While the American culture isn’t as dog-friendly as some other parts of the world, the Americans who love dogs know just how special they are and that they are just as much a part of our family as any other member. In fact, research was just released that when we lose one of our furry family members, it can be just as devastating as losing a human member of our tribe. That’s why it’s important to keep our pals safe and well-cared for whether we are at home or in our cars. Here are some tips for travelling with your pal:
- Never leave them in the car. It’s easy to think that they are safe, yet temperatures rise quickly inside even if the windows are cracked open. It doesn’t take much for our cars to become way too hot for what our dog’s bodies can handle. In a one hour period, the temperature inside your vehicle can increase 40 degrees… on a 70 degree day, that’s 110! Yikes!!
- When traveling with our pets, make sure to pack for them too. Take their food, a couple of favorite toys, bedding, a crate if that works for you, and don’t forget to keep them hydrated along the way. It’s easy to forget the water!
- If you’re out for a long drive, make sure to stop every couple of hours so they (and you!) can not only stretch the legs, but also take a pee if necessary. And when does your dog NOT want to mark their territory?!
- Seatbelt those babies in! While it’s fun to see a dog hanging out the window with its tongue flapping in the wind, it’s a terrible idea to not have them secured. If you get in an accident, they become a projectile and that NEVER ends well.
- Before heading out on any length of travel, give them some exercise and it will help keep them calm and happy for the first leg.
- Keep in mind that not all doggies love to travel as it’s not uncommon for doggie motion-sickness to occur. Check with your favorite pet store or vet’s office for what you can give to your pet to help with this issue.
Treat them like the family member they are and you will both benefit and suffer less! Suffering less sounds good. When you prepare for traveling with your dog, it’s usually a much more pleasant experience. If you don’t know already, there are plenty of dog-friendly accomodations out there and it’s fairly simply to hop online and here’s one quick link to get you started! Happy travels. Woof!