Tips for Traveling With Your Dog

By: Levi Quinn
Submitted: 2008-08-11 13:01:09
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Animal lovers enjoy bringing their dogs along with them on car trips. It saves them from the worry and cost of kenneling them or depending on someone else to look after their beloved pet while they are gone. But there are things to consider when traveling with Fido such as the safety of you and your pet as well as comfort.

  • If your dog is a puppy or not accustomed to traveling in a car, it is important to get them use to the idea. Let them sit in the parked car several times prior to your trip and then begin taking them on some short trips beforehand.
  • Make sure you have proper identification tags on your pet. Nobody expects to lose their pet on a trip but it happens. Not only should your pet’s tag have its name on it but also your cell phone number.
  • Always keep your pet on a lease when outside the car. In fact, bring along two leases in case one gets misplaced.
  • Be prepared for motion sickness. Just as people do, some dogs get carsick as well. Getting your dog use to traveling in car can help with this, but if you know your dog gets sick regardless then be prepared. Feed them three hours prior to your trip and give them motion sickness medicine recommended by your veterinarian. Keep clean up supplies handy just in case.
  • Pay attention to the road and not the dog. Dogs can be distracting while traveling. Make sure they are situated in the back seat area away from the driver’s side floor where the brake and gas pedals are located.
  • Use a travel crate. This can be especially helpful for those hyper dogs. Make sure your dog is used to the crate prior to the trip. The use of a travel crate also makes traveling safer for you and your dog. There are also restraining devices to buckle pets up in car, which are strongly recommended by many veterinarians to keep pets safe while traveling.
  • Plan ahead and make sure that any hotel you are staying in is “pet friendly”.
  • Plan to stop often to walk your dog. Bring along disposable scoop and toss bags to dispose of any waste.
  • Make sure you bring dog food, water and old towels just in case your dog finds a nice mud puddle to take a dip in.
  • Never ever leave your dog in a hot car. Always be conscious of the effects of heat buildup in a parked car.  It only takes a few minutes for the internal heat to build up forty degrees above the outside air temperature especially if direct sunlight bakes the car.  Even the dog’s body heat (expired air in the dog’s breath is 102 degrees!) will act like a heater inside the car.  This may mean that you have to have picnic lunches or fast food at the drive thru instead of dining in restaurants along the way so plan accordingly.
Have a fun and safe time on the road, and visit us to find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Get money-saving tips, auto insurance quotes online and helpful car insurance advice at www.AutoInsuranceRatesDirect.com today.

Article source: Expert Articles

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