Feedback Friday: Calming an Upset Pet
July 18, 2008 by Heather R.
Filed under Pets
We’re going camping next weekend and plan to take the dogs with us!
We went last summer as well and it was Chip and Honey’s first camping experience and they didn’t handle it well. We kept food and water available to them at all times but I don’t think either of them ate the whole weekend — it was rough!
We knew they were stressed after just a few hours but we weren’t sure how to calm them down and get them to eat. We gave them just as much attention as we usually do and brought their crates to sleep in, just like they’re used to. Nothing seemed to help.
This year we’re thinking of bringing a little bit of beef or chicken broth with us to maybe make their dry kibble seem a little more appetizing and jump start their appetites! We’re staying a day longer than last year as well and really don’t want them to go that long without eating since we know it can be really detrimental to such small dogs. Ideally we’d like them to get used to the experience because we’d like to head off to the mountains more often!
What would you do in this situation?
As sad as it is, when we moved from Las Vegas to Denver (making a stop in Texas to drop off my Mom’s things and her dogs!) we brought snacks to entice the dogs to eat. The ones that sort of look like bacon, and other sort of soft treats that they would eat without hesitation.
Of course, we offered them regular food as well, but they hardly ever ate it on the trip. Water was the big thing, to make sure they didn’t get dehydrated. Hopefully this time they’ll remember what’s going on and be more relaxed. (And then YOU can relax!)
AWESOME! For some weird reason I hadn’t even thought of using treats to jump their appetites.