Traveling with your pet this season: Why cleanliness matters

Everyone seems to head home for the holidays. As you’re celebrating with family members, you shouldn’t forget a critical part of your household: your pet. Bringing your pet along on your travels might be equal parts fun and a hassle, but you should always remember to clean up. Cleanliness matters, and you can keep yourself and your pet healthy by following the right cleaning measures.

Knowing how to travel with your pets this holiday season can keep you safe and illness-free. Even though pets don’t often transmit illnesses and diseases to their owners, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Learn why it’s important to keep your pet clean and how to tidy the space around you. It’ll be worth the time investment to know that everything around you is sanitary.

Why Cleanliness Matters Through the Holidays and Beyond

Humans will receive more illnesses from shaking hands with another human than they can from their pet’s kisses or scratches, but it’s always nice to be prepared and know just what you’re up against. If your dog plays outside often, they might have germs caked under their claws that could transmit to you after an accidental scratch that goes deep enough.

Cleanliness matters more than ever when spending time with your pet in an enclosed space. When traveling with your pet, strive to clean up after them whenever you can. Washing your hands frequently can work wonders to keep yourself safe from illnesses during the most sickness-prone time of the year. Though it might feel like a chore at first, you’ll feel better when cleaning up after yourself and your pet.

Cleaning up might ease some of the strain on your mental health as well. Some people feel greater relief when they clean up, and since dogs can sense human emotions and reflect on them, your dog may share in your joy once you’re in a clean living space. Plus, your pet will have more space to move around in an RV, and a clean hotel room means that they can relax without worrying about stepping on something.

If you happen to stay in a pet-friendly hotel, make sure to ask about their cleaning procedures. If a hotel room isn’t cleaned well enough, your dog might pick up on another dog’s scent, or you might come in contact with germs you weren’t expecting. Many hotels have sanitization policies that include being transparent about their entire cleaning routines, so it’s worth asking before you book somewhere to stay.

How Do I Travel With My Pets This Holiday Season — As Safely As Possible?

You can travel with your pets this holiday season rather easily. All you need to do is ease your pet into your car or RV, then get on the road. If your dog gets anxious during car rides, it might seem difficult to take them anywhere with you. Still, you have options. Playing the right music can calm them down and help them enjoy the ride, and having someone they love close for reassurance is bound to help them relax. Remember to prioritize safety over everything else.

To keep your dog safe in the car, make sure their movement is limited in the backseat. You might get a leash attachment that will work as a seatbelt to keep your pet safe and in one place in the event of an accident. Another way to secure your pet is by putting them in their crate, where they’ll have a safe and stable ride to your next destination.

Furthermore, keep your dog safe from extra germs by cleaning their items frequently, especially if they’ve been on the floor in several different locations. Bowls should be washed out after every use, and you may want to clean their toys every time they play with them in an unfamiliar space. Your pup will be happy that you’re prioritizing their safety and health above all else.

Why Is It Important to Keep Your Pet Clean?

It is important to keep your pet clean for your own health and safety, but it’s also essential that your pet feels comfortable. Cleanliness matters, even to your dog. Here are a few reasons why you should aim for cleanliness above all else when it comes to taking care of your dog, both at home and when traveling for the holidays.

1. Prevents the Spread of Germs

Germs can pass between pets and people pretty easily. You may feel tempted to have your dog’s food in your kitchen alongside yours, but it’s best not to have it in your preparation station so you can keep things separate and not cross-contaminate anything. You should take care to wash your dog’s items often, especially if you come into contact with them frequently.

2. Will Make Them Happy

No animal is comfortable when they’re dirty. Many dogs love to get dirty and play around in the mud, but they don’t want to stay that way. Cleanliness matters, even to rambunctious dogs. Dried and caked-on dirt isn’t comfortable, and your pet may not fully be able to rest while they’re dirty. A clean dog is a happy dog, as they’ll be comfortable and can go wherever they want without people backing away from them because of the dirt they carry.

3. So They’ll Smell Nice

Dogs who smell nice get more attention from humans, and you’ll be more likely to let them snuggle in the bed or on the couch with you. One way to prevent smells is to brush your dog’s teeth every day, which will tackle most of the bacteria that cause halitosis, that awful smell your pup may have when they breathe in your face. Make sure your dog smells nice, so they can get attention from everyone.

Why Cleanliness Matters — In Pets and Humans

Nobody likes cuddling with a dirty dog. Your pup is bound to get messy during your holiday travels, especially if he gets to play with other canine friends during your adventures. Just remember, cleanliness matters, so it’s best to have a plan for how you’ll sanitize things, especially when you’re in an enclosed space with your pet. As long as you keep things neat and tidy, you shouldn’t have to worry about illnesses this winter, and your pet will be able to enjoy their cleanliness, too.