Pet Travel Q&A

During our cross country road trip, we will be making stops in snowy areas. Should I dress my pet in warmer clothing and boots?

Although you don’t state the breed or age of your dog, the answer is "most definitely." Dog clothes do more than make you go “awww, how cute.” Just because pets generally have a fur coat doesn’t mean they don’t need another layer of protection from the elements in the winter. Small dogs like Chihuahuas are closer to the ground and certainly need more shielding from the pavement. And even large dogs that may be used to the cold can still feel the frigid temperatures on their furless bellies. Keep in mind that puppies and older dogs, as well as pooches on the mend from injuries and illnesses, may be more sensitive to the cold.

Being that you’ll be in snowy areas, you’ll want to purchase a coat made with a water-resistant fabric (think a parka, but for dogs), but make sure it is easy to get on and off and doesn’t impede his or her natural movement. Also, look for one with a fleece lining for extra warmth, removable hood and a sewn-in harness hole for easy leash attachment. Boots are a great idea, as well, because they can keep snow and ice from getting stuck in between the pads on your dog's paws. Also, salt used on icy roads and streets can burn the paws of our four-legged friends. However, it can take some time for your dog to get used to walking in boots, so make sure you practice indoors first. Drive safely.

We are leaving our cat over the holidays. What are the most important things I should let our petsitter know about our cat? What documents do I have to leave with her?

You can never leave too much information for a petsitter. A good one will appreciate having way too many documents and pages of instructions to keep him or her from wondering what is normal and knowing what to expect when you are away. Obviously, you want to provide a daily itinerary of where you’ll be, telephone numbers where you are staying, as well as your mobile phone number, telephone numbers of the veterinarian (make sure the vet is available during the holidays and, if not, find one that is) and emergency animal hospital, and a feeding and medicine schedule. Here’s what else you can do: For one day, jot down everything your cat does and at what time. Cats are creatures of habit, so this is a good way for the petsitter to know your feline’s routine.

I also recommend you leave a worn shirt with your scent on it and your cat’s favorite toys. If you don’t already have one, buy a pet passport and enter your pet’s medical history, so if something does happen, the petsitter has everything in one convenient document. Let your vet know that you’re going away and leave the name of the petsitter. Be sure to make financial arrangements in case of emergency. Plus, leave cash for unexpected expenses. Lastly, request that the petsitter text, email or call you daily to let you know how your feline is doing.

Do dog anxiety shirts really work? I’m considering getting my dog one for our plane ride.

You don’t say if your dog is going in the cabin with you or traveling as baggage. But I suggest you try Thundershirt, which provides a gentle, constant pressure that has a great calming effect for most dogs, especially any time a dog may be anxious, fearful or over-excited. Thundershirt boasts an 80 percent success rate and offers a 100% money back guarantee — so, what do you have to lose? Founder Phil Blizzard says he’s seen “terrific” results for in-cabin pets wearing a Thundershirt and suggests combining a sedative with a Thundershirt for dogs traveling as baggage.

Personally, I don’t recommend sedating dogs. Many airlines will not accept a sedated dog for travel. For an objective opinion, I checked in with Ariana Luchsinger, a trainer and behavior consultant at Pets Unlimited in San Francisco, who specializes in anxiety and phobias. She’s used anxiety wraps, in particular Thundershirt, with both homed and sheltered dogs. She says the effectiveness of this acupressure-based calming method is, like most behavior modification tools, dependent upon the dog and context. “In many instances, I have seen an observable decrease in fear responses triggered by acute auditory stimuli and some limited results for generalized anxiety outdoors,” Luchsinger wrote in an email.

“That being said, on an airplane and especially if the dog is ‘stowed,’ I would question the efficacy of a wrap in a dog with previous history of anxiety symptoms. Overall, I would place anxiety wraps in the category of ‘can't hurt, could help’ with limited exposure to the fear-inducing stimuli."

What portable pet products (bottles/dishes) do you recommend for a long road trip?