Animals are family, and for most people, the phrase “family is forever” holds its true meaning. As such, people tend to put a lot of trust in their pets—even when they want to travel with them. However, just like you would consider vaccination and immunization for your children before letting them venture out into a public place, some precautions can be followed when traveling with your pet.
Traveling with your pet is a rewarding experience, but before you embark on it, you must ensure your pet’s safety. With some safety guidelines in mind, you can rest assured that your family is safe while exploring new places together! To ensure the complete security of your pet dogs, you need to learn more about some holiday safety guidelines.
- Food Packing Guide For Your Dog
When traveling with their pets, many people like to bring along their dog’s favorite food as a reward. While bringing your pet with you seems a great idea, you need to follow some pet safety tips to make things happen for you. Holiday foods are more likely to cause digestive issues in your pets. Therefore, you must avoid feeding your dog foods that can disturb its gut. Make sure your dog stays away from these below-shared foods this holiday season:
- Pork – Even if there are no genuine pork issues, it is better to avoid certain meats when traveling.
- Cheese – Cheese is also one food that dogs should avoid. It has a high lactose content, and excessive consumption can cause major digestive issues for your pets.
- Honey – Honey has more sugar than glucose and fructose and thus can affect the blood sugar level of your dog. Therefore, bringing love along when traveling is not the best idea.
- Maple Syrup / Sugar Cane Juice – As is the case with honey, sweeteners in maple syrup and sugar cane juice can easily affect the blood glucose level of your dog.
While your pet may be excited about going on a trip and ready for action, you shouldn’t let yourself become an easy target for attack. For example, allowing your dog to climb up on the bed or sofa may seem fun, but it puts you at risk of being mauled by other dogs at the hotel or public place.
- Preparing Your Dog For Holiday Travel
The first step in preparation is ensuring your dog is properly vaccinated before traveling. In addition, you must also make sure that your dog has all the necessary vaccinations. Your vet can help you with this. Finally, as per your pet’s health and feeding habits, you must provide a careful diet before traveling.
For example, if your pet has a sensitive stomach or a preference for particular foods, ensure that you follow their diet on long journeys. Otherwise, they might develop digestive problems while traveling. In addition, make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are up to date and that their vaccinations are current. It would help if you got the required well check for dogs over ten years old. If you’re unsure about your dog, talk to your vet before going on a journey.
Also, make sure that your pet is in good health before traveling. If you’re planning on traveling internationally, you should ensure that your pet is free of ailments. If your dog suffers from specific conditions such as diabetes, patellar arthritis, or skin allergies, you should take precautions and prepare your pet correctly before traveling. This lameness might be evident to some people, but they are not to everyone.
- Packing the Appropriate Pet Gear
In addition, some essential but necessary travel pet gear will prove handy in managing affairs related to your dog while traveling.The type of gear you might need can also depend on where you’re staying – for example, there are many hotels that allow pets which provide specific amenities for them. Ensure your dog carries a copy of your ID cards along while traveling. If they get lost, this will come in handy to find them faster. You can avoid significant inconvenience if you always carry identification that states your ownership. A few other essential travel gear for pets include:
- Pet Carrier
It is common to feel slowed down because of your pet while traveling. Having a pet carrier that can safely protect your pet, in this case, will undoubtedly make things easier for you. If you have a small puppy, you can get a carrier bag/box to carry your pet around. Different types and sizes of pet carriers are available in the market for dogs (other pets) of various sizes.
- Stroller
If your pet wants to walk along with you, take them out for a walk from time to time. However, if you have a long hike planned and your pet is not in good health, you should opt for a pet stroller to make the job easier. In addition, these strollers can be folded or put away quickly and placed in any corner of the house.
- Carrier Bag
For pets that are not too large and not used to traveling in vehicles, some carriers can be used as carry bags when traveling in cars. These pet carriers are small enough to fit into the back of a vehicle without leaving room up front. If you have a smaller dog, then a carrier bag can be of great help to you.
- Pet Towel
Many dog towels are available on the market in different styles, such as; small, medium, or large sizes, made of other materials and colors. If your pet likes to lounge around or get into water spills while traveling, there is nothing as valuable as a pet towel that you can use on them to dry them up quickly and efficiently without any hassle.
- Leash
This is one item that every pet should carry along with them when traveling. Many different types of leashes are available in the market, such as; retractable, retractable ledges, retractable with adjustable length, and generally are made of solid and lightweight materials.
- Pet Tags
These tags come in different shapes, sizes, and colors for your dog’s specific tag to identify them quickly among other pets in a crowded place like a hotel or public area. In addition, you can check this from different pet tags to see which color suits the best with your dog’s skin tone or favorite color.
- Medications
Some dogs get upset when traveling and need their medications changed. You should carry a few of these to help your dog if they get upset or feel pain or discomfort during travel.
Ensure your pet has suitable identification tags on their leash as well—this comes in handy when you move around a lot. Planning for your trip will make the journey more exciting and unique for you and your furry friend.
- Protect Your Pet From Allergies
After traveling with your pet, it’s heartbreaking to discover that they’ve wandered off while lost and found themselves in an allergic reaction or attack. It’s best to be prepared and ensure all the family members have all their essential medications with them at all times if away from home.
Pets should not be left alone either at home or in the hotel. They can run away, walk off, and get lost easily. So it is essential to know what to do if your dog gets lost and has a severe attack or allergic reaction. Before starting your dream holiday, consult a vet to learn about your dog’s physical and mental health.
- Safety Tips for Leaving Pets Alone
When you leave your pet at home to run some errands, keeping them occupied while waiting is essential, you can also play with them or take them outside for a walk to wear them out. Also, check the gates of your house before leaving, as they might get out if left open. Give your pet a toy or two to keep them occupied if you return late and find that they are getting uneasy and restless. Finally, before leaving your pet alone, make sure to take these precautions:
- Know the whereabouts of your pet.
- Make sure that they have access to water and food.
- Place them on animal-grade dog food only while you are away.
- Keep your pet in a cool place and ensure the air conditioning is not too strong for them.
- Leave your pet with someone close to them, such as a friend or family member, if you must go out for a long time.
These tips will help you look after your dog and leave it stress-free while traveling with you or away from home for short periods. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, talk to a vet about treatments available before leaving on vacation. Chatting with a vet will help you prepare for such situations if faced during travel.
Conclusion
If you want to take your dog on a trip, it’s essential to be prepared. Make sure your pet’s health is in good shape before leaving, and plan carefully for the route ahead. Plan fun daily activities and stops during your trip so they can enjoy their time in open fields. Your efforts to manage these affairs for your pet will eventually reward you with an unforgettable holiday trip.
