Packing to Travel with Your Dog or Cat! |
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Home Page Traveling for Dog Sports? Much of the equipment that we use for our various dog sports is tailored specifically to the sport. (You won't find too many agility tunnels at your local pet store, or, for that matter, duck decoys!). Many of our high-performance dogs are eating high energy diets that you can't just pick up anywhere. Some of you have them on "fresh food" diets. You may want to consider purchasing one of those DC refrigerators to plug into the vehicle while on the road so that their food can be kept chilled. Get a 2nd one for your pop. Remember, if you wouldn't eat it yourself, don't feed it to them! Your trial or training session won't be very successful if your 'partner' is sick with food poisoning.
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Packing and Preparing to Leave Give your pet a bath. Whether you travel by car or plane, a clean pet will be more pleasant to share travel accommodations with. Start with a good brushing to remove all mats and loose hair. We've already discussed fleas, etc in section one - Take your pet to the vet. Make sure the nails are freshly clipped to prevent damage to the car upholstery, your clothes, and motel furnishings. A packing list:
Traveling by car? Did you remember to get your pet used to the car over the last several weeks? Feed your pet lightly a few hours before leaving and be sure they have ample opportunity to relieve themselves. Make sure there's a water bucket clipped to the inside of their crate with water in it. We frequently put some of the ice from our cooler in their water buckets to be sure theirs stays cool. Check it periodically to be sure they're not out of water. Clean their food and water dishes regularly. Make sure they are wearing those properly labeled collars. If your pet needs an anti-motion sickness medication, follow your veterinarian's advice as to when to give it. Some pets are helped by a piece of sugar candy to calm an upset tummy. (One piece,- not two, three or more! No chocolate!) The same advice goes for sedatives, etc. Make sure your car's air-conditioning is working before you leave. Many pets die each year from heatstroke. Your pet should be riding in the same climate controlled conditions that you are. Don't leave them in a hot car during the summer. Even in cool conditions, leave the windows ajar for ventilation. It's amazing how quickly a car can heat up, even when temperatures outside don't seem that bad. Try to find a shaded area to leave the car. If it's too hot for you to wait in the car, don't leave your pet there. If you're traveling in a van, be careful of the temperature at the back. Sometimes it's much hotter in the back than it is near the air conditioner in the front. Hot weather isn't the only time to worry about leaving a pet in the car. Winter conditions can quickly turn a car into an icebox. Be sure your pet has warm bedding if you're leaving it for a short time. Stop frequently at rest stops for exercise. Always fasten the leash on your pet before they get out of their kennel. Don't allow your pet to ride loose in the car. It isn't safe for them to be jumping around and over the seats. Place them in their kennel or in a proper seat belt or carrier. Don't give your pet a chance to jump from the vehicle without a leash. They could bolt in front of oncoming traffic or run into the woods and be lost. Do not ever let your dog ride with its head out of a window or in the back of open truck. Flying bugs can penetrate the cornea of the eye and blind them. Strong winds can cause inner ear problems and ear hematomas. Restrained animals that ride in the back of an open truck are also exposed to flying bugs and debris. Sudden stops can throw them out onto the pavement. If they manage to reach the side of the truck and fall over, they'll strangle before you can stop to free them. If the restraint is long enough for them to reach the ground, the fall at highway speeds and being dragged behind a vehicle is too horrible to consider. Unrestrained pets that ride in open trucks face the same dangers if they jump out. Skidding along a highway after jumping will kill or severely injure your pet. If you are planning to stop for an attraction (amusement rides, museum, zoo anyone?), check with a local veterinary or boarding kennel for their rates for a day. You may need to check on this in advance. Some amusement parks have kennels that you can use for a small fee. Don't count on finding a shady place to park the car. (When have you Ever seen any shade in one of those giant parking lots? Much less shade that would be there 3 hours later!) If it's after dark and the temperature is below 60º, you can crack the windows an inch or two and leave him in his crate. When you and your pet arrive at your destination, you will find that your pet has the same problems adjusting as you do. It must learn where it's food and water will be, and it's wandering limits. Page 1 | Motels & Campgrounds - Page 2 | Traveling by Plane - page 4 Copyright©2005 | ||||||||