Vacationing with Pets

When vacation time arrives, we have two basic options when it comes to our pets. We can either leave them behind in a dog kennel or under some other type of care, or we can take them along on our vacation adventure. Both options have good sides and bad sides, but in a perfect world, we want our pets with us as much as possible. After all, they truly are a part of the family.

Travelling with pets is not difficult if proper precautions are taken. The most important thing is to plan carefully, considering the needs of your pet as well as the rules of your destinations.

When planning a trip with your pets, you must have their best interests in mind also. Though leaving your dog in a kennel is not what anyone wants to do, it might be preferable to keeping them cooped up in a car for 2000 miles. If your pet is a less tolerant animal, taking them on a long trip like this is out of the question.

Make sure that you have the proper accessories for the trip. Things you will need could include a dog carrier, leashes, muzzles, etc. The equipment will vary depending on the vacation type and destination. A trip to the mountains will demand different things than a week in NYC.

Animals are creatures of habit. Though the rest of the family will understand that the trip is a temporary adventure, the pet will be upset, thinking a major change is at hand. Minimize the stress by taking along as many familiar things as possible for the dog. Toys, blankets and bedding are a few things that can make the move less stressful. Another good idea is to get your dog used to travelling by taking him along on shorter trips to teach him that you will eventually arrive back home.

Be aware of the environment when travelling. If you are travelling to an area with a climate much hotter or colder than from where you came, the dog will have additional stress. Heat especially is hard on dogs. Just be aware of your dog’s condition and don’t overburden him and things will be fine.

Remember that dogs can’t go as long as we can between bathroom breaks, especially when traveling by car. Dogs are also prone to car sickness and their food intake should be adjusted accordingly.

If crossing borders, even state borders, make sure that you have proof of required vaccination. Many hotels and campgrounds that allow dogs will require this proof. Don’t forget to take along any medications your dog needs since vet care might not be available.

Almost any vacation can be made better with the presence of our family dog. But it’s important to not be selfish and to take the dog’s needs into consideration. If you do this then the trip will go down without trouble and your dog and the rest of the family will have a great time.