Tips for Moving with Pets

Moving is regarded as one of life’s most stressful events.  If you have pets, it’s important to take extra steps to keep them safe during the move and settle in to their new home.

• How can pet owners prepare for a move?
  Have a plan.  Consider your pet’s needs while packing, moving and adjusting to the new environment.  The two primary goals during a move are to:
  1. Keep pets safe and avoid having them become loose or injured.
  2. Minimize stress.  Many pets are stressed by big changes in routine and this can lead to health and behavior issues.  Make an effort to maintain normal activities with your pets, such as walks, playtime and snuggle time.
  
  
• Tips while packing
  • Leave an area your pet uses often intact and pack in other areas first.
  • Keep box piles stable and breakable items in a safe place away from curious pets.
  • If you will be moving out of the area, obtain a copy of your pet’s health records from your veterinarian.
    
    
• Tips while moving
  • If traveling a distance, acclimate the pet to a crate and car rides before the trip.  Make sure your pet’s I.D. tag includes your cell phone number or other usable information. See tips on traveling with pets.
  • If possible, designate one person to stay with the pets while others move boxes.  This person can monitor the pets (give water, exercise dogs, comfort) and prevent pets from accidentally becoming loose.  Alternatively, safely confine the pet to one room, such as a bathroom, and put a “DO NOT ENTER” sign on the door.
    
    
• Tips while adjusting to the new environment
  • Set up a small area or one room with items familiar to your pet.  A common mistake is to give a pet the entire house to explore.  This is overwhelming for many pets - they might stop eating, mark or spray, or become destructive due to the stress.
  • Once your pet is acting normally (eating/drinking, grooming, eliminating), gradually introduce him/her to other areas of the house.  Keep the small area available as a retreat and to confine your pet when you are not at home.
  • Be mindful of any hazards such as cleaning supplies, items that could be swallowed, loose screens, etc.
  • Go back to the basics in terms of house training, litter box training, coming when called, etc.  Be consistent and understanding.
  • Establish new routines to help your pet feel at home again.

Tips for Traveling with Pets

Taking your pet with you on weekend trips or vacations can be great fun.  As always, careful consideration and preparation can help keep the good times rolling and avoid problems.

• Evaluate Your Pet’s Suitability for Travel
  • Consider your dog’s or cat’s age, health status and acceptance of traveling.  Some pets are simply more comfortable at home in familiar surroundings.  Other pets are eager to travel and love new adventures.
  • Transporting pets by air is generally not recommended. Temperatures in the cargo hold are not controlled; there is significant risk that the pet will become lost; and it’s very stressful on the animals.  In general, dogs and cats weighing less than 15 pounds can ride in the passenger cabin in a carrier under the seat.
  • If traveling by car, acclimate the pet to car rides before the trip.  Start with short trips and gradually increase the time as your pet is comfortable.  Pets should travel in a carrier or crate for safety.  Dogs can be secured with a seatbelt harness.  Pets should never travel in the front seat with air bags.
    
    
• Make Sure Pets are Welcome
  Research pet-friendly accommodations along your route and at your destination.  Web sites, magazines and books are available on this topic (e.g., petswelcome.com, Fido Friendly magazine).  If you are staying with family or friends, ask if you can bring your pet ahead of time and discuss where the pet can stay, impact on any resident pets, etc.
  
  
• Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
  • If crossing state lines or international borders, schedule a veterinary exam for your pet within 10 days of traveling to obtain a health certificate.
    • Bathe/Groom your pet, clean his ears and trim his nails
    • Gather supplies
      • Food, water and dishes for each
      • Medications
      • Collar, leash
      • I.D. tag; also consider a travel tag with destination contact information and a microchip
      • Carrier or crate (portable kennel for when pet is left alone at destination)
      • Bedding
      • Grooming supplies
      • Toys
      • Litter, litter box
      • Pet first aid kit
      • Phone numbers: veterinarian (home and destination), 24-hour veterinarian at destination, animal poison control center
      • Proof of rabies vaccination, health certificate
        
        
• During the Trip
  • Feed your pet three hours before leaving.
  • Stop every two hours to exercise dogs (be conservative - there may be unforeseen traffic delays due to construction or an accident).
  • Offer small amounts of food and water during the trip. Give the pet's main meal at the end of the day or at destination.
  • Don’t let dogs ride with their head outside the window.  Dirt or debris can cause injury or infection to the eyes, ears and nose.
  • Watch for signs of illness such as discharge from the nose or eyes, scratching/biting, or changes in elimination patterns and water consumption.

   

Are You Financially Ready for a Pet?

Pets are a lot of fun and can be some of our closest companions in life.  Pets also require a huge commitment of our time, care, and yes, money.  It’s important to understand the anticipated--and unexpected--costs before getting a pet so that your relationship can last a lifetime.

• How much does it cost to properly care for a cat or dog?
  There is certainly a lot of variation in how much people spend on their pets.  However, there is a base amount that all potential pet owners must be prepared to allocate for their pets’ health and well-being.
  
  Pet Care Cost Estimates
  

  	Cat	Small Dog	Large Dog
  First Year	$1,000	$1,300	$1,800
  Annually	$650	$600	$875
  Avg./month	$56	$54	$78

            
  The first year with a pet is typically more expensive because of initial costs for supplies and veterinary care.  It may help to consider the cost on a monthly basis to determine if a pet will fit within your budget.  If you want to get a dog, realize that size does matter.  Food, medications, and supplies for larger dogs cost significantly more than for small dogs.  Costs for a medium sized dog will fall between the extremes.

• What types of costs are included in these estimates?
  •   Medical Needs
    • Annual veterinary exam and tests
    • Vaccinations
    • Spay/Neuter surgery
    • Flea preventative
    • Heartworm preventative
    • Dental cleaning
  • Supplies
    • Food, food/water bowls
    • Grooming tools and products
    • Litter, litter box
    • Toys
    • Collar, leash
    • Bedding
    • I.D. tag, microchip
    • Scratching post
    • Carrier and/or crate
  • Other Costs
    • Adoption fee/purchase price
    • License
    • Training classes
    • Pet sitter or boarding
    • Professional grooming (for some coat types)
    • Although not included in the cost estimates, some pets may also need an outdoor shelter and/or a fence.
      
      
• What are some examples of additional expenses pet owners should be prepared for over their pet’s lifetime?
  • Short-Term illness or accident: $150 and up (e.g., kennel cough, swallow item and become obstructed)
  • Chronic condition: $20 per month and up (e.g., allergies, thyroid condition)
  • Orthopedic problems in dogs: $500 and up (e.g., hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament (ACL) tear)
  • Long-Term illness or major surgery: $1,000 and up (e.g., cancer, kidney disease)
  • Health insurance is available for pets to cover both expected and unexpected costs.  Pet owners should consult with their veterinarian to weigh the costs and benefits of these plans.

     

Adopt a Cat Month - Tips for Adopting a Cat or Kitten

For animal shelters, June is traditionally the busiest month of the year for receiving cats and kittens. That’s why June is deemed national Adopt-A-Cat Month® by the American Humane Association and Adopt-A-Shelter Cat Month by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

• Why is this a busy time of year for cats entering shelters?
  While many cat owners have had their pets spayed and neutered, there are still thousands of unsterilized cats in homes and running wild in East-Central Illinois.  June is about the time when the year’s first litters of kittens are old enough to leave their mothers.  At the same time, shelters have a large number of adult cats who have strayed or been relinquished by their families.  Hundreds of cats and kittens available for adoption in Champaign County alone during the summer months.
  
  
• Will animal shelters continue to receive kittens?
  Yes.  Female cats can have up to three litters per year, so kittens will continue entering shelters for the rest of the year.  This is great for people who wish to adopt a kitten, but in reality shelters receive many more kittens then there are homes wishing to adopt.  And while the kittens may be adopted quickly, the adults (who may be as young as 1 year of age) tend to be overlooked.  Even older kittens may grow up in the shelter waiting for a home.
  
  
• What are the advantages of adopting a kitten versus getting a free kitten from a friend or newspaper ad?
  There is no such thing as a “free” kitten.  At a minimum kittens need three rounds of vaccinations, de-worming, feline leukemia test, and spay/neuter surgery.  This can easily cost over $250.  Adoption agencies offer these and other services, such as microchipping, for $100 or less.
  
  
• Why should people consider adopting an adult cat rather than a kitten?
  • Cost.  Adults do not require multiple rounds of vaccinations and are less likely to cause household damage.
  • Time.  Young animals, like kittens, need lots of attention to help them learn household rules, to be properly socialized with humans and other animals, and to provide frequent play sessions.  This is fun, but it is also time consuming.
  • Personality.  You can get a good sense of an adult’s personality by spending time with him/her.  Kittens will develop their personalities over time.
  • Save a life.  Many adult cats are waiting for homes in Champaign County.  We need everyone’s help to give these cats forever homes as well as spaying and neutering intact cats to decrease the number of homeless cats in the future.
    
    
• Local Cat Adoption Locations
  • Champaign County Animal Control
    210 S. Art Bartell Rd., Urbana, 384-3798
  • Champaign County Humane Society
    1911 E. Main St., Urbana, 344-7297
  • PetSmart
    2017 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
  • Petfinder: www.petfinder.com

   

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Boarding Facility for Your Pet

Summertime means vacation for many families.  If Fluffy and Fido aren’t suited to join you on vacation, a pet sitter or boarding facility will be necessary.  Adequate preparation can help your pets remain comfortable and well cared for while you are away.

• What is the first thing people should do when looking for a boarding facility for their pet?
  Owners should first confirm that their pet is a good candidate for boarding. Many animals become stressed in a new and strange environment and are more comfortable staying at home when you are away. Pet sitters visit the home several times a day and in some cases stay overnight if requested.
  
  
• If keeping the pet at home is not an option, how soon should owners investigate boarding facilities?
  Begin researching boarding facilities as soon as you begin planning your trip, or at least several months in advance.  Some boarding facilities book up quickly, especially during peak travel times.
  
  
• How should owners begin the research process?
  Check with your veterinarian as some clinics offer boarding services.  Ask your veterinarian and others you know for recommendations.
  
  
• Then, visit several facilities in person:
  • Is the kennel licensed with the state and shown to meet mandated standards? Are the animals being boarded required to be current on vaccinations, including the vaccine for kennel cough (Bordetella)?
  • Tour the facility.  Is the facility clean? Are the animal living areas adequately sized and kept at a comfortable temperature? Are cats housed away from dogs?
  • Is the staff friendly toward you and the animals?  Do they appear knowledgeable and interested in learning about your animals’ needs?
  • How often are the animals fed, cleaned, and exercised?
  • Can you bring your pets’ own food, bedding, toys, and/or necessary medications?
  • Ask for and contact references.
    
    
• Each pet is an individual, so take the time to look for a boarding facility that can accommodate your pet’s needs.  Keeping pets’ routines as close to normal will keep them more comfortable and healthy.

Animal Cruelty Prevention Month

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recognizes April as Animal Cruelty Prevention Month.  You can help pets in East-Central Illinois by recognizing and reporting cases of neglect and abuse.

• What is the most common type of animal cruelty?
  The majority of animal cruelty cases are situations involving neglect, such as not providing animals with proper food, water, shelter.  Other cases involve inadequate veterinary care, physical abuse, or exposing animals to dangerous situations, such as leaving them in a hot car.  Animal fighting is another very serious form of animal cruelty.
  
  
• What signs might indicate animal cruelty?
  (From the ASPCA)
  • Tick or flea infestations. Such a condition, if left untreated by a veterinarian, can lead to an animal's death.
  • Wounds on the body
  • Patches of missing hair
  • Extremely thin, starving animals
  • Limping
  • An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal
  • Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food and water, often chained up in a yard
  • Dogs who have been hit by cars--or are showing any of the signs listed above--and have not been taken to a veterinarian
  • Dogs who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions
  • Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owners
    
    
• Why do cases of animal cruelty occur?
  In most neglect cases, the owners are simply unaware of what their animals need or may not have the necessary financial resources.  In cases of physical abuse and dog fighting, the abuser is showing a lack of empathy, or compassion, for animals.
  
  
• Is animal cruelty related to how people treat one another?
  Yes.  If a pet is being abused, it can be an indication of other violence in the home, such as child or elder abuse.  People who desire to express power and control over animals often act similarly toward humans.  The important thing to remember is violence is violence.  So when we see animal cruelty or neglect it is important to report it.
  
  
• How can people report cases of animal cruelty in our area?
  • The Champaign County Humane Society and local animal control departments have trained staff to investigate reports of animal cruelty.  You can remain anonymous, but it is helpful if you leave your contact information so that investigators can follow up with you if they have questions.  If you aren’t sure whether a situation warrants reporting, always err on the side of caution.  It’s better to file a report than ignore the situation.
  • Metcad can direct the complaint to the correct animal control depending on the time of day and geographic location.  CCHS handles unincorporated areas.  Phone numbers:
    (217) 333-8911 Metcad (police dispatch)
    (217) 344-7297 Champaign County Humane Society

   

The Benefits of Taking Your Dog to Training Classes

Dog training classes are an excellent way for people to teach their dogs good manners while providing opportunities to socialize with people and other dogs.  Once the basics are learned, a new world opens up for people and their dogs to have even more fun together.

• Why are training classes beneficial for dogs and their owners?
  • Learn how to teach your dog basic manners for inside and outside the home.  Training builds a communication system between people and dogs.  Many misunderstandings can be avoided by teaching the dog what we want and learning to recognize how dogs communicate with us.  Better understanding leads to a stronger relationship…and more fun!
  • Classes provide motivation - “dogs’ night out.” While many of us have good intentions, we often do not follow through with plans to train the dog, which may lead to irreparable problems.  Committing to a training class provides an incentive for us to stick with a training routine.
  • Receive individual attention and feedback.  You receive in-class instruction as well as feedback on how training is going at home.  Weekly feedback allows for modifications in techniques as needed so we are less likely to become frustrated and give up.
  • Learn from others in class.  It can help to know that others are having similar issues with their dogs, such as puppy chewing and excitable greetings.  Class participants can learn from one another and build relationships that may lead to play groups or ongoing support.
    
    
• "I’ve raised dogs in the past.  Why should I take my new dog to training classes?”
  Training classes provide a unique environment.  Even if your dog responds well to your cues at home, he still needs to learn how to focus when distractions are present, such as people with their dogs.
  
  
• How are training classes structured?
  Most training classes meet an hour once a week for 7 to 10 weeks.  Class size varies from about 8 to 15 dogs per class and one to three instructors.
  
  
• When should my dog start training classes?  Is one training course enough?
  Training classes are vital for puppies to capitalize on their socialization period.  Since puppies undergo many physical and emotional changes throughout adolescence, plan to attend classes for the first two years of your dog’s life.  Adult dogs can benefit from training classes, too!
  
  
• What types of training classes are available in the Champaign-Urbana area?
  • Basic or beginner for dogs with little or no training
  • Puppy socialization for dogs under 5 months of age
  • Canine Good Citizen to prepare for this American Kennel Club award (that is sometimes required for dogs to participate in advanced classes or participate in therapy work)
  • Tricks
  • Agility
  • Obedience and Rally Obedience (less formal)
  • Flyball

   

Subtle Signs of Illness in Cats

Cats are masters at hiding illness, so it may not always be obvious if they are sick.  There are subtle signs that can help you identify when your feline friend might be hiding something serious.

• Why is it important to identify these early signs of illness?
  Early detection leads to a quicker diagnosis and treatment.  An illness that has progressed to an advanced stage is much more difficult to manage successfully.  Early detection also reduces the amount of time the cat is in pain and distress.
  
  
• What are some changes that cat caretakers should watch for?
  It’s important for caretakers to know their cat’s normal routine so that changes can more easily be detected.  Watch for changes in:
  • Elimination habits, such as urinating outside the litter box.  While owners often (incorrectly) associate this behavior with the cat “trying to get back at them” for something, inappropriate elimination may be associated with conditions such as kidney disease, urinary tract infection, and diabetes.
• Eating habits
  • Food and water consumption
  • Weight loss or weight gain
• Daily routine
• Time spent interacting with people and other pets in the household - a cat who remains secluded may indicate fear, anxiety, or pain.
• Activity level - increased or decreased activity may be signs of hyperthyroidism, arthritis, or a systemic illness.
• Changes in sleeping habits - sleeping more or less
• Grooming - sick or anxious cats often groom less often resulting in an unkempt appearance and possibly matting.  Increased grooming may indicate a skin problem.
• Vocalization - increased vocalization is more common in older cats and may indicate an underlying condition
• Bad breath - one of the early signs of oral disease
  
  
• In addition to watching for these signs, how often should pet cats be examined by a veterinarian?
  The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends twice-a-year wellness visits for cats.  At a minimum, cats should be examined by a veterinarian once a year even if vaccinations are not required (many veterinarians are implementing longer vaccination schedules of up to 3 years).  Between regular veterinary visits and careful observation at home, owners can help their cats lead a happy and full life.