Many dog owners like to take their pets along with them when they travel for the holidays. If you have a canine pet that you want to bring with you, there are some things you can do to make the trip more enjoyable for both of you.
- See the vet before you go.
Make sure your pet gets a checkup before you leave. The vet will make sure your dog is up to date on all of the vaccinations that are required and will issue a health certificate stating that the animal is healthy. Be sure to take the certificate along with you when you travel, as well as your pet’s vaccination record and microchip information.
- Give your dog a little exercise just before leaving.
Take him for a walk and give him a chance to relieve himself. This will also help to calm the animal down.
- Stop frequently.
Again, you should stop often so that your pet has a chance to relieve himself as well as getting a chance to stretch his legs.
- Take safety precautions.
In some states, you must use dog seat belts, safety restraints or dog car seats. You should check beforehand in case you are travelling through one or more of these states. If you are putting your pet in a carrier, make sure that the carrier is tied firmly to the seat so that there is no chance it could work its way loose.
Also, never put the dog on your lap while you are travelling. If an accident should occur and the air bags deploy, your pet could be seriously injured. And finally, never tie your carrier to the top of the car, with or without your pet in it.
- Keep the windows up.
Everyone knows that dogs love to hang their heads out of the car and feel the wind in their faces. But this actually is not a very safe thing to do. They could be accidentally hit by a flying object, causing severe injury.
- Check your acommodations before you leave.
Find out if the hotel/motel accepts pets and what its pet policy is before you go so that there are no surprises when you arrive.
- Make sure your dog has his ID.
Your pet should be wearing ID tags with a current cell phone number. It is also a good idea to have a microchip inserted in your pet. It is quick, painless, and a failsafe way to identify your pet if lost.
- Bring the basics.
Make sure you pack toys, treats, bones and chews for your dog during your travels. And make sure you have enough food and water as well, along with a travel food dish.
And, since you may be away from home on THE day, make sure you pack any holiday gifts you’re planning on presenting to your pet.
If you can’t take your pet with your during holiday travel, call us here atHHHHHBarney’s Ranch can be? We offer day- and overnight-boarding services year-round, but it’s a good idea to contact us several days/a few weeks before you leave to make sure we have room. Call us at (469) 273-1661 for more information.