Post by
M. Grade
Summer
is here and that means it’s vacation season for many Americans. Some people
find it very hard to leave their pets behind when going on vacation. So, it’s a
good thing there are certain places that are pet friendly, which means you and
your furry companion can travel together. Before making a spontaneous trip
somewhere with your pet, though, there are a few things you should consider to
maximize comfort and ensure safe traveling.
Hitting
the Road!?
When people think about the needs
of animals, food and water are the two main necessities that pop into mind. But
when traveling for a short or even extended period, thinking outside of the box
is necessary.
What to Bring
-Food (main diet,
treats)
-Proper storage for
food (air sealed/locking lid container)
-Water
-Bowls
-Medications
-Leashes
-List of local
emergency hospitals or clinics
-Bedding
-Toys
*Paperwork- when crossing state lines
with pets, it is required you have an up
to date certificate of health (this is an official government document) from your
veterinarian, which ensures your pet is in overall good health. Here at
Carolina Pets, Dr. Meyers, Dr. Forward, and Dr. Gilmartin are all certified to
provide your pet with a Health Certificate (International or Domestic).
Pet Mentality and Comfort
Has your
pet ever traveled before?
If the
answer to this is no, then you should consider doing a few trial trips. This
will help acclimate your pet to being in the car IF they are comfortable being in
the car. Not all pets like being in the car and may require medication to help
them relax. Here at Carolina Pets, we can assist with travel anxiety. Call us
to talk about it.
Riding
in the car can be extremely stressful for some animals and can be easily
identified if you know what to look for. Some signs of anxiety in pets are:
-Pacing
-Hyper salivation (drooling)
-Whining
-Restlessness
-Panting
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Make sure that you let your pets
use the bathroom before leaving! Accidents in the car can be a huge distraction
and can cause unsafe situations for everyone (including pets) in the vehicle.
Pet Safety
You must ensure your pet’s safety
when traveling. There are products that you can purchase to make the trip safer
for everyone in the car.
-Pet Carriers
-Cages
-Pet Seatbelts
-Car Barriers
All of these products keep pets
in a certain area of the car that causes less distraction to the driver, and
keeps the pet in a safe place in the vehicle. If the windows are down, make
sure that your pet is SECURE in the vehicle with no possibilities of
slipping/jumping out. It may seem fun to
ride with the windows wide open or your pet in your lap, but you’d be doing
them a favor by making sure they are safe in the vehicle.
These are just a few things to
consider before going on a trip with your pet. Many times people forget things
their pet may need. It’s inconvenient to run to a store the moment you arrive.
It pays to take a minute and make sure you’ve gotten everything you’ll need and
plenty of it! If there is anything you are unsure of, call Carolina Pets Animal
Hospital and we’ll help you out as best as we can. Safe travels!
Picture
Sources:
Pet Zip line Seatbelt:
www.tripswithpets.com
Packing
Items: www.ruffwear.com
Dog in Lap: www.hubpages.com