POLOKWANE – Here are a few handy tips that pet owners may want to look at to make sure they are all set to leave on their holiday knowing that their furry friends are well taken care of and will not miss them too much.
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The Polokwane SPCA deals with a large number of animals who have either been neglected or have run away from their homes during this time and they advise the following:
• Hire a sitter – If your animals are prone to anxiety of any sort (scared of the weather etc), your best bet is to arrange for a house-sitter to come and stay with them at home while you’re away. This will help make the dog feel more at home and less disrupted as he or she is in a place they know well surrounded by smells that they associate with.
• Pack a doggy bag – If your pet is going to be staying at someone else’s home while you’re away, make sure that their bed and favorite toys go with them too so that they have something familiar with them. Take the pet for a visit to the new place to introduce new smells and sounds and make the transition easier.
• Look at kennels in your area and go and visit them before you just drop your pet off their make sure it has everything your animal needs. Look at a kennel that has space for your dogs to exercise during the day, and ask if you can take their bed from home too or if they can send you pictures while you’re away so that you have peace of mind that they are doing well.
• If your dog is prone to take things a little hard, talk to your vet about medication that can help with products on the market and make sure you know how they work and teach the people looking after your pet how they work.
• Before you leave, take your dog for a walk or play with them a lot. Using up some of their energy before you leave will help them keep calm during any changes in their environment.
• Keeping up with the dogs normal diet and eating times will help to also make the changes easier, sudden change in diet can negatively impact their health and well-being.
Tanya Le Roux from the Polokwane SPCA told Review that while animals may be far more adaptable than we realise, it is always better that pet owners ensure all the boxes are ticked when leaving their pets behind this festive season. “If your best friend is well fed, well looked after, and gets plenty of stimulation while you’re away, chances are strong that they’ll be just fine while you’re gone. But still, nothing beats a tail-wagging emotion-filled welcome back lick like you’ve been gone forever when you get back,” she said.
