It’s perfectly normal to want to take your dog with you when you go away, after all, your dog is a part of your family. These days it’s easy to find a vacation package to suit your dog as many people choose to take their dog on vacation with them. However, if you have a dog that is pregnant, injured or sick, it may make more sense to leave them at home as travelling could distress them. Ultimately, you want to leave your dog in a situation where they will be the most comfortable. If your dog is in a situation where he is okay to travel, then consider the below when you prepare for your trip.
– If you have any concerns, take your dog to your vet for a check-up to ensure that he is healthy enough to travel and is up-to-date with any required vaccinations.
– If your dog hasn’t been micro-chipped then this is something you should consider doing before you travel with your pet. Your vet will be able to do this for you and it is a procedure which is painless.
– Make sure you are fully aware of any rules or regulations regarding pets. If you plan on staying in a hotel or something similar, then make sure that pets are allowed.
– Considering your dog training needs. If you are having private dog training or group Ddg training sessions, it is good practice not to upset a dog’s routine. Maybe plan your trip around the training session or speak to the trainer to see if there is anything you should be doing while away.
When traveling
Although it’s easier to travel by car than by plane, you still need to be aware of the following:
– To avoid your dog being sick, make sure you feed your dog a good few hours before you travel. Also, take your dog for some exercise well before you travel.
– Never leave your dog alone in a car. Even on slightly warmer days, dogs can die when left inside a parked car as it’s important to remember that a car gets hotter than the temperature outside. It does not take long for an animal to suffer from heatstroke
– If your dog is prone to car sickness then speak to your vet before you travel. Your vet may be able to provide you with some remedies that you can try to help your dog overcome car sickness.
– Remember to have both water and ice for when you stop for a rest. Also, remember to plan and appropriate rest so that you can take your dog for a walk.
– Make sure your dog is restrained when he is in the car. You can either use a canine seat belt or a kennel for this.
– Never let your dog put his head outside of a window. There are many injuries to dogs each year because they have had their heads out the window while moving.
Once you have arrived
Dogs love routines and this is still the case, even when they are away from home. Therefore, it is important that you still go for regular walks, your dog has access to fresh food and water and also has plenty of playtimes. Ideally, you want to try and provide your dog with the same food that they eat at home to avoid upsetting his stomach.
