When travelling with dogs it is important to consider some of the following before starting out on your journey.

Read below some of Anicare Clontarf Veterinary Hospital’s Top Tips for Travel.

Keep your Dog Seated in the Car.

A free moving dog in the car can take your attention and even your eyes off the road This could easily lead to an accident or a close call. In the unfortunate event of an accident if your dog is not secure they can be thrown around the car and become a danger to you and even your fellow passangers.

Keep your dog in the Back Seat.

Airbags are designed to protect humans but can injury smaller things such as dogs.

Keep your Dog restrained in the Car.

It is recommended to properly restain your four legged compainion. There are a number of options available. Doggy seatbelts which can be used in conjunction with their collar and just click into the standard car seatbelt buckle. A car harness, very much similiar to the normal walking harnesses, except with a little more padding for comfort, the doggy seatbelt can also be attached to this for extra comfort. Even travelling cages are available, to fit in the back of a bigger car. Seperators are also available that are easily set up in the car to block off access to the front by an inquisitive traveller.

Rest Stops

When travelling on long journeys make sure to supply water and even rest stops when possible, to allow your dog an opportunity to stretch his legs and a bathroom break. Leave the window a little open to allow fresh air to circulate. However never leave it open fully or let your dog stick his head fully out the window as dust particles may lodge in his eyes, or they may attempt to jump out.

Travel Sickness

Some dogs suffer from travel sickness so post-poning their meal for a few hours and offering them food when you reach your destination might help. Thunder shirts or rescue remedies can help a more anxious dog to feel more safe and relaxed. In more severe cases most Dublin vets will recommend an anti nausea tablet. Any of our staff at Clontarf Veterinary Hospital or any of Anicare’s other Dublin Vet practices will be happy to advise you on this.

Any other Question?

Want to know more?

Then just call us in Clontarf Veterinary Hospital 01 8330744

or

email us at clontarf@anicare.ie

Clontarf Veterinary Hospital Dublin

Clontarf Veterinary Hospital – Where We Put the Care of Your Pet First – ALWAYS.

Read below for some of Clontarf veterinary Hospital’s Tips on Moving house with your cat

Before the Move:-

Even before the move as you’re packing everything away, your cat will start to become stressed, as his immediate environment is changing. Every time a cat rubs its nose against objects in the home, it leaves behind a pheromone or smell to mark its territory. Your cat will stop doing this in times of stress. Products such as Feliway diffusers produce this special scent  and gives your cat the feeling of peace and calm and reduces the stress that your may cat experience

So before you begin packing up you may like to plug in a diffuser containing these calming pheromones. Feliway diffusers are available at Clontarf veterinary Hospital and all Anicare branches.

On the day of the move:-

On the day of the move there will be lots of noise and disturbance We would therefore recommend putting him in a relatively quiet room with the doors and windows shut so that he can’t escape and with a bed, food, water, litter tray and so on.

Never transport your cat in the removal van or in the boot of a car! Take him with you in a secure cat carrier in a position on a passenger seat where your cat can see you and you can check on him.

When you arrive at the new house, again find a quiet room to shut your cat in whilst everything is moved in. You might want to consider having a pheromone diffuser in this room too – placed a few hours before you arrive if possible to allow the scent to fill the room.

Once everything has been moved in and you have ensured all windows and doors are closed, you can open the door and allow your cat to explore the new house but not escape!

Letting your Cat Outside:-

If your cat normally goes outside, you MUST keep him indoors in your new house for at least two weeks to allow him to get used to the new environment, and so that he sees it as a “safe place” to return to if he gets stressed when out exploring in the future. This is really important – however keen your cat might be to get outside, keeping him in is better than him getting lost!

Before letting your cat outside, make sure he has a microchip, and that your contact details are up to date with the registration database. If in doubt just call our Clontarf Veterinary Clinic or any of our other Anicare Veterinary Group’s branches in Glasnevin, Palmerstown, Santry of Blanchardstown and we can check the details for you

Cats are territorial, they will know where they are in the pecking order but moving in to a new neighbourhood means they have to start all over again

If you spot any other cats in your garden, chase them out to help your cat establish his own territory. Don’t push your cat outside, but allow him to explore in his own time. Go out in the garden with him at first to help him feel safe.

If you are not moving very far the problem here is that your cat may come across familiar territory and end up back at your old house. If you’re not moving far away, warn the new occupants to watch out for your cat.  If they see it they should NOT feed it or encourage it in any way – this could lead to your cat continually returning to your old property.

So in summary what we at Clontarf Veterinary Hospital advise is:-

• Use Pheromone diffusers such as feliway
• Keep your cat indoors for at least two weeks
• Have your cat micro chipped

Want more advise – just call us at Clontarf Veterinary Hospital on 01 8330744 or emails us Clontarf@anicare.ie  or click the link below to find out more about us

.Clontarf Veterinary Hospital Dublin

Clontarf Veterinary Hospital – Where We Put the Care of Your Pet First – ALWAYS.

Household Dangers

Pet Proofing your Home
Dublin vets know you  ”childproof”  your home but so too you should you Pet Proof” your home to make it safe for your four-legged family members. Cats and dogs just like small children are naturally curious and love to explore their environment with their paws, claws and mouths. But they can’t know what is dangerous and what is not – more over unlike humans they do not become less curious or more careful as they get older. The following tips from Anicare’s Clontarf Veterinary Hospital can help ensure that your pet enjoys a long, happy and accident-free life in your care.

About the house

• Prevent falls by screening windows and so not let young pets out on balconies, upper porches or high decks.
• Many house plants, including dieffenbachia, elephant ear, spider plants and more are poisonous if eaten. Remove them or put them out of reach in hanging baskets.
• Puppies & kittens love to chew when they’re teething, so unplug, remove or cover electrical cords.
• Don’t leave a room where a fire is lit or a space where a heater is being used unattended.
• Plastic bags may be fun to play with, but they can suffocate.
• If your pet can put something in his mouth, he probably will. So don’t leave small, sharp, easily swallowed objects lying around.

In the garage

• Cats enjoy naps near a warm engine so, before you drive off, honk your horn and make sure your pet is not under or near the car.
• Pets like the smell and taste of antifreeze and windshield washer. Tightly cover their containers and wipe up any spills.
• Paint, gasoline and other dangerous chemicals should be stored out of reach.

In the kitchen, laundry room & bathroom

• Never leave burners or irons on unattended.
• Dangerous household chemicals such as bleach and ammonia should be stored out of your pet’s reach.
• Close washer and dryer lids – your pet might climb in and become trapped.
• Keep toilet lids down – small pets can actually drown, if they fall in.
• Medicines, shampoo, suntan lotions and other personal care items can kill your pet. Make sure she can’t get hold of them.

Outdoors

• Some outdoor plants, like ivy and oleander, can be poisonous to pets.
• Keep pets away from lawns and gardens treated with chemicals.
• Store garden tools and chemicals securely. Keep garden sheds locked.
• Remember some chemical especially slug bait is poisonous to pets.

And lastly Anicare Dublin vets ask you to  remember the festive season. Christmas provides many more hazards with tinsel. Xmas tree lights and glass decorations will all tempt your pets curiosity but could be lethal chewed or swallowed. Also mistletoe and Holly are poisonous to pets.
So we at Clontarf veterinary Hospital hope these tips help keep the home of our clients from Malahide to Marino and from Donebate to Donneycarney safe for all our four legged family friends

Should you have any queries on this or any other topic call Clontarf veterinary Hospital on

01 8330744

Or click the link below to find out more about us.

Clontarf Veterinary Hospital Dublin

Clontarf Veterinary Hospital – Where We Put the Care of Your Pet First – ALWAYS.

www.anicare.ie

Monday 23^rd Usual Business Hours

Tuesday 24^th (Christmas Eve) 8.30am – 5.00pm

Wednesday 25^th (Christmas day) Closed

Thursday 26^th (St.Stephens Day) Botanic: 10am– 12pm, Clontarf 2pm – 4pm, all other clinics closed

Friday 27^th Usual Business Hours

Saturday 28^th Usual Business Hours

Sunday 29^th Glasnevin: 10am – 2pm, Clontarf : 2pm – 4pm, all other clinics closed

Monday 30^th Usual Business Hours

Tuesday 31^st (New Years Eve) 8.30am – 5.00pm

Wednesday 1^st (New Years Day) Glasnevin: 10am– 12pm, Clontarf: 2pm – 4pm, all other clinics closed

Thursday 2^nd Usual Business Hours

We also have some special offers on Hill’s Science Plan food with 3kg bags of hill’s Science Plan Puppy for €5 while stocks last (normal price €20.10).