Happy August from Linda Lou, your devoted dog blogger! Road trip season is in full swing, and lots of humans are traveling with their pets this year. I can always tell when my humans are getting ready to hit the road. They run around like crazy people, double- and triple-checking everything to make sure we don’t forget a thing! We just went on a short road trip, and this time I watched them very carefully and took notes, so that I can pass along some knowledge to all my friends! Here’s what I learned about traveling with pets…
First of all, make sure your pet actually likes to travel (if you have a choice in bringing them). Nothing will make travel more miserable than a Corgi who gets car sick or Puffy the Persian who becomes petrified just thinking about the world outside her domain. If your pet gets car sick but looooooves going to the cabin, ask your vet for some medication to help ease the travel blahs.
Let’s talk about packing! This is my favorite part of the whole process. Packing can be fun, especially if you make a list in advance. Make sure that you have enough of your pet’s medications, food, treats, and bottled water. Toys, bowls, blankies and a bed are always appreciated. I love that my mom packs my blankies, because it gives me a sense of home away from home. Another important tip — check to make sure that your furry travel companions are up to date on all of their vaccines. It’s even a good idea to bring a printed vaccine certificate with you, just in case. And definitely keep your pets current on heartworm and flea/tick prevention. If you’re going down South, fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are abundant! And we all know how tick-infested the great MN outdoors can be. Last but not least, don’t leave home without a properly-fitted collar, tags, a leash or harness, and poop bags!
Now that we have determined that the family pet is going on vacation with you, and you’re packed and ready to go, let’s discuss car safety. A pet should always be confined in some way in your vehicle, and not left to run and jump all over. Curiosity at a rest stop may be more than Buster can handle, and it would not be good if he snuck out of the car while you’re using the restroom! We also have to consider the possibility of an accident. A pet who is not restrained by a doggy seatbelt or a carrier could be thrown from the car, or could run away because of fear. My uncle is a State Trooper, and he told us pups that we should never be allowed to ride on our humans’ laps. Basically if an airbag were to be deployed during an accident, we would get very badly smushed.
I mentioned that you should pack pet tags and vaccine/medical information when you travel, and you may be wondering that’s necessary. Tags are super important in case your pet gets lost. That’s the only thing (other than a microchip) that links your pet to you! A rabies tag also tells the community that your pet is vaccinated. Medical information is important in case your pet has an emergency. These happen, and if you are prepared for them the stress level can be minimized. If you have to rush your pup into an out-of-town clinic, their doctors will really appreciate having pet records and medical history to immediately review. Take a peek at this other blog post for more tips about preparing for emergencies.
Happy trails!
Linda Lou the Blog Dog
