Traveling with Pets

 Dogs like to nap often, even on the road!

Almost twenty-five percent of us will take our beloved dog(s) with us on summer vacation, according to a survey by the American Pet Products Association. It goes without saying that you need to make sure that wherever you are staying will also welcome Fido. Even if a resort or condo or motel allows dogs, they may have restrictions, such as a weight limit of 50 lbs. If you’re making part of the trip up as you go along, you may want to bookmark www.petswelcome.com so that you can find places nearby that allow pets. This site not only reveals pet-friendly cottages, B&Bs, inns, cabins, and hotel/motels, but they specify all types allowed since many places also allow cats and birds.

This month is National Pet Preparedness Month because summer brings an increase in pet accidents and injuries. This is primarily due to owners miscalculating the effects of summer heat. A dog cannot stay outside in the summer like he can for much of the rest of the year. So don’t try to take him to the beach for the day or for a long walk during the middle of the day. Speaking of which, did you know that dogs can get sunburned? At highest risk are pets with thin hair and nonpigmented skin. Also, the most commonly sunburned areas are on the bridge of the nose, tips of the ears, and abdomen.

Likewise, he cannot be left in an unattended vehicle so don’t plan to leave him in the car while you visit an attraction or grab a bite to eat. A dog can suffer a heat stroke in a matter of minutes, especially older dogs or dogs with heart conditions. To learn more on this subject and about emergency pet care, go to http://www.redcross.org/pets

Bark parks are a great place to hang out with your dog in a safe environment. These dog parks are the fastest-growing kind of city parks. There’s been a 35% increase between 2005 – 2010. Ask at the tourism center to find the closest one or visit http://www.dogpark.com

Be sure to keep the contact information for your vet or your pet’s medical records when traveling. You should have an ID tag on your cat and dog. It’s a good idea to make the contact number your cell phone so that when traveling if your pet gets loose and someone finds him, they can reach you. Another good idea is to use ziploc bags marked with each day “monday,” etc. that are filled with that day’s kibble and treats. Always keep a container of water handy and give to the dog often while traveling. They can dehydrate quickly, especially large breed dogs. It’s easy to forget about this while on the road, so you may want to set the timer on your wristwatch or set the bowl at your feet as a good reminder.

Here’s to Fido’s best vacation ever…