to determine whether or not your dog or cat is sick is by examining their overall health.
Again, this includes making sure they are eating and drinking normally and that they don’t seem lethargic. If they do seem lethargic, go ahead and schedule an appointment with the vet so that they can run some tests on them. Certain signs indicate an illness:
- Fever
- Inability to walk properly (stumbling)
- Loss of appetite
Ask a Friend to Check on Your Pet While You Are Gone
If you don’t want to pay for a pet sitter, ask a friend or family member if they would be willing to look after your pet during the busy season for free. This can be a great option if you do not have any other options and do not want to pay for professional services.
Give Your Pet Something That Smells Like You
There are a few different ways to keep your pet from destroying the furniture, but one of the most effective is giving them something that smells like you. Try these:
- Give them a blanket, shirt, or toy that smells like you. This can help your pets feel more secure and less likely to destroy things when they’re feeling anxious or stressed out by changes in their routine. It’s also great for helping them cope with separation anxiety.
- Give them a treat that you have eaten recently and then let it sit out for a few hours so it has time to lose its scent before giving it to your pet, this will make it seem more enticing than just handing over whatever food happens to be lying around!
- Use scented dog calming spray on furniture areas where they often get mad. It will keep them away from those locations almost instantly!
Refrain From Leaving Them at Kennels and Catteries
If you must leave your pet at a kennel or cattery, look for one that has high reviews and offers affordable rates. If you’re going to be away for longer than a week, consider taking your dog or cat on vacation with you.
If You Have a Cat, Consider Adopting Another One
Cats are social creatures and will be happier than ever with a companion. The new cat can help keep the other one company, as well as provide a distraction from furniture destruction.
Cats need to be kept busy at all times so they don’t get bored and end up chewing your furniture instead of playing with toys or laying around napping on your lap. If you work long hours, it might be hard for you to find time for both cats in between appointments and meetings with clients. However, there is no reason why one cat cannot do without human interaction during those times when their owner isn’t home.
If possible try taking turns spending quality time with each pet individually during the workday, this can improve their behavior overall since they won’t feel neglected by being separated from each other all day long!
Stay Calm and Happy When It’s Time for You to Leave Again
You can keep your pets from destroying the furniture by staying calm and happy when you leave. Your cat or dog is just following their instincts, so you mustn’t give them any reason to think that they need to do anything other than what they would normally do on a day-to-day basis.
This means leaving enough time for yourself to get ready, getting to the airport, checking in at the airport and getting through security, finding your gate, and boarding the plane before takeoff.
Keeping Your Pets Healthy During the Busy Season
If you are going to be away for a long time, make sure you have a plan for your pet. This can include having someone that will come by daily to check on them or taking them with you if possible.
If it is not possible to take your pet with you, then find a place where they can stay with their routine and familiar smells. Keeping them close by will help with the transition when they return home and can make the separation easier for everyone involved!
We hope that these tips have helped you keep your pets happy and healthy during a busy season. Your dog or cat will thank you for it, and your home will be better off too!