"Have a good time. Drive safely." How many times have we heard that? Its a nice jester of thought but, how may of us really do "drive safety" ware our pets are concerned. While on road trips I have witnessed a dog driving the car. Well at least that's what it looked like at first.
Gladys Honeybuns needs some sugar from the store to bake cookies for a snack when the kids get home. She takes a quick glance at the mirror and fixes her hair, grabs her purse and car keys, looks down and notices that Spot, their beloved family beagle wants also to go along to the store and keep Gladys company. "OK", says Gladys "you can go for a ride, come on." Spot barks excitedly, wags his tail and runs to the door. Both Gladys and Spot hop in the car and away they go down the driveway and out on the road. Ol' spot is running to the windows and up onto Gladys. In the back seat, back into the front. Gladys give Spot a pat and tells him to settle down. Spot does indeed settle down right on Gladys's lap. A paw up on the steering wheel just to help Gladys keep the car steady. Have you ever seen this or maybe you can even personally relate to it? Not such a good idea for a safe drive is it? Lets think a little before we put Spot in the drivers seat and go for a joy ride. Lets do our parts to make it safe. You wouldn't think about letting your 2 year old child run and jump all over and try to drive for us so why do we let our pets get away with such behavior?
Pet Traveling Tips
Here are a few good tips on traveling with your best friend whether it be a dog or a cat. Although most cats aren't really that keen on going for car rides.
Pet Traveling Tips
A crate is a very good acceptable method for transporting your friend. See Crate Training Dogs for more information on this topic. If your pet is small enough, this wouldn't pose as to much of an inconvenience in putting the carrier into the vehicle but if he is a bit larger, this crate would need more vehicle space and could even ruin your car seats. Precautions will need to be taken at any rate or you will need to have some kind of a truck or van to transport the bigger fellows in. I wish I didn't have to mention this but I'm afraid I should. Never put your pet in the trunk.
Always make sure there is plenty of ventilation and not to windy or cold, not to hot either. Some place "you" wouldn't mind riding. And PLEASE remember an unattended car can get deadly hot on warm day's and with cold days they can freeze if not used to the outdoor conditions. Please do not let them ride in open pickup trucks. Even if you think tying them in is good enough, let me tell you, it is not. I have cared for animals that have come in as emergencies from jumping out of open vehicles, even a window. Its not pretty. I remember one particular incident when this young couple came rushing in to the clinic with their dog. It had been tied in the back of their pickup truck. As they were driving, a car came up next to them. The people inside were yelling at them to stop. It seams that their adult Rottweiler had jumped from the truck and was being dragged down the road. I could see from the injuries he had sustained, that he was running for the most part trying his best to keep up with the truck. His pads were for the most part, gone. There were no nails left on any of the feet. Other injuries were received due to this mishap. It made me for the first time in this career, sick to my stomach. If this would have been a smaller dog, most likely the owners would have no need to come to the clinic. It would have been to late. So please, always make sure your pets are as secure in your vehicle as your children would be.
Does your dog have ear problems?
You can fix this yourself and save a bundle in vet bills. Recipes and treatments you can do at home. Learn how now.
Pet Traveling Tips
It's a good idea to take your pet on a few short rides to get him or her used to the car. Some pets will never get used to the ride and it's best not to force the issue if this is the case. Just keep plenty of paper towels and a plastic bag or two in the vehicle with you when traveling. Those pre-moisten hand wipes or baby wipes that come in these nice plastic containers are great travel companions even if your friend isn't the puking type, they come in handy. If after a few attempts your pet is not going to be the joy ride kind that's OK. Just let him stay home if its just a short time you'll be away. If your going to be gone for long periods of time, check out the boarding kennels in your area or maybe a neighbor or family member could come over. At any rate both of you will be happier in the end. When you do need to take him out for a ride his carrier or crate will help to make him comfortable if he has been previously crate trained. If it is a "no go" for your pet, have your veterinarian give your pal a good exam. Explain that he is very excitable or gets nauseous when traveling. There could be some medication you could administer before a trip is necessary. Just keep in mind that any "doggy downer" could have side effects. Have your vet explain fully what these could be, per the medications dispensed. You may need to take some practice runs to get the medication does correct. All animals handle drugs differently and it can take some time to see what dosage would be good for your pet. I really don't suggest you just give the drugs and go. You could be in for a bad experience. There are a few pets that need to be medicated just to come in and see the vet. They get so scared and worked up that it is really a dangerous situation. The medication really helps the pet relax and it's not nearly as traumatic of an experience for them. (And the clinic staff.)
Pet Traveling Tips
Feeding should be kept to a small meal about a third of their normal portion. Serve about 1-2 hours before you start out. Be sure to give him plenty of time before hand to relieve himself. Take fresh water along with some kind of a dish for him to drink from. Offer small amounts. Listen to your dog. Watch his actions. If your pet is usually the good rider type and he starts to get anxious or start to whine, this is probably a good clue that they need to go out. Some dogs will do this if they are getting car sick. You night want to stop and take him out for some air.
Pet Traveling Tips
Always travel with your pets collar on. Id tags with a telephone number where you can be reached and rabies tags do help to get these guys back to us in case they should wonder off. A microchip is another good idea. Have your pets leash along and always put it on before letting him out of the vehicle. Always remember to take it off before putting him back into his crate so he doesn't get tangled and hurt himself. A picture of him and his health records can also come in handy on long journeys. If you will be traveling out of the country a health certificate will be a must have for your four legged friend. You can get this from your vet.
Pet Traveling Tips
Have all his vaccines up to date. The last thing you want is to have your buddy get some disease while out having a good time. Keep in mind, depending on where you are traveling, the risk of certain diseases may be higher than where you live now. It would be a good idea to talk to your vet. Tell her/him, where you are going and ask if there are any health concerns in that area. Vaccination records should be with you at all times. You just never know when you'll need them. Take the hassle out of having to call your vet and prove your pet is up to date on shots.
Pet Traveling Tips
Please have respect for others. You know your pet and love him dearly but, there will be others you come into contact with that just don't care for dogs or are afraid of them. Please, wherever you go in public, Keep That Leash On and keep you pet under control. I know you'll like to show off your "best friend" and show how smart he is with all the training you have worked on but really, there is a time and a place for this and an off lead dog in a public place could really get you into trouble. There are signs up in the clinic where I work, "Please keep your pet on a leash". I am surprised how many people think that does not pertain to them. Even at a place where pets are welcome, others might not want your pet coming over to sniff theirs. Maybe you should think twice about this point too. Have you ever gone into a human hospital or doctors office for a checkup or visit and found you've gotten sick just from being in the area of other sick people? Well the same holds true for our pets. Many sick patients are at the vets office and you could be setting your beloved up to a life threatening illness.
Pet Traveling Tips for Airline Travel
You may want or need to place your pet on a airline for traveling. Follow all the tips above. You will definitely need a health certificate for your pet. You can get this at your veterinarians office. There is a fee for the exam and paperwork. A special certified pet airline travel carrier will be needed. Contact the airline you will be using and ask them about the carrier. Some airlines will rent them for your use. I know they used to anyway. Call ahead to your destination area. Tell them you will be flying your pet. Ask them for all the information you will need to enter their state or country.
Pets are placed in a special containment area on the plane. Ask and make sure its not just a cold cargo area. You will not be able to have your pet with you. Not even under your seat, stuffed in your jacket or purse type bag. For this reason, you should see how very important it is to have your pet use to being confined in a carrier. I really doubt that there is an airline that will let you have a carry on animal. Call around and check it out. You may just get lucky. And please, if you do find one, share it with the rest of us. Send it through on the suggestion form below.
Do you have a suggestion for pet traveling tips? If so, why not click the link, fill out the form below and tell me about it. Please be sure to let me know your suggestion is for the traveling page.
Suggestion Form
Pet Traveling Tips
