Dogs just love to travel, especially a good road trip. The last thing you want is your dog to be harmed while traveling. Follow these dog travel safety tips.
Dogs cannot protect themselves from harm, so it is crucial that you keep your pet safe.
- Keep the heat off. I don't care if you think it's cool outside. Absolutely do not leave your dog in the car unattended. Even with windows cracked, and even on a seemingly nice day, temperatures in a car can quickly escalate and kill your dog. If you will have to leave the dog, the dog shouldn't have come along for that trip.
- Secure your dog. You might think it's fun for the dog to sit in your lap or catch some breeze from the bed of your truck. Your dog is not safe in these situations and, in fact, you may endager yourself and others if you can't drive properly. You would never toss a child loose in the backseat. There are harnesses that attach to seat belts and crates to secure your dog. Even just a grate between the front seat and the back is better than nothing at all.
- Keep your dog hydrated. On a trip, it's tempting to skimp on the food and water to avoid pit stops. While you do want to cut back a little, just for your dog's comfort while on the go, be sure your dog gets enough to drink or eat. If you are driving with a dog, plan for plenty of stops to walk the dog, and give the dog food and water.
- Leash your dog. Even if Fido has always walked on his own, a trip is no time to go free and easy. All it takes is a cat darting into the highway to lure your dog to danger. Also, your dog (and you) will be in a strange place, which will make it that much harder to find her if she gets loose.
- Tag your dog. Sometimes all the precautions in the world are no match for a clever dog bent on escaping. Before you travel, get your dog a collar and an engraved tag with plenty of contact information (and your cell phone number, so you can be reached while traveling).
- Fly with care. Although some small dogs can fly with their owners in the cab of the plane, many must fly in cargo with no climate controls. Avoid doing so at all. If you must, do so during spring and fall when the temperature isn't too hot or cold.
Related articles:
- Hurricane Pet Preparedness
- Heat Stroke and High Risk Dogs
- Dogs and Heat Stroke
- Luxury Boarding for Dogs
The copyright of the article Dog Travel Safety in Family Adventures is owned by Kelby Carr. Permission to republish Dog Travel Safety must be granted by the author in writing.
