Sunshine Coast Holiday House

Pets welcome

Taking your pet on holiday.

If traveling by car, take a trial run first. On a short drive, pet owners will know if their pet is a good traveller or if motion sickness or nervousness will be a problem. Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast is one hour by car north of Brisbane.

Some cats or dogs have a tendency to become nervous while in cars. The safest way for a nervous pet may be using a pet carrier.

Make sure your pet is properly identified in case it gets lost. Pets have a tendency to wander away, so owners want to make sure the pet has an identification plate or tag on its collar with the owner's name and a contact number. Mobile phone number is the best option. (Not much point having someone call your home number when you are in Caloundra.)

When traveling, make sure that a pet's nutritional, environmental and maintenance needs are met. Animals need to maintain a steady diet to prevent accidents while away. Take an ample supply of the pet's regular food, treats and water from home. Bringing water is suggested because just like humans, pets may suffer from intestinal problems if their diet changes drastically overnight. If water supplies run low, mix the water from home with the "new" water to help pets adapt. This is good practice for youeselves & children alike.

We recommended keeping pets' meal, exercise and sleep schedules as close as possible to normal. Holiday makers could also bring their pet's favorite toys and special sleeping blankets or pillows.

Finally, make sure the pet's maintenance needs are met. When on the road, stop every two hours for a short break and every four hours to let your pet stretch and run. Bring the pet's prescribed medication and vitamins. Make sure traveling cages are well ventilated and large enough for the pet to stand and turn around in. Remember litter boxes or pooper-scoopers.

Some animals will only use one brand of litter, so you may want to take litter and a litter box from home to prevent your animal from having to be retrained for the litter box.

Taking your pet on holiday is a viable alternative to boarding kennels and may even be cheaper.