Dogs add to the overall fun of a vacation. You are guaranteed to have more laughter and more play!
There are few essential things you should do before you take your furry friend on your next vacation or road trip. Here we share some tips to get you ready before you hit the road with your hairy friend.
🐾 Take your dog to a certified veterinarian. During this visit ensure that:
- Your dog gets the needed vaccines. Also obtain a health certificate as a proof of up-to-date immunizations, particularly rabies and Bordetella. This type of document is crucial if you cross state or country lines. It is required by pet boarding facilities, and it also serves as proof of ownership.
- Ask the vet about any potential health risks at your destination (for example Lyme disease or heartworm infection). Also, talk to your vet about tick and flea preventives for your dog.
- Make sure you have enough medications for your dog. If your dog takes medications, request the vet to provide enough supplies to last the complete trip. Alternatively, ask for a written prescription that you can take with you in case you need a refill while you are away from home.
- Ask your doctor for references of vet doctors at your destination. Get the names and numbers (American Animal Hospital Association).
- If you think that your dog needs sedatives, please discuss it with the vet. Administering sedatives are not ideal unless it is advised by the veterinarian.
🐾 Make sure that your dog has a collar that is both strong and durable. For traveling, we prefer the reflective personalized dog collars, custom embroidered with the pet’s name and phone number. Also, attach a tag with the most recent address and contact information to the collar.
🐾 A carrier or crate will ensure your dog is safe. If your dog is small, the carrier will also prevent your happy little friend from running around the inside of the car. Make sure to fasten the carrier to the inside of your vehicle, so it does not move around with your dog inside of it while you drive. Also, it is best to choose a crash tested carrier. Crates are useful if you need to keep your dog in the room. This will prevent your pet from escaping from the room when the cleaning staff arrives.
🐾 For medium and larger dogs, a car harness is the best option to keep them safe when commuting. Keep your dog in the back seat of the vehicle to avoid distractions as well as to protect your dog in the event of a collision. Please note that the front airbag can be deadly to a pet during a crash even if the pet is restrained. In addition to the harness, use a seat belt that can attach your dog to a safety belt. Make sure that the car harness you choose is specifically designed to protect your puppy in case of an accident and that it is crash tested. You will be investing in the safety of your dog and family.
Now that you know what to do to ensure your puppy is in good health before his/her trip and what to look for to provide a safe road trip, in our next posts, we will discuss how to prep your doggy for car travel and what to pack for your furry friend!
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