This is often a dilemma of pet-lovers: should they leave or take their pet dog with them on their vacation? If there’s no one to leave your pet with while you’re gone, here are a few good ideas while traveling with man’s best friend.
1. Visit your vet.
Ensure that your pet is in proper health before traveling, and make sure that your dog is up to date with his anti-rabies vaccine. Don’t forget to get a health certificate for your dog — it’s the only way he’ll be able to board with you at your destination. It is also a good idea to bring your dog’s veterinary record since you never know if you’ll need it. Your vet may also prescribe a sedative so that your dog behaves well during travel.
2. Keep your dog inside the car while driving.
Dogs just love sticking their heads outside windows and feel the wind rushing at their face-don’t. Although it’s hard to deprive your pet of such an enjoyable moment, they can actually get sick by doing so. Getting cold winds forced in their lungs is enough to make them ill, not to mention all the dust and debris that they can inhale. If you stop anywhere, don’t leave them alone inside a parked car unless you park at a shady area and leave the windows slightly open — large enough to let some cool air in but small enough so that he won’t be able to stick his head out and jump.
3. Check your hotel for any policies against having pets around. A great website to check is Petswelcome, which provides a list of animal-friendly lodgings for you and your dog.
4. Bring your dog’s food.
Make sure you bring an ample supply of your dog’s regular food. The worst thing that could happen is you run out of your dog’s food and you’re forced to feed him with a brand he’s never eaten before — and your trip becomes the smelliest one ever. Also, there are some countries that have strict restrictions on animal food products, so better check first before departing.
5. Bring your First Aid Kit.
No one can predict emergencies, so it’s best to be prepared when one does strike. Having a first aid kid not only comes handy when traveling with pets, but also for children and everyone in general.
Finally, make sure that your dog has an up-to-date collar tag, just in case he runs or jumps out of the car - you’ll be ale to retrieve him much sooner and easier. If all else fails or if you really just can’t bring your pet with you (say a business trip), you might want to have him get taken care of in a pet day-care center so that you don’t feel guilty while you’re gone. At the same time, you’re also assured that your dog is in the hands of a professional.