Traveling With Dogs On Vacation

Traveling With Dogs On Vacation – In many cases, traveling with pets is not as difficult as traveling with children! It just requires common sense and forward planning. The information below applies to cats and dogs. If you have an exotic pet, check with your vet for details.

Before traveling with any pet, consider the animal’s general health and whether it is comfortable being confined in a vehicle or camper. Here are some general guidelines:

Traveling With Dogs On Vacation

Stop every two hours to exercise your pet. It will also be a healthy break for you. Don’t wait for the animal to become anxious or restless before stopping, and when you do, be sure to give the animal plenty of time to rest and get the necessary exercise.

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Always carry the rabies certificate. Many campgrounds (all national parks) and Canadian and Mexican border officials will not allow pets without proof of rabies vaccination.

Provide a comfortable crate. Dogs and cats naturally feel more secure when they have their own space. Loose pets are potentially dangerous. Even unexpected braking can cause them to fall off the seats or become airborne. When packing, leave enough space around the crate for air circulation.

Buckle up. Whether your pet is in a crate or not, keep it safe. Pet stores sell harnesses that work with lap and shoulder belts. It is most effective for pets weighing 25 pounds or more. Small pets do best in a crate that is attached to the seat or firmly attached to the floor.

Attach the strap or harness before opening the door. This applies to both cats and dogs. In the confusion and excitement of a strange place, pets often run into traffic or run away.

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Get a litter box for your cat. Some cats will relieve themselves when the leash is gone, so carry a litter box when you travel. One way is to tie the cat’s litter box to the back of the SUV and let him go there when he feels like cleaning. Another option is to have a crate large enough to hold a small litter box on one side. Your cat will feel more at home if you don’t start the trip with fresh litter. Allow it to be used a few times before packing it away.

Water, water, water! If you are traveling with a pet, always carry a liter of fresh water. Although your pet may love to travel, excitement and stress can cause dehydration. A pet also cannot be taken out onto uncharted waters at a rest stop or campsite. Give him a drink whenever you stop. Pet stores sell travel water dishes that are difficult to tip or splash. Try freezing a small water dish ahead of time and let your pet lick the ice when it’s thirsty.

Get temporary ID tags. If someone finds your pet, they can’t reach you at home while you’re on vacation. Temporary tags can provide the phone number of your campsite, cell phone, or a friend or family member who is usually at home.

Take your pet’s normal diet. Changing food while traveling can cause discomfort or illness. Animals usually eat less when it’s hot or stressed from travel.

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Bad hair day? Long fur may seem warm, but it often helps keep animals insulated and cool. A trim is fine, but unless your pet usually has a buzz cut, don’t do it just because it’s hot outside.

Not everyone loves animals, not even friendly ones. This is one of the reasons why your pet should be kept on a leash in public places and camping grounds. Always clean up after your pet, even if it doesn’t seem necessary, or other people don’t. Carry a bag and a small shovel, or try this:

If you plan to leave your pet in your RV while sightseeing or shopping, leave the air conditioning on, especially if your unit is parked in the sun. It is unwise to leave an animal unattended in an expandable trailer. They can cause very expensive damage to screens and can be avoided.

Never leave your pet unattended in a hot car or RV. Dogs, in particular, have a much lower tolerance for heat than humans. Because they only sweat between their toes and their pants, dogs and cats overheat quickly. Even on a comfortable day, your car’s interior temperature can break 100 degrees within minutes, especially in the sun.

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If you must leave your pet alone, park in the shade, with at least two windows open for air circulation (but not so far that the animal can jump out). Add a bowl of water and return it in five minutes. When it’s time to eat, consider using the drive-thru or eating in shifts, with a family member staying with your pet, preferably out of the car.

If your pet appears to be heat stressed (panting excessively, staggering, shivering), immediately move it to a shaded area and gently pour water over the animal’s head and body. Provide water to drink, but do not allow the animal to suck. This can cause vomiting and excessive dehydration. After a few laps, remove the bowl and wait a few minutes before letting the animal drink more.

Although plain water will replace most electrolytes, an electrolyte-rich drink such as Pedialyte (found in the baby section of grocery and drug stores) can help your pet recover from dehydration more quickly. I will help. You can also give your dog a sports drink like Gatorade to replenish electrolytes. Many dogs love the sweet taste…cats, not so much.

Dehydration is the result of dehydration, overheating, stress, vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms include dry mouth, sunken eyes, loss of skin elasticity and extreme fatigue.

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To check for dehydration, feel the skin along your pet’s back. It should click back into place when you release. If the skin remains in a ridge, your pet is dehydrated. This is an emergency. Take the animal to a veterinarian immediately.

Prolonged exposure to the cold (especially if the animal is not used to extreme weather) can be dangerous. Feet and face are especially prone to cold. Consider fitting your dog or cat with a proper harness, which is sold at most pet stores. Pay attention to your pet’s communication about what they can and can’t tolerate.

Like young children, young dogs and cats are prone to car sickness. Not feeding your pet for six to eight hours before a trip will help keep his stomach calm. Watering is good.

Pets are less likely to get motion sickness when they can see the scenery going by. Try giving them a window seat and open the window enough to let in fresh air. It also helps to calm the stomach.

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Over-the-counter Dramamine is an effective motion sickness preventative for cats and dogs, as well as humans. If your pet suffers from car sickness, ask your vet about administering this medication.

When traveling with an animal, always make reservations ahead of time so you can be sure the campground you choose allows pets. Campground policies vary. Some limit the number or size of pets, and most have specific animal handling rules. Check these policies early to avoid surprises or disappointment.

Your pet will welcome opportunities to explore with you, but use common sense and courtesy. Put it on a bandage and clean up after them. In tourist areas, many shops welcome well-behaved pets, but always ask first. To be safe, buy in pairs, so one person can wait outside with the pet while the other is at the store. You won’t be able to bring your pet into the restaurant, but you can bring it with you if there’s outside seating. If you do, shorten his leash so he doesn’t interfere with other diners. Better yet, pick up a sandwich and eat it in the park.

Many dogs love to swim, so make sure you carry an extra towel. Do not allow your dog to swim in stagnant water or in fast-moving water where there are currents and/or rocks. Do not let your dog swim in the swimming pool at the campsite. On beaches, follow posted rules. Monitor your dog closely and clean up afterward. Do not let dogs or cats drink salt water. This can make them sick and cause dehydration. Always carry fresh water with you.

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Pets bring joy and richness to life at home and on the road. Dogs in particular would rather be with their owners than anywhere else. Teach your dog or cat (or both!) to travel well, and you’ll reap the rewards of their special companionship wherever the road takes you. The most important things to remember are to carry water with you and leave nothing behind. We have been traveling with our dogs for about 13 years. I’m one of those dog moms who feels that a family vacation just isn’t much of a vacation without our precious furry family members! We learned a lot and made more than a few mistakes along the way trying to have the perfect vacation with the dogs. At this point we’re planning a great vacation with a dog, and the dog travel accessories that go with it! We know exactly how to plan and prepare.

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