Need to leave your pet at home? It’s a tough call to make, especially if you’re going to be gone for more than a day. Pets are family, and keeping them safe is always going to be on your mind. With that said, there are plenty of things that you can do for proper pet care while you’re away. Here are a few tips to help get you started.
Assess the pet’s needs
Every pet is different, which is why you should always take your pet’s individual needs into account. Some animals are more social than others, and they might not take to their owner’s absence too well. They might require frequent walks, socialisation, special monitoring, or they could have any number of other needs.
Before you decide to go on a trip and let your pet stay at home, you should take everything into account. This will allow you to prepare adequately to keep your pet safe and sound.
Leave enough food and water out
Whenever you leave your home for extended periods, you must make sure that your pet’s nutritional needs are taken care of. If you’re only gone for a night or two, leaving full bowls of food and water should be enough to keep them well-fed. Obviously, this also depends on the pet in question.
If you’re gone for longer than a few days, you might want to have someone watch over your pet. Tell them where the food is stored and what to watch out for when they feed your bundle of joy.
Talk to a vet
One of the best things you can do before making any decision regarding a pet is to talk to your veterinarian. If you’re unsure about how to take care of your pet while away, they’ll be able to give you some pointers.
Make sure that your pet has all the necessary vaccinations when you visit the vet. Ask for any recommendations regarding pet sitters or boarding options.
Keep your pet comfortable
It’s crucial that your pet is comfortable while it’s spending time alone in your residence. When you’re there, it’s easy to set up things like the temperature and humidity. When you’re away, however, it’s a different story. Getting all the conditions right for your pet can be troublesome if you don’t have anyone to watch over them.
If you can’t get a pet sitter for the occasion, you should consider setting up your thermostat just right. A smart thermostat would come in handy in this situation.
Fix the locks
Pet safety should be your top priority when going on a trip, and that means taking care of your home’s security. Let’s face it—how often do people replace their locks? The current ones might be sturdy enough to hold out, but you can never be too sure when leaving your pet for extended periods.
Fixing and replacing weak locks is a good idea if you want to keep things as safe as possible. Contact a local locksmith and have them take care of your locks. You’ll feel safer once you come back, and you won’t have to worry about anyone breaking in while your pet is all alone.
Pet-proof your home
Most pet owners will know that specific feeling of anxiety when leaving their pet at home. What if they knock something over and hurt themselves? What if they reach a bottle or cabinet they’re not supposed to? These are very real risks, especially if you’re out of the house for a long while.
Before you start preparing for a trip, make sure to pet-proof your home as best you can. If you have an agile pet like a cat or dog, it might take some time to get everything ready. Removing sharp and otherwise dangerous objects should be on your bucket list. Take care of chemicals and medicine as well, as they can be particularly deadly for many pets. Keeping a tidy home interior can also help, as dirt and clutter can also be dangerous.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to keep your pet safe while going on a trip, there’s a lot of work to do. A pet sitter is always a good idea, but that might not always be an option. Start with the aforementioned tips, and you won’t have to worry about anything going wrong while you’re away.