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9 Tips for Travelling with Your Dogs
By Samantha Randall – podcaster, YouTuber and editor-in-chief at Top Dog Tips

Travelling with your dog can be an unforgettable experience for both you and your pooch, but you need to be well-prepared for the trip and aware of all possible problems and dangers can and often do occur to underprepared pet owners. Here are some useful tips for travelling with your dog from my personal (and recent) travel experience with two of my own pets.
Be Ready and Prepare Thoroughly
Depending on how far and how long you’re going to travel for, the planning phase is key, and preparation for the trip should not be taken lightly. It is the best way to prevent unexpected issues. For example, you should research laws and rules regarding animals, like transportation and quarantine laws and restrictions. There’s a number of resources for this, but a good place to start is USDA list.
You should also get a vet checkup before you go on the road, especially if you are travelling by plane or to another state or country. Your vet will issue a health certificate for your dog which might be necessary for him to cross the border.
Another thing to prepare for are weather conditions. You need to get a weather report and be prepared for things like rain or snow. These things might slow you down, or you can choose another route if that is possible. You can also pack your dog for those specific conditions. For example, if the weather is going to be cold, you might need some clothes for your pooch as well.

Plan Your Route
Dogs aren’t as patient as we are and travelling for a long time can take a toll on your pooch, so try to schedule regular brakes. A good place to start is Go Pet Friendly site which helps to plan out all trips with pets. When on the road, try to take a rest for 20-30 minutes after every four hours and if you travel by car, you should try to plan your breaks at the locations that are pet-friendly. You could also stop at a park to give your dog a chance to run around for a while and play.
Do a Test Drive
Some dogs will need more time to get used to travelling by car and for that reason it is smart to do a test drive for a few hours. You could even do it for a few days in a row if you want to prepare your dog properly. It is important to pay attention to your dog when you perform a test drive and look for any signs of motion sickness or anxiety. If you notice anything unusual about his mental or physical health, mention it to your vet when you go for the checkup.
Airplane Is the Last Option
Airplane travel is one of the most stressful options for travelling with a dog and poses a number of risks for dogs, especially if they must fly in the cargo hold. If you have other options, avoid taking your pooch on the plane. If you do have to travel by plane, you should try to choose a company that allows pets to fly with you and not in the cargo area because that can sometimes be dangerous for your pooch, in addition to being scary and traumatizing.
You should also check other pet rules of the company you are flying with. Some air companies will ask you to provide your dog’s health certificate and most of them will require a crate for your pooch.
Bring Your Dog’s ID
You never know what can happen on a trip. Sometimes, your dog might panic and get lost, in which case it is very important that he has an updated ID tag. Also, you should create a tag specifically for the trip if your dog’s ID has your home phone number. Add your cell phone number when you create this tag, as well as an emergency number of a friend or a family member who lives in the area.
You should also consider microchipping your pooch. It is a completely painless process that can put all identification information on a microchip under your dog’s skin, ensuring that his ID information can’t get lost.
Choose Dog-Friendly Accommodations
When you choose a hotel to stay in with your pooch, you need to make sure that it is a dog-friendly hotel. Some dog-friendly hotels in the USA are known to pet owners and have a great reputation. When forgetting about this you risk getting into unpleasant situations with either the staff or other guests. Also, pet-friendly hotels have special facilities that your dog will be able to use and make his stay more comfortable. You might even get some suggestions from the staff about the dog-friendly sports in the area.
The Necessities
The most important things to bring with you are food, water and medications. Depending on the type of trip you’re taking, you may need to have a lot of water with you and you need to give it to your dog frequently to keep him hydrated.
Bring enough dog food for the entire trip if you don’t know whether you will be able to buy dog food at your destination, especially if your dog is used to the specific kind or quality. Many dogs experience stomach problems when they change their diet and that is why it is best to stick to his regular food and not change anything on the go.
You need to bring your dog’s medications and first aid kit. If your pooch has a specific condition, or if he is prone to getting sick easily, you need to bring the necessary medications with you. Consult your vet and ask him what medications you should bring along, especially if your dog is prone to car sickness.
Other Things to Bring
You need to take into account the climate of your destination and bring some stuff according to that. For example, if you are going to a place with very cold weather, consider clothes for your pooch. If you plan to walk a lot on your travel, dog booties can be a good idea to protect your dog’s feet. There are also special hiking packs for dogs that allow them to carry their own food and water, which is great if you plan to hike with your dog.
You should bring a brush with you since a change in climate, no matter how small, will make your pooch shed more than usual. Bring a LED collar light so you can walk with your dog even when it gets dark. If you are planning to go camping, bring a two-person tent so your dog can stay in it with you for safety reasons. Bring a hands-free leash so you can hike with your pooch without restraints and don’t forget an extra collar.
Travel Safety Tips
When you travel with your dog, you need to make sure that he will be safe throughout the trip. One of the things is that you should never do is to leave your dog alone in the car. By now, most people know that it’s dangerous for dogs and can lead to suffering or even death, regardless of the temperatures outside. In higher temperatures, even the shortest time in a parked car can cause a heatstroke. You should also make sure that your air conditioning is working properly when you are driving.
All dogs must be secured in a car, and some states even have laws for this. Use a kennel or seat belt (only use crash-tested harnesses) to restrain your dog and keep him safe during car travel. Also, you should never open car doors or windows if your dog is not restrained. They can get out and get lost quickly, even if they are well-trained.
You can prevent sickness in your dog if you feed him early. That way he won’t eat a few hours before you go on the trip, which can prevent car sickness. You should also take breaks often to walk your dog for a while or he can become restless and anxious.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6186″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][/vc_column][/vc_row]]

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Dear Dog Pals,

Naughty Hum forgot to post my review of my HUGE Christmas present that came from Santa Paws via Paw Package! @pawpackageuk

The lovely people at Paw Package wanted me to enjoy the Christmas Package and gave it to Santa Paws to wrap and put under the Christmas Tree for me 🙂

As you can see, I think my present was one of the biggest and as far as I was concerned, the bested of all the Christmas presents 🙂

I could hardly wait to open it and see what was inside ‘cos boy did it smell good! I did need some help from Hum but finally got to see the contents 🙂

Paw Package works on a subscription basis – your humans can subscribe for 1 month; 3 months; 6 months or 12 months. Your package will be chosen by your size and tailored to your needs should you have any intolerances. The Paw Package is shipped on the 15^th of each month and then you and your human can have a month long party!!!!

Each Paw Package is full of toys, treats and goodies for dog and your human to enjoy together (well maybe the toys 😉 not sure Hum likes dog treats). Treats are always natural, ethical and where possible from local, British firms.

SO what was in the Christmas Paw Package? Well there was a lovely letter explaining what everything was and then LOTS of goodies!

There was a special Christmas bauble for Hum to put on the tree and then lots and lots of stuff for me!!!!

There were 2 toys – Bruce the Spruce from Green & Wild’s with rope bits to play tug with and a lovely knitted reindeer toy from House of Paws. I did enjoy playing with Rudy the Reindeer and amazingly he is still intact – tougher than he looks! Only thing I missed was a squeaker in the toys. Maybe posh toys don’t have squeakers???

Then I got to the treats – there were cranberry and sweet potato treats by SOOPA plus a huge bag of cranberry, parsnip and turkey Christmas treats from Forthglade. AND there was even a complete Christmas dinner for me to enjoy!!!!

I was allowed to sample the treats before dinner and I must say those cranberry, parsnip and turkey ones were YUMMY!!!!

SO dog pals, my Christmas Paw Package was totally A-Maz-Ing as far as I was concerned. Hum didn’t know if I would need so much stuff every month but I dispute that – you can never have enough toys or treats my friends 😉 SO, I highly recommend you get your humans to get you a subscription ASAP! They can order here:

https://www.pawpackage.uk/

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Paw Rating

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Hi again dog pals,

When Hum went to Manchester for Jack’s graduation, we stayed at the dog friendly Travelodge Salford Quays.

All Travelodge hotels allow up to 2 dogs or cats to stay at a charge of £20 per stay. @TravelodgeUK ‏

Hum isn’t keen on driving through cities and finding parking but the parking at Travelodge Salford Quays was easy and you got a reduced rate if staying at Travelodge.

We got a great welcome from Gin who was on reception and she made a BIG fuss of me! In fact all the staff fell in love with me, even Gary who doesn’t even like his girlfriend’s dog!

Our room was on the business floor so very quiet peaceful which Hum was pleased about. It was one of the smallest Travelodge rooms we have stayed in however and the bathroom was positively dinky according to Hum. Indeed, she did keep bumping her elbows on the shower and sink and suchlike. And Hum isn’t exactly a BIG person either ☹

Hum deemed the room simple but practical for a single business person, but it wouldn’t have been good for a couple.

With regard to facilities, Hum noted that there were no drawers for undies etc. there was no dressing table mirror; no beside tables for phones/glass of water (more a bedside tiny alcove) and no power points near the bed.

In the bathroom there was the usual hand/hair wash rather than bar of soap Hum likes, no bathmat (annoys Hum when the floor is all wet) and an ‘OK’ but not brilliant shower.

On the plus side the mirror in the bathroom de-misted really quickly so Hum did her makeup stuff there as there was also good lighting. And Hum did note the decor was good and everything was extremely clean.

Travelodge don’t provide anything for dogs in the rooms so you need to bring your own bedding; bowls; treats etc. also.

One of the best things about Travelodge Salford Quays is the huge Ordsall Park straight opposite. I was able to run and play and had a great time and right on the doorstep. Happy days indeedy 😊

You could have an evening meal at the hotel but Hum and I went out with Jack & Ben to another dog friendly restaurant – The Dockyard.

At the Travelodge, dogs are allowed in the bar area but not the restaurant so it wouldn’t have been as comfortable for us all for dinner.

Hum did have breakfast in the bar area so I could share which was kind of her and I must say I did enjoy breakfast at Travelodge Salford Quays.

It was buffet style and Hum didn’t think the scrambled eggs as good as some other hotels, but I thought they was just grand and had 3 helpings!

After another walk in the wonderful park it was time to say our farewells.

Would we stay there again? Yes, if we need somewhere not too expensive when visiting the boys. BUT would we recommend it? Only if you need a short break and can put up with the lack of facilities.

Sorry Travelodge Salford Quays – it is only a 3 paw this time ☹[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6162″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Paw Rating

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Hi again dog pals,

The lovely Lily’s Kitchen folk sent me a HUGE box with lots of Christmas goodies inside to sample and let your humans know what to get for your Christmas presents!

(Lily’s Kitchen; @lilyskitchen)

Inside the box were Advent Calendars; boxes of biscuits and lots of Christmas crackers filled with treats. There was even a tin of 3 bird dinner – I knows what I is having on Christmas Day! Yeah!

Hum let me open some windows on my Advent Calendar (I had never had one of those before) and the treats inside were really good. The Advent Calendar has Rise & Shines, Training Treats and Bedtime Biscuits inside behind the little windows and you get to open a window every day! I also got to open one of the Christmas Crackers and boy oh boy were those treats super yummy! These treats were proper Christmassy and bursting with delicious turkey, cranberries, thyme and cinnamon.

We gathered up some crackers and Advent Calendars and went out to the park to do some market research. Little Bella was SO excited she jumped in the air and grabbed her cracker! Bonnie also got super excited and pulled her cracker open to get at the treats.

Little Coco was also very taken by them although Bev kept them out of reach so he was unable to grab them.

We had to go back to Ravenshead so Hum walked me to the village and we stopped on the way to give a cracker to Pete who also found those treats super yummy.

Later Hum took me to visit K9 Kate the dog minder and I put more of the treats under the tree at her house for all the doggies in day care to enjoy.

Bow posed under the tree with the treats but after sitting nicely to see if we were allowed to try some, my pal Cosmo went straight in to the biscuit tin to sample those goodies. The biscuit tin has all the treats from the Advent Calendar and the Christmas Cracker PLUS little Gingerbread Dog biscuits AND salmon shortbread!!! Yum Yum Yum!

SO dog pals, get your humans to get you some of these yummy goodies to put under the tree for you. My friends and I have really enjoyed sampling them and they are all delicious but those ones in the Cracker are totally amazing!

They can purchase by following the Link:

https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=7262&awinaffid= 234909&clickref=zuki&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lilyskitchen.co.uk%2F

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Paw Rating

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Hi dog pals,

It has been a while since Hum took me on an adventure but at the weekend, I was invited to the Hope Street Hotel in Liverpool. (@hopestreet_LPL Hope Street Hotel & The London Carriage Works)

Hum had met the lovely Charlotte at the Conference & Hospitality Show and Charlotte was keen to get me to come and visit to show us how dog friendly Hope Street Hotel is.

Hum did the driving and bag carrying and off we went! Hope Street Hotel is on Hope Street in Liverpool and as Hum lived on Hope Street when she was an art student, she was really excited that I was taking her back there!

As the hotel is in the city itself, parking isn’t great but we got discounted parking at the Anglican Cathedral which is just opposite where Hum used to live!

I got an absolutely brilliant welcome from Megan and Samara at reception – lots of cuddles every time we went past in fact and they didn’t want me to leave ever!

Megan helped Hum with the bags and showed us to our room.

Hum was extremely impressed – we were in a Deluxe King room and it was spacious with lots of exposed brickwork and big windows.

I amn’t fussed about all that – I was more interested in the fact that there was a big bowl of dog biscuits waiting for me! Hum got a bar of chocolate left for her and there was a lovely welcome note left on the bed 🙂

Anyway, the good points for your human-folk are:

• Great décor and nice artwork (local artist)


• Nespresso coffee machine; range of tea and biscuits


• BIG bathroom with freestanding bath tub AND separate rain shower


• Quality toiletries, good soap and face flannels


• HUGE bed with lovely crisp bed linen and wonderful pillows

There were a couple of things Hum thought could be improved in the room. She would have liked a dressing table mirror with good lighting and thought there should be power points near the bed.

We met Charlotte in the bar area and had a chat. She gave Hum a press release about Hope Street Hotel and you can see some information, testimonials and famous names who have stayed here on the photos at the top of this Blog – very impressive!

We had dinner in the bar area of the hotel as it is dog friendly and I was brought a bowl of water straight away. The food was excellent and Hum chose the lamb so I could share. Very tasty indeed! The cheese board was also delicious!

Hope Street runs between the impressive Anglican Cathedral and the modern Catholic Cathedral and is home to the Everyman Theatre and the Philharmonic Hall and the Art College so very cultural. We went for a walk along Hope Street and there are several Dog Friendly places to eat; drink; have coffee nearby. The Philharmonic Dining Rooms; Frederiks and The Masonic Arms to name a few.

We slept very well – Hum rated the bed as extremely comfortable – as good as hers at home which is praise indeed.

Breakfast was a buffet but an extremely high quality one. The cooked food was all local produce and the scrambled eggs were the best Hum & I have had from any buffet breakfast and we have sampled lots. The chef at Hope Street Hotel is extremely good!

After breakfast, we went for another walk around Liverpool and then sadly it was time to say farewell to my new friends at Hope Street Hotel and move on to Manchester. I would totally recommend you bring your humans to the Hope Street Hotel and give it a ‘high five’ paws 🙂

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Paw Rating

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Hey Dog Pals,

Looks like over in America the folk are dog friendly too!

Do you love eating out, but can’t bear to be away from your pet pooch? With so many incredible places to eat in Texas’ coolest city, we’ve rounded up some of the best dog-friendly restaurants in Houston. From the most delicious hot dogs in town through to brunch spots where four-legged friends are always welcome, here are our top picks:

1. 
   

   Barnaby’s

   
   

Barnaby’s is a popular restaurant chain that can be found at several locations in Houston. The restaurant has a dog-friendly attitude, with your furry best-friend being allowed to sit on its porches, where they’re likely to make acquaintances with other dogs and there’s plenty of outdoor seating. The menu at Barnaby’s is great, serving up delicious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Its locations include restaurants in Heights, Midtown, Downtown and River Oaks.

2. Piggy’s Kitchen and Bar

At Piggy’s Kitchen and Bar, you’ll find a welcoming patio for your best friend. Piggy’s has an awesome brunch, lunch, and dinner menu. Brunch covers everything from spicy eggs to chicken served with waffles, while lunch and dinner include delicious burgers to chunky sandwiches. There are also healthier options if you’re watching what you eat, such as fattoush salad and hummus plates to share.

3. Cottonwood

Like the best food joints in Texas, Cottonwood is set in an industrial-chic restaurant and has a huge (dog-friendly) patio. The restaurant serves large plates of pub-style food, such as fish or shrimp tacos, and hearty sandwiches and burgers. They also have a brunch menu including cocktails. You’ll find a great craft beer selection too if you don’t fancy starting on spirits.

4. Good Dog Houston

Good Dog in Houston serves up great hot dogs and if your pooch is well-behaved, they’re welcome to tuck in too. The restaurant is known for its gourmet dogs, served in locally made, artisan buns, along with soups and salads if you’re looking for something a bit lighter. As with most of the restaurants mentioned in this roundup, dogs are welcome on the patio. There are two locations in Houston at Heights and Montrose. The hot dogs are so delicious, they often make it onto the best hotdogs in America list.

5. Porch Swing Pub

Porch Swing Pub prides itself on being a pet-friendly neighborhood joint. It’s a great place for happy hour and also has 38 beers on draft and tons of bottled beers too. The menu is simple pub grub, from fried pickles to spicy chicken wraps, there’s something for everyone. Your four-legged friend is, of course, welcome, as Porch Swing is one of the best, dog-friendly restaurants in Houston.

This article was originally published on AllTheRooms.com.
AllTheRooms is the world’s only complete accommodation search engine, combining hotels with vacation rentals, secret deals, and all other types of accommodations.

https://www.alltherooms.com/blog/dog-friendly-restaurants-houston/

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Top Allergy Fixes for Dogs

Dogs unfortunately can suffer many different allergies which can result in unpleasant symptoms for your beloved pet, from itchy skin, sore feet or digestive issues, sickness and diarrhoea – none of which are pleasant for either the dog or their owner.

It can be tempting to rush your dog straight to the vet to get checked out but there are also a number of natural fixes you can look into – particularly for itchy skin – which might actually save you time and money and make life a lot nicer for your dog.

So while you should get any very severe reactions or problems checked out professionally, there are a few other natural allergy fixes which you might want to try for some of the milder symptoms to give your dog instant relief.

To give us better guidance we spoke to the team of Time for Paws – an online seller of pet supplies, and they gave us these tips on simple allergy fixes for our furry friends.

1. Colostrum from cows milk

Colostrum is found in the milk from all mammals and helps to support newborns’ immunity straight after birth. It contains praline-rich polypeptide (PRP) which can help to reduce allergy symptoms by helping to calm down an overactive immune response.

PRP also works in other ways within the body to help calm down allergic reactions and is also anti-inflammatory so can reduce histamine levels making it ideal for helping to combat allergies in your dog.

Colostrum from cow’s milk contains antibodies against many common allergies so helps to build up a defence against the same allergens in the future as well, so giving cow colostrum supplements to your dog can really help with allergy issues.

It comes in either a powder or capsule form and works best when taken before food but you can mix it with yogurt or a little food to get him to eat it. You should use it consistently for a month and then just whenever it is needed from then on.

2. Seeds which are sprouting

Your dog’s gut needs to be balanced to help prevent problematic tummy troubles caused by allergies and one way to help support this is to buy probiotic food. However, if they need extra protection against allergies then sprouting seeds can help.

Sprouting seeds are full of probiotics as well as minerals and vitamins which can help to keep your dog healthy. They do need to be sprouting though – plain seeds don’t have the same impact. This is the reason you will see dogs eating grass – they know it’s good for their digestion.

The best way to help support your dog’s gut is firstly, to encourage him to eat grass when out and about as long as it’s free from any nasty pesticides. But you can also buy sprouted seeds to stir in with his food which will make sure he gets all the probiotics he needs.

3. Stinging nettles

Believe it or not stinging nettles are recommended by herbalist vets for dogs with allergies but obviously be careful how you use them. It’s thought they contain histamines which creates an anti-allergy reaction in the body. They also contain quercetin.

You can just pick them yourself (carefully) and make an herbal tea, or sauté them in a pan with oil until tender and add to your dog’s food. You can also choose a nettle tincture instead and add drops of this to their food. You can also let the tea cool down, and use it to apply to itchy areas of skin for a soothing effect.

4. Quercetin

Quercetin is found in fruits and vegetables and contains antioxidants as well as having strong antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effects. It is a great way to reduce histamine in the body and to manage the causes of itchiness.

Histamines are the cause of allergic reactions in the body and quercetin helps to stop the immune cells in your dog from releasing histamines, which in turn, reduces the symptoms of allergies.

Quercetin can be found in food like broccoli, so you can try including these in your dog’s diet, however, it can be easier and more effective to give it to your dog through a supplement. They are available in both pill and capsule form and best consumed by your dog on an empty stomach.

5. Cabbage leaves

This old fashioned remedy can help draw heat out from an inflamed patch of skin. You need to beat the cabbage leaf so that the juices start to come out. Then place it against an area of inflammation and you will feel the leaf get hot as it pulls the inflammation away from the body. Remove it after a few minutes.

6. Green tea

Green tea has great anti-inflammatory properties as well as an antihistamine effect so it’s perfect to use to help soothe a dog’s itchy skin. Make a strong cup and then allow it to cool, before then applying it to the itchy area for around five minutes.

You can keep the rest in the fridge to use later. Alternatively, use a green tea bag which has been wetted and apply it directly to the red itchy area for instant relief. Just make sure anything you apply to your dog’s skin is cold and it only works if it’s green tea.

7. Aloe Vera

If you buy an Aloe Vera plant you can use it for all kinds of things to help your own skin conditions as well as your dogs. The gel inside an Aloe leaf is full of enzymes which help to decrease itchiness and inflammation as well as encouraging healing.

You simply need to cut the leaf open and directly apply the gel which comes out onto the itchy area for a cooling and calming effect. You can also use it to promote healing and it has an antiseptic property so is perfect for sore paws or any small broken skin areas as well.

It also works wonders on sunburn and acne and other common skin conditions for humans as well so is a great plant to have in the house in general.

8. Baking Soda

Another stable kitchen ingredient which can help with itchy or inflamed areas of skin is baking soda. You can add it to water to make a paste, which you then apply to the itchy areas and wash off after a couple of hours.

Or you can mix it with water in a spray bottle to spritz onto your dog’s skin as and when they need some relief. You will need to make sure you shake the bottle every time, before you spray it, to make sure the water and soda is still combined.

9. Liquorice

Liquorice can have an anti-inflammatory effect and one of its component ingredients has a similar effect to codeine. It has been used in Chinese medicine to help people with allergies for many years and is thought to help coughs, sore throats and spasms. It can also be used to clear mucus from the nose and throat – which can be a real help with allergies.

Seek advice on exactly how much to give to your dog and the best way to administer it as the dose will vary considerably depending on the size of your dog and the condition you are trying to treat with it.

10. Witch Hazel

This is another natural remedy which can be used to support broken skin and reduce any swelling so it’s perfect for soaking sore paws in. You can also apply it to itchy patches of skin using a cotton wool pad to provide relief. This is another natural remedy which also works well on human skin and has great cleansing properties.

Having a dog constantly scratching sore and itchy skin, or sneezing and snuffling due to allergies can be heart-breaking and can often leave the owner feeling truly helpless but while you might not know what is causing the allergy, you can now do something about it.

There are plenty of easy and natural ways to provide relief to your dog from itchy skin without having to drag him to the vets and medicate him so if it’s only an occasional problem then try some of these remedies first.

However, some dogs have more severe reactions resulting in severely upset stomachs and diarrhoea in which case you should always seek veterinary support just in case there is some other cause beyond a simple allergy.

From cabbage leaves to aloe Vera and witch hazel, nature has a way of helping to balance the imbalance created within your dog’s body from an allergic reaction so if you can resolve it with a gentle natural remedy then so much the better and you can leave trips to the vet for check-ups and more serious conditions.

By just ensuring you have a few natural remedies in your kitchen cupboard, like green tea and baking soda you can sit safe in the knowledge that you are able to provide some relief to your dog from an itchy skin allergy reaction instantly, while his body settles down and until the allergy symptoms disappear altogether and he is back to his normal happy self.

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Whilst being a proud pet owner makes us happier and healthier too, for many of us, long hours at work, small rented flats and tight financial budgets means that owning our own pet is just not feasible.

But, thanks to the latest phenomenon, there is now good news for animal lovers. The global movement of pet cafes has now taken full force in the UK and there are more now than ever popping up in various locations.

In the UK, there are 13.5 million of us that have pets. It is no secret that we are a nation of pet-lovers. Out of this number, 24% of us own cats and 26% own dogs. With this growing love of cats comes the expansion of cat cafes.

Cat Cafes

The first cat cafe originated in Taipei. The Cat Flower Garden opened in 1998 and curious local residents soon discovered the feline paradise. Due to tall tower block buildings and strict rent controls, many residents were unable to own pets of their own, so the cafe was a welcome place for them to relax after work.

Tourists soon took the idea over to Japan and it is now thought that there are over 40 pet cafes in Tokyo alone. Japan has vastly overtaken the original concept, with rabbit, goat and owl cafes being in high demand. One cafe, Fukuro no Mise (“Shop of Owls”) has a waiting list of over 2 months.

In the UK, there are currently 15 cat cafes that are open to the public. Lady Dinah’s is the longest running cat cafe in the UK and is in the heart of London. Here, you can enjoy afternoon tea and hot drinks just minutes away from the busy hustle of the city whilst playing and cuddling with some furry friends.

In Manchester, The Cat Cafe is home to 10 cats who provide a welcome break from the day-to-day stresses of life. Located in the thriving Northern Quarter, the cafe is in amongst some of the best bars and places to eat in Manchester and is a huge hit with nearby students who receive a special student discount as a way to encourage them to visit and enjoy some stress-free time.

Dog-Friendly Bars

Across the UK, dog cafes and bars have been popping up in an attempt to rival the success of cat cafes. Whilst some dog cafes are residential, where visitors without their own pets can come and visit, the majority of locations encourage owners to bring their own dogs and have tasty treats on offer for the both of them.

A lot of the trendiest bars, cafes and restaurants in cities such as Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester offer tickets for pop-up dog-friendly events or “Yappy Hours’ during the week and welcome dogs. It can be a struggle for a lot of dog owners to find a place to unwind at the weekend or after work where their dogs are welcome and the increase in dog-friendly places is having a dramatic effect. These bars often offer three-course menus, for both pups and owner, and encourage those who don’t own a dog to visit too.
Amongst the most popular are pop-up dachshund and pug cafes, where owners bring their four-legged friends and meet up with other dog lovers. At one pop-up event at Cafe Sobar in Nottingham, the event was sold out and over 200 dachshunds and 700 people visited the event. Not only were hot drinks and snacks served, but pupcakes and pupuccinos were created for the sausage dogs. The venue has organised some more pop-up dog events this year which are tailored towards other dog breeds, so no need to worry if your pooch has missed out!

A lot of these events raise money for local charities and community, often donating a large chunk of the money to local animal shelters. As well as encouraging like-minded people to connect with one another, it also has a positive influence on the pets and owners who can get tips and interact with one another.

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Many people find traveling by airplane stressful, from going through crowded airports to shelling out your hard-earned bucks to pay the fares. So imagine how daunting it would be for your canine. Luckily, there are steps you can take to ensure your beloved pooch has a comfortable and even fun flying experience. Check them out below:

Choose Dog-Friendly Airports

First, know that no airline pet policies are made equal. While many cruisers offer spiffy flight packages to our furry buddies, others aren’t so accommodating. Some airlines even ban animals from their aircraft, especially those they deem dangerous and those who might not be able to cope with the stress of flying. Thus, you need to pick the right airline for your canine. That is, you need to make sure that the airline you’re traveling in has a pet-friendly policy, and it must have a cabin that’s comfortable for both you and your pooch.

Get the Right Crate

Next, you need to get a good kennel for your dog. Whether you’re taking your pet in the cabin or have them stay in the cargo area, you need to bring them in crates. And these portable dog houses must meet certain standards, some of which are set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Other criteria for canine crates are set by the airlines themselves, so make sure to take up this issue with them before your travel date.

Prep Up Your Pooch

Of course, picking the right crate wouldn’t matter if your pooch himself isn’t ready for the flight. So better train your animal buddy before your trip. This means helping them beat separation anxiety, desensitizing them to noise, and teaching them to behave inside their kennels. Giving your canine some taxing exercises a few days (or hours) before the journey is also a great idea since it helps them get rid of excess energy as well as produce mood-lifting hormones.

Monitor Water and Food Intake

As a pet parent, you must be responsible for the amount of food and water taken by your pooch before the flight. While it’s crucial that you keep your canine from getting dehydrated, you must still ensure that there isn’t too much water inside the kennel. Also, check that there are ample amounts of pet food in the crate, and make sure the chunks aren’t too large or else your dog might choke on it (Here’s a review on some of the most popular puppy foods today).

Give One Last Bathroom Break

Last but not least, make sure you let your canine relieve himself, either right before checking in to your flight (in case your pet is traveling via cargo) or just before going through the airport’s security area (in case he’s flying with you in the cabin). Best if you research the airport ahead to know where the grassy spots are. In any case, lots of airports have dog-friendly areas where they can poop or pee. The concrete sidewalk should be considered as a last resort, though, when there’s nowhere else to go.

One More Thing

Before deciding to have your pet travel on an airplane, you need to understand the airline’s baggage handling procedures. When flying with your canine, you’re practically “shipping” your animal buddy. So if you’re not okay with their policies, best if you find other means of transportation like cars and trains.

Author’s Bio:

Deinah Storm is a pet lover from the US that’s had cats and dogs all her life. When she’s not walking the dogs with her family, she spends time writing informational and interesting blogs about pets to share with pet lover communities.

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Dogs have been man’s best friend for many years, and as we learn more and more about dogs we realise that they aren’t just our friends but can also be our heros. Dogs are now trained in many ways to improve people’s lives, from helping people with PTSD to the classic sniffing out the baddies.

Dogs are lovable for a reason. They’re full of positive vibes that they make us smile effortlessly. Their fur ball bodies and witty tail wags drive away stress. Even their silly grin and boisterous howls and skimps are enough to set us in the mood.

But it’s not a one-way street because we also need to do our part to make sure that our dogs lead a happy and healthy life. Bring back the favor to them by making your home a haven for your dogs.

There are many small ways of improving your home to make your dogs life that little bit better, or to keep them a little bit safer. We all know a lot of accidents happen inside our homes, so as well as thinking of your fellow humans, make sure you’re considering your four legged friends when trying to improve safety in your home.

Feel compelled to learn more? Well, feel free to check out this informative and stunning AXA graphic.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6073″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row]]