10 Tips for Safe Traveling with Your Dog on Holidays

At the end of this pandemic year, everyone wants to end this stressed sitting-at-home routine with a joyful and unforgettable trip. However, taking your dog with you might be more responsible and requires more than usual precautions.

In that case, when you don’t want to leave your furry friend at home or pet-sitter, you have to go through a few steps to make the journey safe and enjoyable. That’s why we came up with a few tips and tricks to safely travel with your dog on holidays.

Consider these tips to make your journey safe while making your dog comfortable, so the whole family can enjoy the holidays.

How to Prepare Your Dog for Traveling?

Since you’re going through this guide, you must have never taken your dog out on a long trip. If that’s the case, prepare your dog for traveling. It might be a trial trip.

Take your dog around the town indifferent places and follow the same routine as a long trip. To do so, make small stops, take them to the highway, stations, or airports.

Also, interact with your dog with other pets and people on the way to your near destination. Once your dog knows the concept of traveling on any vehicle you choose, it will be a lot easier for safe traveling on holidays.

How to Safely Travel with Your Dog on Holidays?

Now that you have prepared your dog for traveling, there’s something you have to follow as well. Consider these tips to make your journey a lot more comfortable and memorable. These tips are given by the dog parents who often travel with their dog, and they find them convenient.

1. Consult Your Vet First

Visit your dog’s vet and make sure the dog is healthy to travel. Discuss the period of traveling, destination, and the way you’ll be traveling. This way, your vet can recommend precautions for safe traveling after considering your dog’s health. You can get some medications to avoid car sickness and parasites.

2. Check Airline’s Policies for Air Travel

If you’re traveling in your car, skip this step. Otherwise, while traveling by airplane, you have to check out the relevant airline’s policies about pets. For instance, usually, small pets can easily fit in the cabin under the seat in front of you. On the other hand, bigger dogs may have to travel in the baggage compartment.

However, some airlines also have different policies for the number of pets a single passenger can bring. So, it’ll be a lot more convenient if you check out these policies beforehand. If the policy doesn’t satisfy you, you can change the airline or travel method to ensure that you and your dog are safe, healthy and happy.

3. Get First-Aid Pet Kit

Most of the time, when you're visiting a place, such as a lake, or far from town, you don’t have an early approach to any vet. In that case, you must always bring a dog’s first-aid kit, so you can take necessary measures in case of emergency. This kit had proven life-saving for many dogs in the past, as per a few reports. That is why experts make it necessary for all the dog parents out there.

Here’s a list of necessary items that you can include in the dog first-aid kit:

●      First aid bandage

●      Benadryl (Confirm dosages with vet before administering)

●      Sting relief pads

●      Antiseptic towelettes

●      Tick remover

●      Sterlite pads

●      Styptic pencil

●      Emergency blanket

●      Pet brush

●      Hydrogen Peroxide & 5mL Syringe

4. Pack Your Dog Essentials

Besides the first-aid kit, you should pack all the dog travel essentials, including food and toys. You might not have access to a nearby pet store where you can buy accessories. So, prepare yourself and bring everything your dog may need.

Here’s a list of some common dog essentials:

●      Crate or carrier

●      Toys & Treats

●      Food and water bowls

●      Water

●      Dog blanket

●      Dog Towel

●      Plastic poop bags for cleaning up

●      Collar/harness, having the name and tag ID (Dog GPS collar is better)

●      Leash

●      Dog shampoo

●      Comfortable bedding with scents of home

●      Dog tooth brush &toothpaste

●      Dog medications

●      Dog Muzzle

5. Dog-proof Your Car

Make sure your car is safe for your dog, and there’s no harmful object that your dog can eat or chew on while you’re driving on the road. Then, turn off all power window control to avoid accidental openings. Open the window as much, so your dog can’t jump but can enjoy outside fresh air. Make sure that your dog is safely restrained. A dog harness and dog seat beat are essential for you and your dog’s safety while driving on the road. Last, keep your car seats protected with car seat covers to avoid scratches, tears, and messes that can ruin your car’s interior.

6. Plan Frequent Stops

When going on a long trip, take short breaks after every 2-3 hours. Pull over to let your dog get out, stretch their legs, urinate, move around, and get some food and water. This will keep your dog active and comfortable throughout the way.

7. Keep Your Dog Hydrated

Pets often get dehydrated when traveling. In that case, take extra water to keep your dog hydrated through out the journey to your destination. Make sure there’s a water bowl near the crate, so your dog has easy access all the time.

8. Never Leave Your Dog Alone in Car

Even though it’s common sense to never ever leave your dog alone in a car, some pet parents still end up leaving them alone as they think it’s just for a few minutes. Remember, it takes only a few minutes for a dog to get uncomfortable alone in the car, and it can lead to severe health conditions.

9. Make Your Destination Dog-Friendly

A dog-friendly destination means making your place the same as your home for your dog. To do so, bring their favorite toys & treats, same water, and food bowls, and make the same bedding. This way, your dog will feel at home.

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10. Make Sure Your Dog Has a Collar and Tag ID (Dog GPS collar is even better)

Losing your dog at your home is heartbreaking, so losing your dog while traveling away from home is even worse. A collar with a tag ID can be helpful in finding your dog. What's more helpful is having a GPS dog collar, so you can have access to their location on your smart phone if they do get out get lost.

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We hope that your travels are safe and fun!

- Dogurus