Traveling With Your Pet- Peggy Henderson

Summertime is vacation time! For many of us, leaving our beloved pets at home or at a boarding kennel while we travel is out of the question. So, if you enjoy trips that include your four-legged companion, here are some things to think about before you hit the road and during your trip. This article mainly addresses car travel with your dog, but can also be helpful if you include your cat on vacation.

Before you leave on vacation, make sure your dog's vaccines are current, especially rabies. He should also be treated for fleas, ticks, and heartworm prior to departure. If necessary, make an appointment with your veterinarian for a physical and to get any vaccines up to date. If you are traveling out of state, it is the law that you obtain a health certificate from your vet. This should be done within ten days prior to the trip.

Keep all vaccination records, health records, contact information (pet's name, your name, address, phone numbers, emergency contact numbers, etc), any special diet or medication your pet is taking in a safe place, either with your own papers or taped to the dog crate, if you are using one.

Pack a simple first aid kit with your pet's other "luggage" of food and water bowls, toys, and blankets. The kit should include an assortment of bandages, antiseptic cream, phone numbers to your vet, poison control, a list of medications your pet is currently taking, and perhaps some mild sedatives and antidiarrheal medications your vet may have prescribed for the trip.

 

Your pet should wear a nylon, or better yet, a leather collar with an id tag, rabies tag, and travel info tag. Never leave a choke chain on your dog while traveling! If your pet is not microchipped, consider having this done before your trip. Microchipping is inexpensive and painless. Many pets get lost while on vacation with their owners. Although this is not a pleasant thing to think about, it is a good idea to be prepared if your pet does get separated from you. To increase the chances of a safe and quick return, include a recent photo and a detailed written description of your pet with its pet papers.

If you will be staying in a hotel or motel, check beforehand which places will accommodate animals. If you will be camping with your dog, you will need to be aware of certain things. Definitely make sure that your dog has had a good flea and tick treatment applied before the trip. Also consider vaccinating him for Lyme disease (if your dog has never had a Lyme disease vaccine, he should have received his first injection at least six weeks prior to the trip, with a follow-up booster four weeks later). Always keep your pet in sight and on a leash in the campground and on trails. Remember that the great outdoors also increases the chances of encounters with wildlife such as skunks, raccoons, snakes, etc that can bite or otherwise injure your pet. Be considerate of other campers. Also keep in mind that National Parks do not allow pets on trails. Most of all, make sure you are familiar with the rules before taking your pet camping.

While traveling, keep your pet restrained with a harness or inside a pet carrier/crate. Make sure that the crate Traveling from page 4

Has adequate ventilation, and that it is big enough for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. The bottom of the crate should be lined with a towel or other absorbent material. Write your pet's name, your name, address, and phone number on the crate with a permanent marker. Never put a leash inside the crate as your pet could get tangled in it. Never allow your pet to ride unrestrained in the back of a pickup truck! Also, allowing your pet to stick its head out the window of a moving vehicle can cause dirt and debris from getting in its eyes, nose, and ears.

 

Remember that your pet needs potty breaks just like you do on longer trips, and be allowed to stretch his legs and get a drink. On extended car trips, it is a good idea to stop every couple of hours, to give yourself a break as well as your pet.

All in all, being well prepared ahead of time can make traveling with your pet an enjoyable experience for all. You spare yourself the guilt for leaving your friend at home with a sitter or in a kennel, and your pet will feel more included as a member of its pack. Happy road tripping! -PH