As is customary, many families take advantage of the year-end season to take a break and enjoy new places to relax. However, those with pets are committed to their care, and although there's growing awareness around including or accepting pets on beaches, pet-friendly hotels, and land and air transport options for our furry friends, and so on, it's not always the best choice to take them on vacation with us, since in some cases they get stressed, or there are health conditions that keep them from traveling, or we have several furry friends at home and it's impossible to bring them all, etc.
The first thing to keep in mind is that many furry friends aren't used to long trips and, above all, to changes in environment or surroundings, so any change in routine will cause our furry friends a lot of stress. That's why we often notice that many of our companions get sick during the trip or arrive back from the trip sick, since these changes cause physical and emotional intolerances that end up turning the trip into an exhausting experience for the whole family. With our furry friends in mind, at Siu we have the ideal flower essence for these circumstances — the flower blend Adaptation and Travel is ideal for furry friends who don't handle changes in their daily routine or environment well, such as taking them on vacation. For animals that get carsick or are afraid of getting in the car. Useful for pets that are anxious, restless, or nervous during travel. This formula helps prepare them for the trip and keep them calm during it.
However, on many occasions it's better not to take them with us, and so we must leave them in the care of someone we know or at a boarding facility. In these cases, we should keep the following recommendations in mind:
- Do a prior adaptation and socialization to the place where they'll be cared for, accompany them, and as much as possible make that stay a positive experience — this way our furry friends won't suffer from stress.
- For cats, the best care option is at their own home, since we should remember that territory is very important for feline well-being, as it's their safe place — if possible, ask a trusted neighbor, friend, or contact to stop by the house daily and check basic needs: water, food, and hygiene. This is the best way to care for our cats while we're traveling; otherwise they show a lot of stress and can become seriously ill.
- If you're going to leave your furry friend at a countryside boarding facility, consider the cost, the reliability of the companies or people providing the service, and the safety of the animals. Visit the place beforehand, check whether the facilities are safe and suitable to prevent escapes or accidents, and evaluate whether the staff is trained to care for your furry friend and whether they offer emergency veterinary services.
- Use the flower formula Adaptation and Travel before and during your absence, since this blend is ideal for animals that become depressed or change their behavior when their family or guardian is away for a few days. It's also the ideal flower therapy for pets sent to boarding for the first time or for long periods, since it helps them manage all the changes and reduce their resistance to them.
- If your furry friend loses their appetite in the first few days and it's emotional in origin, you can give our flower blend Appéttit, which improves motivation to eat, supporting appetite and the sensation of hunger or wanting to eat. Remember to rule out any illness with your vet.
- Whenever you travel and leave your furry friend in the care of someone you know or hire a pet-sitting service, leave all feeding and routine recommendations, note any allergies or health conditions that need to be considered, put collars with an ID tag on them, and leave the vet's contact information visible in case of an emergency.
If, on the other hand, you decide to take your pet on the trip, it's important to do a veterinary checkup before the trip, make sure their vaccines and deworming are up to date, and protect them against mosquitoes and ticks. Verify that the means of transport are appropriate for your furry friend's needs and well-being, and also confirm that pets are allowed at the place you're staying. Avoid leaving your furry friend locked in the car at the mercy of the heat, make stops from time to time so your companion can rest and hydrate, get some physical activity, and relieve themselves, bring a first-aid kit for your furry friend, and avoid self-medicating them.
Many veterinarians don't recommend taking furry companions on vacation to hot climates if it's not necessary, due to the high exposure to parasites like ticks and mosquitoes and the risk of heatstroke, which can seriously compromise your furry friend's health. Also, consider whether they'll actually enjoy the trip and whether it won't cause problems for their physical and emotional health. Remember that flower essences always support our furry companions' emotional well-being. If at any point during the vacation your furry friend suffers an extreme moment of stress, you can give the flower essence Rescue Remedy, the blend of choice for moments of fear and extreme stress. Always consult a veterinary professional.
Angie Torres, Veterinarian.
