Coping with Holiday Separation

With only a couple of weeks until the schools break up and for a lot of families holiday time begins, Broadreach Nature + would like to focus on what to do when your pet can’t travel with you. Sadly, not all of us can take our pets on holiday with us, even though we would dearly love to, and not everyone has a friend, family member or access to pet sitter who can look after them while they are away. As we are well aware, dogs are by nature companion pets, living alongside us forming family groups, so being alone isn’t a natural state for them. So how do we go about preparing our fur family for the inevitable separation that comes with boarding? So where to start? Choosing a good kennel or cattery can be daunting for any pet owner. The Broadreach Nature + team like the advice the Blue Cross gives for choosing just the right one: Get a personal recommendation Drop in without an appointment and ask to look around Check your kennel/cattery is licensed by the local authority Book early – the best places get booked up far in advance Check if animals are housed individually; they should not be able to make nose or paw contact with others Ask about insurance cover in case of a veterinary emergency Ensure the location is not prone to flooding Find out how many staff there are per animal in the kennels Check the living area is warm, secure, clean and dry, with plenty of bedding Individual cat pens should have toys, a scratching post and a shelf where the cat can rest A good kennel/cattery will insist on seeing up to date proof of vaccinations and will ask for full information about your pet, including diet, so It is important to make sure all of their vaccinations are up to date and that your pet is in good health. Any new environment can be stressful, so it is a good idea, where possible, to take your pet on a visit to the kennel or even arrange for an overnight stay, to get them, and yourself, used to the idea. Remember to always pack a bag for your dog or cat, this can include favourite toy, blanket and any medication or supplement your pet may be on (remember to pass on feeding guidelines). You could even pack an item of your clothing to keep them feeling connected to you and help with separation. Remember that most kennels won’t accept treats that have any form of peanut in them so do check before packing these. But even after you have taken the above steps you may find that your pet may just be prone to anxious behaviour and we have a few points on what to look out for. Signs of anxiety Your dog may display anxiety through excessive panting, pawing, salivating, pacing, barking, refusal to eat treats, digging and inappropriate toileting to name but a few. If your pet is prone to anxious behaviour, Broadreach Nature + recommend our Calm Care Capsules and Liquid or their Relax and Calm Care capsules to help support them in any situation they may feel stressed in. And it doesn’t only have to be during boarding, this could be also be fireworks, loud noises or even car travel. The Broadreach Nature + Calm Care range, one of the most advanced and high strength supplements available, has natural ingredients including L-Tryptophan (believed to be a mood stabilising and calming supplement) and Ashwagandha (in our Calm Care capsules and liquid – thought to promote a feeling of wellbeing and may help with relaxation and sleep and could be good for anxiety and irritability issues) and Valerian Root Powder and Magnesium (all known for their calming properties). Broadreach Nature + suggest introducing these supplements into your pets diet a week prior to boarding as a short- term solution. These supplements can also be given long term if the need arises however the Valerian in the product may be acclimatised by the body over time so it’s best to try and take a break every 2 or 3 months for 2 or 3 weeks if possible. All the Broadreach Nature + products contain human grade natural ingredients, manufactured in the UK in pharmaceutical grade facilities with GMP certification, so can be guaranteed your pet only receives the best. Remember, you will probably worry much more than your pet but try not to let them be aware of this, and steer clear of emotional and long goodbyes. After all most pets like meeting others and having chosen a good kennel will ensure that they feel as comfortable in their environment as possible.