In this economy we’re all looking for ways to cut back. For some, that means vacationing closer to home, which has an upside. Shorter car trips, combined with more and more pet-friendly places popping up make bringing your pet along more feasible than ever before.

Here are a few important do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when traveling with your pet.

Do:

• Mention your pet to the hotel’s reservations desk at the time of booking. This will allow them to prepare for your stay, which might mean getting you a room with easy access to the outdoors or preparing any “pet amenities” they may offer.
• Make sure that your pet is safely restrained while you’re driving. Not only will it make the ride safer for your pet, but also everyone else on the road. Unrestrained pets cause more than 30,000 vehicle accidents annually, according to an American Automobile Association study.
• Keep your pet hydrated throughout the trip. It’s extremely important to make sure your pet always has access to water.
• Make sure your pet is comfortable during the ride. Bring along some of their favorite toys and treats. Also, if they tend to get stressed during trips, consider giving them a natural supplement like Vet’s Best Travel Calm to gently relax their nerves.

Don’t:

• Travel with pets without making sure they are healthy enough for the trip. Some pets, especially those older in age, don’t respond well to change. A quick visit to the vet is never a bad idea before a trip to make certain your pet is healthy enough to travel.
• Let your dog off the leash, unless you’re at a dog park.
• Let your dog bark too much or get too hyper at the hotel or at a restaurant. Granted it’s a dog, so barking is part of the deal, but even the biggest animal lovers don’t want their meals interrupted by a curious dog or to be woken up by barking.

For more pet travel do’s and don’ts visit, http://www.pawfriendly.com/community/pet-travel

Isn’t summer great! Warm weather and best of all, vacation time! So pack up your bags, ask your neighbors to pick up your mail and set off on a much-deserved getaway. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your pet along!

Nowadays more people than ever are vacationing with their pets and as a result, more businesses are accommodating four-legged travelers. The days of being limited by pet restrictions are coming to an end. Thankfully there are tons of pet-friendly hotels out there, as well as activities like walking tours, water parks and hiking trails.

But there has still always been one issue.  What about dinner? Or any meal for that matter? The hotel doesn’t allow you to leave your pet in the room unattended, so how about taking your travel buddy with you to grab a bite?

Did you know that more and more restaurants are allowing guests to bring their pet along? Many websites like dogfriendly.com and petfriendlytravel.com list restaurants and bars throughout the country that allow pet owners to bring their furry travel buddies along for every meal of the day. These sites also include other pet-friendly businesses and travel listing, from camping to lodging to pet stores.

Health laws usually limit pets to outside dining areas only, so most of the pet-friendly restaurants and venues that allow animals offer outdoor or patio seating. Pet are also not allowed to eat or drink out of restaurant glasses or dishes, therefore remember to bring your dog’s own food dish or ask the waiter for a disposable bowl.

Some restaurants even have special menu items for pets like the “Dog Days Burger” at Bully Ranch in Colorado and the “Ham Barker Helper” at the Tin Shed Garden Café in Portland, Oregon.

So this year, take a break and celebrate summer by enjoying some relaxing time with your loyal pet!

The relationship we share with our pets is so strong that it really does help relieve stress. Numerous studies have shown it, but ask any pet owner and they’ll tell you without hesitating that their pet helps them out when they’re feeling overwhelmed.

As the world has gotten more unpredictable the one thing that never changes is the unquestioned love and affection we get from our pets. They get excited every time they see us.  They can listen endlessly to our problems then look at you with a look that says “it is all going to be okay; lets go out and play.” This simplicity can counter a high stress lifestyle. Here are a few other ways that pets can help you reduce stress:

• Exercise: Burn off stress by taking your dog for a walk or playing a good old fashion game of fetch.
• Love: Cuddling with a pet on your lap will help you feel loved and needed during those lonely times.
• Social: Animals have a way of breaking the ice by making people more social. Just take a look at any dog park!
• Well-being: Caring for a pet contributes to a general sense of well-being.

Many different kinds of pets can help you reduce stress. For the most part, the type just depends on what kind of animals you like. Here’s a list of some pets that are known for their stress reducing affects:

• Dogs: They’re loyal, loving and of course, man’s best friend.
• Cats: They’re easy to own and care for and will happily cuddle up next to you.
• Fish: A tank full of colorful fish adds life and relaxation to any room.
• Birds: Their joyful singing will help you feel better instantly.

Now that summer is in full swing, the temperature is high enough to cause problems for your pet. Enjoying the warm weather can be a lot of fun, but fun can turn to disaster if proper precautions aren’t taken to protect pets from the heat.

First and foremost, keep your pets hydrated! It’s just as important for animals to drink plenty of water as it is for us, especially this time of year. Speaking of, never ever leave your pet in the car. We’ve all heard this before, but the temperature inside a vehicle can rise quickly – about 30 degrees a minute, according to the Humane Society – making it a dangerous place to leave your beloved pet.

Not only should you have plenty of water for your pet, but also make sure they have a shady place to get out of the sun. Be carful not to over-exercise them, and when it’s super hot outside, keep them inside.

It’s also very important to never let your pet drink from puddles in the street. They may contain antifreeze, which has an appealing, sweet taste to animals, but is extremely toxic. Just make sure to stay alert whenever you’re walking so they don’t try to sneak a sip.