There
are number of tips for summer pet care, but there are also some specific
things to keep in mind when vacationing with a dog. The following are some
tips that may help vacationers and their pets.
- Make sure your pet is well identified. ID tags and other forms of identification
are particularly helpful when a pet is new to an area and may not be recognized.
Also a pet may be more likely to run off or become lost in an unfamiliar
area.
- Take emergency contact information, and be aware of local emergency
services. This is wise for both pets and people. Hopefully, it won’t
be needed but know how and where to get help for you and your pet as this
can be extremely important.
- Be aware of local hazards. Bugs and snakes can cause problems for pets
and vary in type and specie depending on location. Also each locality can
have its dangerous spots for pets. Whether it is traffic or wildlife knowing
what the hazards of an area are can help prevent potential problems.
- Water Safety. While many dogs are great swimmers and happiest in the
water, be aware of your dog’s abilities as well as situations that
can be risky to them such as boating, or swimming in pools that are difficult
to get out of. Also for human safety, be aware that some dogs will either
use people as a form of flotation or they will try to ‘save’ their
favorite person by climbing onto them while they swim. Typically unpleasant,
it can also be dangerous for kids or novice swimmers. View our article
on Canine Water Safety.
- Use Travel Precautions. Traveling with pets can be tricky as pets take
to it differently. Restraints and/or barriers are typically needed. This
is necessary to keep pets in place, safe, and out of your way when driving.
Also this keeps them safe when entering and exiting a vehicle. This is
often an especially risky time for a pet as they are upset or uncomfortable
by the car ride, they are in an area that they don’t know, they’re
behavior can be somewhat erratic due to stress, and traffic can be dangerous.
- Pet Friendly. Make sure you find accommodations that are pet friendly.
Whether it is a hotel room where you plan to stay on the way to your final
destination, or the camp ground where you plan to vacation, make sure they
welcome dogs otherwise vacation could turn unpleasant or costly.
Car
& Travel Safety Supplies
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