Traveling With Your Dog

Summer is in full swing, which means many of us are gearing up to go on vacation. While you are mapping out road trips, booking flights, making hotel reservations, and making checklists, it’s essential to factor in your fur babies if they will be accompanying you. Traveling with your dog takes a little extra preparation. From making preparations with the airline to confirming that your hotel of choice is pet friendly to renting a vehicle with enough space, these are all key details for a comfortable vacation with your dog.  Safety should be a top priority.

Here are a few safety tips for successful pet travel:

• Make sure your pet is insured – having pet insurance comes in handy for unexpected illness or injury.
• Get your dog microchipped – in the event your pup is missing, this would be very useful.
• If traveling in a car, plan to make frequent stops – your dog will want to get out and stretch. It also helps with preventing car sickness.
• Keep those heads inside – While some dogs enjoy hanging their heads out the window, they could be injured by debris or become sick from the air (cold air) being forced into their lungs.
• Don’t leave them alone in the car, especially in the heat.
• Be sure your dog is up to date with all of its shots.
• If on a flight – book the same flight as your dog and choose a direct flight when possible.

Another thing to be mindful of while traveling by car is to keep your pup out of the front seat. Dogs should not roam around the vehicle.  It is also a good idea to purchase a doggy seatbelt or put them in an anchored crate. Be sure to make your pet feel at home, which can be done by packing their favorite bedding or toy.

Going into the summer months, also be conscious of having your dog out in the heat. Keep them hydrated and watch for signs of heatstroke and exhaustion.  Some signs that your dog may be falling ill from the heat are excessive panting, trouble breathing, diarrhea, and more drooling than usual. Your dog’s vet can be a helpful resource on ways to have a safe adventure with your dog.

However you choose to travel, taking your four-legged family addition along for the ride can be exciting. Being mindful of safety precautions and adequately planning will make all the difference.

Previous Article: https://exceptionalpetsitting.com/dog-friendly-restaurants-and-bars-in-dallas-tx/