Pet Relocation - Tips For International Pet Moving

We pet lovers must face the sometimes confusing task of moving our pets internationally with us. This can be confusing since the paperwork is different from country to country, and we sometimes worry about the well being of our furry friends. Well, throughout this article we will go over some tips for international pet moving that comes in form of questions you must ask yourself, and get the answers to, when you want to make your pet an international being.

Restrictions: Are my pets legal on the destination country?

One of the things you must be especially careful with is the countries' laws regulating pets. This is even truer if you have exotic pets such as snakes, tarantulas and so forth. If your pet is legal in your country it doesn't mean it is legal everywhere - so don't make a trip without proper research first, or you might get your pet confiscated, be charged for smuggling or even get your pet put down... and nobody wants that.

Documentation: What documents are required to import your pet? Pets are mostly treated as imported and exported goods when it comes to international travel. They also need heavy documentation in some cases, so another tip is that you should always research the proper documentation to back your pet. Ownership and birth certificate, as well as the receipt, may be needed in order to prove the pet is yours and indeed a pet and not a "smuggling good".

BANG! BANG! Fireworks May Be Nice for People, But Not Pets!

As all of us pet owners know, our animals can be a little startled during firework displays. It's almost November, approaching bonfire night on the 5th, causing some real stress among our beloved dogs, cats and smaller friends. As their guardians, it is our responsibility to try and limit their anxiety and keep them as calm as possible.

Spotting some early signs of stress in your beloved friend is the first step in keeping their distress to a minimum. Look out for excessive barking or meowing, pacing the house and panting or sweating, loss of appetite, quaking or trembling, fouling in the house or hiding behind furniture. Knowing these signs can help you to identify their strain and do something to help them through this time.

Things you can do to prepare your dogs and cats for the fireworks and during the display include:

There was a 40% increase in the number phone calls about missing pets on Bonfire night last year, so remember to ensure your pet is micro-chipped!

Make a space especially for them to hide in if they need to, with pillows, blankets and comforting smells, from their toys or something of their owners. This will help them to manage with their fear; your pet should be able to access this space for a few weeks leading up to firework night, so they are comfortable with their surroundings.

A calming scent is a great way to keep your pets relaxed during the loud noises, so a great product is the Feliway Diffuser for cats, which can be purchased from us.

How to Train an Older Dog

When you get a new dog, after the excitement of welcoming the new member of the family, whether it's a puppy or an older dog, the first question that comes into your mind is "how do I train him or him?" (I'm gonna talk about "him" for the sake of readability, not a special preference, OK?)

Of course, if it's a puppy, it's very easy to teach him basic obedience and house training. But, how to train an older dog? You have always heard "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", but nothing can be further from the truth. The way to go about it is to approach it as you would when training the dog of any age. Most importantly is building a bond with your new pet. It's a crucial step to be able to train him successfully. You have to develop a caring and loving relationship with him to win his trust. Talk to him, go for walks (never underestimate the importance of walking your dog, even if you have it big yard for him to play in), spend quality time together, have play sessions, etc. It's very important to develop trust, but there also has to be mutual respect between you and your pet. It takes time to develop trust, and respect will come from defining boundaries and treating any breach with firmness and fairness. You have to develop limitations, in order to develop respect, and you need respect to develop a bond.

Once you have built a bond with your dog, training him or teaching him anything at any age, should be doable, but always keep in mind that training an older dog will not always be as easy as training a puppy. House training an older dog will sometimes take more time and will require a lot more love and patience on your part, especially if he was not house trained before, but it can definitely be done.

House Training an Older Dog

If your dog is urinating and defecating in inappropriate places, first thing to do is rule out any medical problem. It's always a good idea to have your new dog checked by a vet when you first adopt him. Sometimes even a diet change might do the trick. Being an adult dog, they might have a problem like incontinence, which is treatable with medications. Have a good talk with your vet about all the possible medical reasons for the behavior.