Sabledog

As we all know summer is coming soon, and most of us will be going on vacation or road trips or the like, but if you are going to take your pet theres alot to remember when you do. Whether you are taking one dog or more these tips will make sure you all travel safely and well prepared.

Food and water, are of course one of the most important things to take with you, but always bring more than you think you will need, if you are going on a 7 day trip bring enough food and water for at least 9 days, because if you end up having to be delayed be it weather, car problems, traffic, you never want to run out of either. Make sure the dishes you bring with you are easy to clean and are small as we all know vehicles don't offer much room.

Animal First aid kit. These are great for home, but not alot of people think to bring one along for trips, if you are camping or out walking in a park, or even if you just stop along the way for potty breaks, there are always hazards. Broken glass, ticks, insect bites, cuts scrapes and so on, so just to keep on the safe side make sure you have one with you in case something does happen.

Vet records and licenses. Keep these with you as well, in the case your dog may get away or you go to a state that has requirements on vaccinations or licenses. You dont need to get a fine while your out having a good time with your doggy pal. they are also good in the case you may have to kennel your dog in short notice (having to stay in a hotel that does not allow dogs ect.) all kennels (USA) require at least a rabies vaccine and proof of it.

Extra collars and leashes and tags. Even for those of you who let your dogs off leash keep one on you at all times, alot of states have leash laws and are very strict about them. You also want to have an extra in case the one you have gets lost or breaks. if your dog looses its collar with identification tags on it, you don't want to get stuck without one so keep an extra tag as well.

Bedding. Bring and extra blanket or bed as you never know what might happen, by fluke your dog may suddenly become carsick or have an accident on their bedding, and trying to find somewhere to wash it off is not easy (i know this from personal experience!!) so just keep an extra one handy.

Dangers and saftey. Never leave your dog alone in the car, even for small periods of time, if you are running in a store to pay for gas, or something like that its not bad, but summer heat is a killer for pets left in cars, it causes sever heat stroke and exhaustion, the air in an enclosed car gets very toxic quickly with carbon monoxide and dioxide which are both deadly.

Keep your dog in a set area while driving because you dont need to be distracted while operating a moving vehicle dont let them in your lap or jump around in the car as this can cause fatal driving errors and risk your life and the life of others on the road.

If you allow your dog to put their head out the window make sure it is only rolled down enough for them to put their head through with a little extra moving room never leave it all the way down because your dog can fall out on a turn or jump out if it smells something or sees something.

Keep an eye out for any other dangers while outdoors as well, snakes, poisonous plants, predators, and strangers. Its our job to keep our pets safe, and sometimes we forget that there are dangers all around us.

Dont forget to enjoy yourself while away from home though make everyday count!! And enjoy it to its fullest. Remember your dog wants to have just as much fun and enjoyment as you, so taking them with you is great and always makes things a bit more adventurous!!

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saffsma

excellent post!!
I just posted about going away on saturday in the campervan and all the stuff needed to be packed for a dog, but my post was tongue in cheek . you have written some very important points,
Saffi has always travelled with us from being tiny so he is used to it and loves it getting very excited when he realises the camper is out . But he is very well behaved(apart from the barking at every dog he sees issue which we are still dealing with ) and we always have him on a safety harness.
If its a long journey potty breaks are important so the dog doesn`t become stressed . Fortunately for us we have water on tap in the camper and also he has plenty of room so he can sleep comfortably when he needs to.
Anyway thanks for a good important post

love linda xx

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HE IS YOUR FRIEND, YOUR PARTNER, YOUR DEFENDER, YOUR DOG.
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Pauline46

Good advice. We just came back from a long trip with our six month old collie. She was seat belted in and did quite well. You brought up a few points that I will keep in mind for next time we go away.

Thanks!!

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Pauline
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applesmom

Excellent post and some great tips!

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A well trained dog will make no attempt to share your lunch.

He'll just make you feel guilty while you're eating it.

Sabledog

Thanks for all the responses!!! i know alot of times when people travel its hard to remember everything and somethings get forgotten, its always good to make a check list and mark it all off as you are loading up the car that way you know you have everything with you!! it better to be safe than sorry i guess.

A few other things i forgot to put in last night...

If you are going boating with your dog, make sure to keep a life vest for them as well, no matter how good a swimmer you dog may be, the heat coupled with being in a large body of water leads to exhaustion very quickly so keep one on you just in case.

Medications. If your dog takes medications bring extra of that as well for the same reason posted above in the food and water section.

Flea and tick preventative, if you live in an area where you dont need to do monthly treatment for fleas, remember not everywhere is the same, so bring along some flea and tick preventative. Capstar is good if you are just on a weekend trip as its a pill that kills the fleas and ticks in 24 hours, it is not a preventative, but if your dog does hapen to pick some up then giving them one dose of capstar will help rid them before it becomes an infestation.

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Flatcoatluver

Great post! We are taking a 6 hour road trip in July. We always bring everything you listed except a first aid kit. Does petsmart or petco carry it at all? I don't want to have to order it online.

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Sabledog

petsmart has them online but im not sure if thay have them in the store, i dont see why they would not carry them in stores heres a link.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 6031&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302026151&ASSORT MENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1178312021 778&itemNo=16&In=Dog&N=2026151&Ne=2

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missgeegee

Yes, I agree to not leave your dog alone because of toxic air but here is something: We are going on vacation and might bring the dogs (which are barking now lol) in the RV and we have lots of screen windows and last year with Martha we always kept them open, and she was perfectly fine.
For water, I have this sort of water bottle/dish for dogs. It's a watter bottle, and then there's a blue part which you push out from the bottle and from the bottle, you can squirt water into the dish. These are always handy for when you're leaving the dog in the car for a quick moment!
But we only leave our dog in the car for 5 minutes or 10, and since there are 4 of us, one of us stays in the car with them or brings them out for a walk, while the others are busy buying something,etc.. I'm usually the one who stays in the car, and I've learned lots about caring for dogs, and I always bring them for walks so yeah.. But unless you're only 1 or 2 people, and you both get out of the car regularly, or go out for long, I would bring the dog out.

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Bailey-lover

Great post

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PomPuppyGrrl

ALWAYS BOOK PLANE TICKETS ON THE PHONE! This way you can ask in full detail about bringing your pup along! It also may be the determining factor as to which airline you will be taking.

I picked DELTA AIRLINES. They allowed and offered larger carry-on cases and bags for your dogs. At PETCO you can find two official air-line carry-on bags for your dogs. [They will even list which airlines preappoved them!]

Book EARLY MORNING flights. It is recommended that your dog does not drink or eat prior to travel. On the flight supply light water. Mid-way supply a light snack. After the flight attempt to immediately take them to a place where they can relieve themselves.

Tiny blatter? No problem. Fast water and food then after the flight give them 1/2 pedialite and 1/2 water mix. Also give them NutriCal paste, this will supply all the vitamins they missed during fasting.

The previous is recommended for TOY/SMALL dogs 8 weeks of age or older.