It’s true what they say that when you add a new family member, you double, triple, or quadruple the work, time and money! All worth it, though, to have all three of our pets under one roof with us when we travel. We used to have a cat sitter come here and we’d send Athena to my in-laws. Then we got Astro and would sometimes board the dogs or still send them with our in-laws. However, Astro recently had surgery so he’s been going everywhere with us. Not to mention that we spent Thanksgiving at my parent’s farm WITH my in-laws. That means no care for the dogs, so we brought them with us!
Traveling with pets to go home for the holidays should not be taken lightly, especially if you have a far distance to go. Luckily, BJ’s Wholesale Club makes it easy, as well as these practical tips that will ensure smooth travels.
Home for the Holidays: 5 Tips for Traveling with Pets:
1 – Talk about all travel plans with your vet. Luckily this won’t be Astro’s first trip because that would be a whole other stressor. Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or car, you must think about your pets. And also, your destination matters too! Plus, some pets get motion sick which is no fun for anyone.
2 – Put in the extra effort to make sure everyone is cared for. Is where you’re staying pet-friendly, and more importantly – pet-safe? Are you having guests with their own pets or with any kinds of allergies or fears that might make life with your pet harder? Make quiet and calm introductions, and if children are involved, supervise the early interactions.
3 – If you’re traveling, make sure to travel on less busy days. This will lead to less chaos overall, and maybe more chances for quieter walks and potty breaks for your pet. (and you) Avoid the Wednesday before or Sunday after Thanksgiving.
4 – Safety first, of course. Pets can be more curious in new places. Before you go, make sure you know nearby vets and animal hospitals at your destination and make sure that your tag and microchip information are up to date first.
5 – Get everything you need at BJ’s and bring it on the road! Pets don’t always adjust as well as we do, so changing food and treats too much can lead to issues. Bring familiar bedding, a favorite treat, and if you introduce a new pet bed, make it comfortable at home first. Here are a couple of items we need for our travel with pets:
- Pee Pee Pads. They are great for puppies and adult dogs, and packages include 100 pads with 5-layer leak-proof technology.
- NEW Waggin Train Sweet Potato Dog Treats. These are so awesome for the dogs! Sweet potato wrapped in white meat chicken. What could be better for dogs?
- Chaise Lounger. Boy do we love this! It’s warm and cuddly and even has a removable squeaky chew toy for dogs. This gives them play and comfort. This one is a real win for us. We like to use it at home and take it while we travel.
And that is why BJ’s is always the place to go this holiday season. They offer a large selection of pet food brands that cater to your pet’s needs without breaking your budget. And with pets to get gifts for and to also travel with these days, we’re happy to have a place that has a wide assortment of food and accessories at unbeatable values. As a member, you can shop wet and dry pet food, treats that support dental health, and specialty foods that cater to weight management or complete nutrition. Not to mention that families can save up to $500 a year by shopping at BJ’s.
I love going to BJ’s during the holidays. I love that they’re committed to offering the best value of any supermarket or club, and members save 25% off grocery store prices every day. BJ’s is the only membership warehouse club to accept manufacturer’s coupons. And if you join BJ’s today, we’ll both receive $25 gift cards just for signing up!
My refer-a-friend link invites you to join BJ’s today and earn a $25 gift card! Also, BJ’s offers convenient shopping options including in-Club shopping, BJs.com and the BJ’s mobile app. You can save money and time by filling up your gas tanks at BJ’s Gas® with some of the lowest gas prices around. Make it your one-stop-shopping for your family and family pets!
