Pet-sitting on vacation: 5 tips to make sure everything goes smoothly

You love your 4-legged friend more than anything, but sometimes you want to go on vacation and he can't always go everywhere with you. While you should be excited about leaving, there's always a part of you that worries about having to leave your pet behind. To travel with peace of mind, it's essential to prepare well for your departure and your pet's care, to ensure that everything runs smoothly in your absence. Here are our 5 tips for leaving with peace of mind, while looking after the well-being of your beloved pet.

1 - Find someone you trust to look after your pet

The obvious and essential step to leaving your pet at home on vacation is to find someone you can trust to look after it. There are several possibilities: you can ask a friend, a family member, a neighbor, or hire a professional pet-sitter. Above all, make sure this person is available for the duration of your stay, and is willing to devote time and attention to your pet. Looking after a dog or cat isn't easy if the guardian doesn't have one himself, for example. Organize a meeting beforehand to discuss your pet's habits, needs and preferences, to make sure that the person will have all the necessary information.

2 - Prepare a comfortable environment

Before you leave, set up a comfortable environment for your pet. Make sure he has a clean, quiet place to rest, with a cozy basket or comfortable bed. Make sure he has enough food, water and toys to keep him occupied while you're away. If your pet has special needs, such as medication or special care, leave clear instructions and provide all the equipment necessary for its well-being.

3 - Maintain a routine

Pets are often accustomed to a daily routine. When you go on vacation, try to maintain this routine as much as possible to reduce your pet's stress. Ask the person who will be looking after your pet to keep to the usual schedules for eating, walking and playing. Stability and predictability will help your pet feel secure and adapt more easily to your absence.

4 - Keep in touch

Yes, it's not only humans who need contact when they're away. With today's technologies, you can totally imagine doing a Facetime or a visio with your pet. Ask your pet's carer for regular updates. This will ensure that your pet is well cared for, and ease any concerns you may have. Don't forget to take advantage of these moments to show your pet that you're thinking of him and that you care about his well-being.

5 - Take out insurance when you book your trip

In the event of unforeseen circumstances before or during a trip, we often think of insuring ourselves. But if something happens to your pet and you can't leave or have to return early, you won't be covered.

That's why Europ Assistance offers the Dogs & Cats extension in our Comfort options: in the event of illness, accident, disappearance or death of your pet, the costs of cancelling your trip are covered, as are unforeseen expenses. If something happens to the person looking after your dog or cat, you're also covered in the event of cancellation or interruption of your trip.

This gives you even greater peace of mind in the knowledge that, whatever happens, you'll be covered.

Discover the Comfort option here from 58 chf all-inclusive.

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