How to Travel Safety with Your Dog
If you’re ready to start planning your summer vacation, you might be wondering if you can take your dog. The answer is probably yes, but you have to do some research before you go. It can be difficult – and dangerous – to leave home with your canine companion, but a few common-sense steps can ensure that your entire crew arrives at your destination safe and sound. Here are a few tips on how to pack up and go with your pup in tow.
Talk to their veterinarian.
Before you begin vacation planning, start with a call to your dog’s doctor. Your veterinarian is a wealth of information that can help you decide if your dog is healthy enough for travel. They can also give you insight on your dog’s temperament so that you can come up with ways to encourage good behavior while you’re on the road. If your dog is especially nervous or fearful, ask your vet about supplementing your travel tools with CBD oil, which has been shown to quell anxiety in dogs and people alike. Make sure to get your information from a reputable source, such as this 2019 CBD buyer’s guide, which is a free resource from RemedyReview.com.
Make the arrangements.
Once you’ve been given the okay by your veterinarian, it’s time to start planning where and how you’ll go. If you’re traveling by air, keep in mind that typically only smaller dogs are allowed in the cabin. Anything that won’t fit in a carrier under the seat will have to go on the cargo bin, which comes with its own set of dangers. Double check with your preferred airline regarding the policies and book as early as possible since they can limit the number of animals on board. You will also need to check around at hotels, condos, and private rentals to make sure dogs are welcome. While all public accommodations have to accept service animals, pets are a different story, and the last thing you want is to be turned away at the door after a long day of driving.
Preparations and precautions.
Speaking of driving, there are a few other precautions you should take before plopping your pooch in the passenger seat. First, determine how you will restrain your dog, whether that is by traveling in a crate or if he will be strapped in with a safety harness. Make sure the tags on his collar are engraved with your current cell phone number on the off chance he uses a bathroom break as an excuse to break away for some unauthorized exploration of his own. His microchip account, if applicable, should also be updated.
Traveling with your dog will require that you pack a bag for him, too. This should include an extra leash, bowls for food and water, toys, a bed or familiar blanket, waste bags, his medical records (and health certificate if you are crossing state lines), and a list of emergency veterinary hospitals and pet-friendly rest stops along the way.
Urban or outdoors?
You have plenty of options and, even if you don’t live near your favorite vacation destination, most airlines allow pet travel on flights of up to 11 ½ hours. This leaves open a host of possibilities. If you and your pet are active, a hike through a state or National Park may give you the perfect trip itinerary. When a stroll through the city makes more sense, BarkPost.com recommends Québec, Canada or Portland, Maine.
Traveling with your dog is going to be a bit more work. But, your labor of love will pay off in a lifetime’s worth of memories, which is important since dogs are only with us for such a short time. Make the most of your vacations by allowing your pooch to tag along. Your veterinarian can help you prepare.
One last thing – don’t forget your camera.
Image via Pixabay