Added: 06/23/2007 |
Things You Should Know When You And Your Dogs TravelThere are many safety tips you should follow you and your dogs travel by care, this is for their safety as well as your own. You also need to know the restrictions, policies and rules that air lines have into effect for traveling with your pets. Learning all of these things before your trip will help save you time and help make your trip more enjoyable for both you and your best friend.
Make sure your dogs travel with collars that have tags for identification purposes of them as well as contact information for you, in case they are lost or run away during your travel. Their current up-to-date vaccination for Rabies tag should also be included upon their collar and documentation showing when and where their vaccine was given. Rabies vaccinations are required in almost every state you may travel through. They should also be current on their distemper/parvo and bordetella vaccines as well as free of intestinal parasites (worms). This is for their safety when out and about in yards and surfaces where other dogs travel and could have contaminated. These vaccinations should be given 4-6 weeks prior to your journey begins.
Things you will need to make your dogs travel by car more relaxing and stress-free include a water in two full-sized bottles, which is kept cool and a bowl for drinking out of, their bedding or blanket they sleep on at home if it will fit in the back seat, along with some toys they favor, you will need to bring plenty of their normal food, a change in their diet could cause dogs travel to be unpleasant with diarrhea and vomiting not to mention your traveling will be unpleasant too, you should pack an extra leash and extra collar in case one is lost or misplaced and a kennel for them to stay in when they are alone in your room, once you have reached your destination. A kit for your dogs travel packed with all the first-aid needs they might have is also a necessity, you never know when an injury or sickness could occur and veterinarians may not be available for a few hours. A copy of your pets record of vaccination is also a necessity for traveling, in case you are pulled over or if the motel managers need to see proof your dog is healthy. Micro-chipping your pet is another great idea, especially if they travel a lot with you. This way if your pet runs away from you or is lost, when found a scanner can be waved over their shoulders and a chip ID # with your pets information and your contact information will pop up. Many pets have been reunited with their beloved owners this way.
If you and your dogs travel is going to be by airplane then there are some policies and regulations you must adhere to and be prepared with ahead of time. Most airlines require your pet to go through an examination of their health 10 days prior to your flight date, the certificate you attain from your veterinarian cannot be over 10 days old or it will be deemed invalid by most airlines. Your pet must have current distemper/parvo/bordetella and rabies vaccinations and be parasite free as well.
Some airlines will allow your dogs travel to be inside the airplane’s cabin with you, as long as their kennel will fit comfortably underneath the seat directly in the front of them and as long as your pet does not weigh over a certain weight limit the specific airline may have set. Other larger dogs and animals are carried within the cargo area specifically designed for your pets safe and secure travel on the airplane, most are climate controlled for your pets’ health and comfort as well. Although, some airlines do restrict this kind of dogs travel when the temperatures are extremely hot and humid or are very cold.
Most of all no matter which mode of dog traveling you have planned take the safety and comfort as well as your pets well-being into thought before making any confirmed travel accommodations.
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