Have a happy, furry Christmas!

I hope everyone reading this article has a very Merry (and Furry) Christmas! Furry you ask? Well sure! We don't want to forget our little furry friends, do we?

Please remember, while there are a few hidden dangers for our pets during the holidays - such as certain foods & plants, there are also many wonderful moments to be shared as well!

One thing I thought of, was traveling with our pets this Christmas! Thinking of taking Fido or Fluffy with you this year? Outstanding! I love taking my pets when I travel! Motel Six and many other places are pet friendly, so if you are driving to Grandma's this year, google the pet friendly places along the way!

Does your pet get car sick? Now this can be a bummer...but it can also be dealt with. Obviously, if you are just now starting to address this issue, it may not be possible to train your pet to ride without becoming sick at this late date. You may want to go the route of a pet motion sickness medication. Dramamine or Benadryl can be used for pets, just as for people...but never attempt to administer these medications without consulting with your Vet. Dosage is extremely important with pets, as it would be with children, so your Vet will need to tell you what dosage will be safe for your pet based on its weight and/or age. There are some non-prescription medications available such as "Johnston's Travel Eze", or "Pet Calm". Ask your Vet about these as well, and see what they recommend!

Here are a few other tips that may make the trip more enjoyable:

1. You may want to make sure your dog has an empty stomach before getting in the car. Don't give him any food 3 to 4 hours prior to travel. Some vets also recommend limiting water intake just before travelling.
2. Allow your dog to relieve itself before travelling.
3. If you know your dog is prone to car sickness, be sure to take it slow, and be extra careful around sharp curves or up and down hills.
4. There are a number of homeopathic solutions that help reduce travel sickness. You can google these on the internet, or go to someplace like Pet Smart for help in finding one that works!
5. Open the window a little. Fresh air does wonders for animals that have a tendency to get car sick. Take note of the temperature; dogs cannot regulate their body temperatures as efficiently as humans can, so make sure it isn't too hot or too cold in the car.
6. Looking out the window can bring on nausea in many dogs, so consider keeping your pet safe and secure in a covered portable crate.
7. Be prepared in case the dog gets queasy in the car. Cover the seats, bring towels, paper towels and bags, give a back seat dog plenty of air, play soothing music, and do not play music too loudly.
8. For long road trips, give yourself and your pet a rest stop and take a walk every two or three hours. Aviod dehyrdation and take a good travel bowl will allow them to have a drink during the break.

So, gear up, break out the doggie downers, and hit the road to the relatives for Christmas! Taking the pets can be almost as much fun as taking the kids...and you wouldn't leave them behind...would you?!!!