Many of you might have vacation plans this holiday season! If your planning on taking a trip this winter, make sure you are properly prepared to bring your pooch along! Having a Pet Gear Auto Carrier would make your vacation trip much easier, and much safer for your pup! If you're going on a family vacation, the Auto Carrier is an ideal way to take your pet securely in your car! Plus it includes a treat/water feeding tray and a padded waterproof mat! Keep your pet safe and check out our Auto Carrier! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/5799--pet-gear-auto-carrier-car-seat-kennel.html

Who's going on a road trip this summer? It's just about time to start making some summer travel plans. Whether you're driving cross country or just to the next town, having a pet carrier is crucial! Our Pet Gear Auto Carrier is the perfect way to take your pet securely in your car. The Auto Carrier is perfect for small dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, birds and other small domesticated animals. When you're traveling, having your pet with you is important! We want to assure that your travel trips are safe and comfortable for the pets you love! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/5799--pet-gear-auto-carrier-car-seat-kennel.html

  Traveling with Your Pet During the Holidays It is hard to believe that it is already the holiday season.   Many of us with pets wouldn't think of spending the holidays without them. If your Furry Traveler is like mine, you are probably planning a road trip. The following tips and information will help your trip be a successful one. Careful planning can make your trip go more smoothly, whatever your mode of transportation.   If you are not staying with family or friends, more and more hotels now allow pets. Be sure to make your reservations well in advance as they can fill up quickly. HOTELS: 5-Star hotels such as Trump Hotels, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton often include extra luxuries for your dog, including special bedding and spa treatments.   If 5-Stars don't fit in your budget, you will still want a nice, clean room. There are many hotel chains to choose from, most offer Rewards Memberships so you can accumulate points and get a free night once in a while. My personal favorite is LaQuinta, www.LQ.com. Many are brand new hotels or newly remodeled with large rooms and all have free internet and even breakfast! There are no extra pet fees (unless there are damages, of course). Their website allows you to check for hotels along your driving route, which helps you decide what city to stop in if your trip takes you longer than one day to reach your final destination. Many of the Intercontinental Hotels (www.ihg.com) also allow pets but you may have to pay a pet fee.  WEATHER: Here is something to think about if you are changing climates. On a recent trip up north, we found it pretty chilly and my Florida dog ended up needing to wear a coat – good thing I was there selling dog products! If your dog has sensitive paws and is not used to the cold, boots might be appreciated. Just because they have fur coats, doesn't mean they will always be warm enough. TRAVELING BY CAR:   Buckling up is an important safety precaution for pets. Many states and provinces now require that pets be restrained while in a moving vehicle and restraints have several advantages. They help protect pets in case of a collision and they keep pets from running loose and distracting the driver. They also keep pets from escaping the car through an open window or door.   Cats and smaller dogs are often most comfortable in pet carriers and crates. Carriers give many animals a sense of security and familiar surroundings and can be secured to the car seat with a seat belt or a specially designed carrier restraint (like a child's seat).   There are also pet restraints available that can be used without carriers, including harnesses, seat belt attachments, specially designed pet car seats, as well as vehicle barriers, and restraint systems.   Absolutely do not leave your pet in the car unattended. Even with windows cracked, and even on a seemingly nice day, temperatures in a car can quickly escalate and kill your pet. If you will have to leave the pet, the pet shouldn't have come along for that trip.   Keep your pet hydrated. On a trip, it's tempting to skimp on the food and water to avoid pit stops. While you do want to cut back a little, just for your pet's comfort while on the go, be sure your pet gets enough to drink and eat. The To Go Bowl allows your pet to drink while traveling and the removable cup can store dog treats for your rest breaks. If you are driving with a pet, plan for plenty of stops to walk you pet, and give the pet food and water.   Your dog should always wear a collar with an ID tag that includes your cell phone number so you can easily be contacted if needed.  Allowing your pet to have his own travel bag will help you keep things organized. Some things to remember in the bag are an extra leash, medications, Hairbrush, food, bowls.   There are so many other great travel products available now than there were just a few years ago. You will be amazed how much easier traveling is when you use some of them. Websites such as www.FurryTravelers.com specialize in pet travel products and are a great one-stop shopping place for your pet travel supplies.   Pet Travel Statistics from Bark Buckle UP:   In an accident, an unrestrained animal is dangerous to the human passengers as well. Even in an accident of only 30 mph, a 15-pound child can cause an impact of more than 675 pounds. A 60-pound dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, a windshield, or another passenger. Even if the animal survives, it can impede the progress of rescue workers for whom every moment is precious.   Unrestrained pets can also distract the driver, and cause an accident. Even pets that are normally well behaved could be frightened by something unusual and dive for the driver's feet or lap. Following a car accident, an unrestrained pet could escape and be hit by another vehicle or cause another collision. A frightened dog may attack strangers who are trying to help.   Bark Buckle UP utilized the Travel Safety Evaluation Booklet used by police agencies nationwide and concluded that 98% of pets do not travel properly restrained, which means that only 2% of pets travel safe in vehicles. Bark Buckle UP, the pet safety national awareness program, works with Police and Fire Chiefs nationwide to communicate to the public the necessities of, "Why Buckle" for your pets safety, passengers, driver and our first responders.   Be one of the 2% that buckles up your pet!  

Taking our dogs on a walk is a necessity, and so is cleaning up after them! If you don't have a waste bag carrier, then maybe it's time you got one. Leash Luggage makes it easy to dispense and use waste bags during your daily walk. Leash Luggage attaches to any leash with Velcro loops for easy clean up. Conveniently holds roll of waste bag or individual bags, plus your own items (keys, money, I.D., dog treats, etc.) Now your doggie cleanup will be much quicker! With a convenient belt loop clip, for hands-free transport, Leash Luggage is the perfect accessory!     http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/3114--leash-luggage.html  

  Did you know that dogs don't have sweat glands like people have (except for a couple of glands on their feet)? This is the reason why dogs pant- it allows them to rid their body of heat. Unfortunately, when the temperatures spike during hot summer days, panting alone is not enough to keep their bodies cool.   Here are a few tips for keeping your dog safe, happy, and comfortable in the summer heat:   ·         Lots of Water- The most important thing you can do for your pet is make there is plenty of fresh, cool water available to drink at all times.  Keep the dog bowl in a shady location and change the water frequently to keep it cool. Bring a portable dog water bottle with you when you're on-the-go.   ·         Find Shade- It's not uncommon for dogs to enjoy a little sunbathing, but it's important that you provide him or her with a shady place to cool down in-between prolonged exposure to the sun and heat.  A solar canopy can provide shade for your dog to prevent the harmful effects caused by excessive heat.   ·         Protect the Paws- While doggy paw pads may seem tough, they're also very sensitive to heat and burn while walking on hot surfaces such as pavement on a scorching summer day. Try to keep your pet on grass or dirt if possible and check their pads for redness. You can protect your dog's paws from hot surfaces using breathable dog boots, particularly useful for city goers who don't have the option of avoiding hot roads and sidewalks.   ·         Pool Time- Taking your dog swimming at a pool or lake is a great way that your dog can cool off. Another great option if you don't have a normal-sized pool available is to purchase a kiddy pool and keep it filled with water for your dog to soak in when he/she is feeling overheated.   ·         Car Safety- Never leave your dog in the car on hot days, even for a short period of time. Doing so can lead to heat stroke and irreversible organ damage. Keep a portable dog bowl filled with water to ensure your dog stays hydrated on road trips and utilize a pet carrier so that you can bring your dog with you wherever you go.    ·         Hot Weather Apparel- There is plenty of doggy gear to prevent and relieve your pet from overheating. Items to buy if your pet is spending a lot of time in the heat include dog cooling jackets, harnesses, and cooling collars. This amazing lightweight pet apparel can reduce a dog's temperature by up to 30%. You can also find doggy eyewear for protecting your pup's eyes from damaging sun rays.   ·         Cooling Bed- Dog beds are oftentimes too warm in the summer for your pet to enjoy, which is why you may frequently find them sprawled out on the tile floor instead on hot days. A cooling dog bed with gel-like material offers the comfort and softness of a traditional doggy bed but will keep your pooch cool and comfortable.     We know that you want your pet to enjoy the warm sunny weather just as much as you do. Taking certain precautions and preparing for the heat with the right gear and pet accessories will ensure that your furry friend is healthy and happy all summer long!    

  Furry Traveler Road Tips If you plan on taking your pet along on your next trip, you'll need to pack some additional items to make sure they're safe, entertained and happy. Here's a list of things you might need: • A carrier or crate, complete with identification. • A blanket or cushion from your pet's home bedding. • Your pet's food and water dish, as well as a portable water dish for traveling to your destination. • Veterinarian documents for your pet. • Treats! • An extra collar and leash • Any grooming supplies, like a brush or a comb, a lint remover for hotel furniture, tweezers, etc. • Your pet's favorite chew toys. • A restraint device if traveling by car. • A container of your pet's normal food. • Carpet stain and odor remover, just in case… • Trash bags and waste removal bags. • Flashlight, for walking after dark. • Extra old towels. • Photos of your pet in case he or she gets lost. • Contact information of your at-home vet clinic and a few local clinics. If you're traveling by car, make sure to check the air conditioning before hand and that you use it while driving. Don't roll down the windows and let your pet hang his or her head out the window.  Safety first, ya know.

  The holiday's are almost here! And for a lot of people that means traveling. If you plan on flying with your pet this year, here's a list of 5 most pet-friendly airlines of 2009. You're pet will thank you!   Continental The airline's PetSafe program has a 24-hour Live Animal Help Desk that tracks your pet from origin to destination. It's more expensive than other airlines, but your pet will travel in climate-controlled vehicles for connections and you'll earn extra miles. The airline also allows small pets to be carried in the cabin on most domestic flights for $125 each way.   JetBlue Airways JetBlue launched JetPaws last summer, providing passengerspet carrier bag tag, two TrueBlue points each way, a welcome e-mail and pet-travel guide, all for no additional cost. But like almost every other airline, they have raised their in-cabin pet charge. One-way fees range from $75-$100.   Airtran Airtran is currently the least expensive airline to fly with your small pet: just $69 each way. They only allow small pets that can travel the cabin, so if you have a larger breed that needs to be checked-in, this airline isn't for you.   American Airlines The airline has assisted transporting animals from popular zoos in cargo. Although they allow a limited number of pets in the cabin, they ask passengers traveling with pets to make special notes for their animals flying in cargo and promise to abide by all requests.     United Airlines They accept small cats, dogs and birds in the cabin; rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs as checked baggage and other animals including parrots, cockatiels and ferrets in United Cargo. Shipping by cargo is for items, like some pets, that you can't check as baggage.   For more information about these airlines and their pet policies, click on the airline name above.

Cat Travel Accessories Furry Travelers now carries travel products for your cat!  Find cat carriers, cat harnesses, calming products for cats, cat toys, and more!  

  We get lots of calls and orders for carriers that are approved for in-flight use.  As every airline has their own requirements and restrictions, we always recommend checking with your specific airline.  If you are planning a trip, I just came across a website that lists all the airlines and their restrictions:  http://www.petflight.com/airlines Safe travels! -Nancy

Many of us will be taking our furry ones on road trips this Thanksgiving.  Here are some ideas for vehicle accessories that make traveling with pets easier.   It is so important to keep your pet's safety in mind while on the road.  While many like to have them on their lap or see them enjoying the breeze in their face, this can be very dangerous in the event of an abrupt stop or accident.   To keep your pet secure, we recommend a safety harness or, for smaller dogs, a booster seat with a tether to attach to their harness.  Some pet carriers such as the Sleepypod can be secured in place with your car's seat belt.  These items will prevent your pooch from jumping around the car and keep them in place in the event of a sudden stop.     Car seat covers and hammocks are a worthwhile investment as they protect seats from water, snow and muddy paws.  They come in a variety of sizes, colors and styles and are very easy to install.     Proper hydration while on the road is important to your dog's health and comfort.  The To Go Bowl is a water bowl that is designed to fit into a car's cup holder - in the front or back seat - and allows your dog to drink whenever he wants without stopping the car. Stay organized by using a seat back organizer or cargo organizer for your pet's toys, leashes, treats, etc. If your dog gets anxious in the car, try a calming remedy or anxiety wrap.  We have heard from many happy customers, including one of our own Furry Travelers, that they really do work! Just for fun, you can personalize your vehicle with a cute magnet or license plate cover.   See all Furry Travelers automotive accessories here.   Wishing you and your Furry Travelers safe travels! (Look for more travel tips from Furry Travelers during the holiday season.)