Enjoyable pet travel
In holiday season here, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventures and beach days for Kiwi families, and their furry friends.
Taking the dog, or sometimes the cat, on holiday is part of the Kiwi psyche, bringing with it certain necessities to make trips enjoyable for humans and animals. Specific items are essential for travelling with dogs and cats. You’ll need water and a portable drinking/eating bowl, poo bags, a lead, and some treats for breaks.
Plus a harness to keep them safe inside. Some pet owners include a booster seat, familiar blanket and toy, or even a pet bed too. Remember that under New Zealand law, dogs riding on the back of a truck, trailer, or ute, travelling on a public road, must be secured in a dog crate or with a lead.
If your pet is not used to travelling in a vehicle, start with a few shorter trips to familiarise them with vehicle movement. Don’t let them ride in the front seat; the Automobile Association recommends securing them safely in your vehicle’s rear.
When travelling long distances, plan a few pet-friendly stops along the way. Family members and pets will benefit from a break every two hours to go to the bathroom, stretch their legs, and in the case of the latter, have a quick sniff around.
Mishaps do occur when travelling with pets so be prepared for quick clean-up jobs, with odour absorbers, air fresheners, wet wipes, and paper towels. A quick online search shows that baking soda has a great reputation for absorbing unwanted odours without adding any of its own. All you need is baking soda and a bowl. Simply place 1/4 cup of baking soda into your bowl and find a place to pop it in your vehicle. Try a cup holder for example.
Once your destination is reached, and the pets liberated, give your vehicle a quick interior freshen up to get rid of animal odours and hair. Again, online commentators recommend deodorising your car by sprinkling a thin layer of baking soda on the floor mats, car seats, and other fabric surfaces (avoid leather upholstery and anything else easily damaged by baking soda). Let it sit for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming it off. An alternative suggestion is using a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water. Vacuum first, then spray the carpets and seats and let them dry. White vinegar is a disinfectant, so the smell dissipates as it dries.
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