Top 5 Pet Issues When Traveling

by Boyd Harrell, DVM

For many of us summer is a travel season, a time when the entire family finally has some precious time together for recreation. And of course if you are a pet owner and lover like me, your pet is likely to be traveling with you. So don’t let poor planning for your pet’s travel turn into a disaster story. Here are some pet travel basics to follow and pitfalls to avoid.

Essential pet travel items

• Leash - A lost pet far from home can be a disaster; never allow your pet off leash unless they are within a secure enclosed area.
• ID tag - Be sure it has your pet’s name, your name and a phone where you can be reached. A mobile phone number is best so you can always be in touch.
• Pet health records and health certificate - These are important should your pet need medical attention while away from home or if you are crossing state or national borders.
• Your pet’s own food along with food and water bowls - This will lessen the likelihood of digestive upset and make your pet feel more ‘at home”.
• Blankets or bed - Having a comfortable familiar bed lessens the stress of travel
• Crate/kennel - A pet crate makes travel in the car safer for both you and your pet and is required by some hotels/motels.
• First aid kit - Be sure to include items to protect both pets and their people.

Top 5 Pet Travel Concerns

Anxiety
Travel can be both fun and stressful for your pet. Pets pick up on the excitement of their people and become anxious themselves. Changes in their routine like different feeding times, different bed, long car rides, lots of people activity can all be stressors for your pet.

Proper Hydration
Summer travel can increase your pet’s water needs . Dehydration can occur quickly as a lot of moisture is lost when pets pant from either anxiety or summer heat. Plenty of fresh cool water is essential to maintain proper hydration and organ function and avoid possible heat stroke.

Pet Odor Control
Traveling in the close confines of an automobile exaggerates odors from pets, crates/kennels and blankets. Dogs often find unpleasant things to roll in at parks and rest stops and a soiled crate quickly diminishes the air quality.

Digestive Upset
Changes in your pet’s routine, chewing on found prizes and different food or water can all contribute to digestive upset including loss of appetite, vomiting , diarrhea or constipation.

Emergencies
Medical problems and injuries can be even more difficult to deal with when you are on the road. Be sure to have a pet first aid kit, medical records, your veterinarian’s number and a pet poison control phone number with you at all times. Next be sure every family member knows where these things are at and that they are readily accessible.

Small efforts in organizing and preparation can pay large dividends for both you and your pet during your next travel. Plan ahead for pet friendly locations and if one of your destinations does not allow pets be sure to have scouted out a nearby boarding facility you are comfortable with and make reservations well in advance. Now that you are ready, let’s go have fun!

You can contact Dr Harrell by sending an email to boyd@petprosbusinesscoaching.com or to boydharrell@myoxyfresh.net .

Top 5 Summer Pet Hazards

by Dr. Boyd Harrell

Oh, the dog days of summer are upon us! The seasonal bright sun and warm days mean more outside activity and fun for many of us. Along with the fun, warm weather also brings some hazards to pets and their people. Let’s visit the top 5 pet hazards of summer.

Heat
The sun’s can heat cause concrete and ashphalt to reach temperatures hot enough to burn our pet’s feet when they walk on it. And just like us, over exposure to the sun can lead to sunburn on the nose and ear tips or the skin of lightly pigmented pets. Without adequate shade and fresh water summer temperatures can cause pet’s to dehydrate and make breathing difficult especially for short nosed, heavy coated or older pets. When pets over exert themselves or are left in a closed automobile for even a short time, life threatening heatstroke may overtake them.
Here are some tips to protect your pet from the sun. Provide them with plenty of shade and fresh water and be certain the bowl is secure so that it can’t be tipped over. A children’s swimming pool can provide a fun way to cool down. Consider getting your pet a shorter hair cut. Exercise early in the morning or later in the evening. Apply pet-safe SPF 15-40 sunscreen to the nose and ear tips. Lastly, absolutely don’t leave your pet in the car for even a short time, the inside temperature can rise 30 to 50 degrees in just minutes.

Anxiety
Changing summer schedules, more people activity, additional travel and thunderstorms can all cause our pets a great deal of anxiety. Try to keep a routine as much as possible and provide a safe quiet place for your pet to escape if they feel the need.

Water Sports
Home swimming pools provide a refreshing dip for either us or our pets on a hot day. Don’t let your pet drink pool water because the chemicals can cause digestive upset. Rinse your pet’s coat with fresh water after using the pool to avoid skin irritation. Lastly be sure to secure your pet away from the pool when you are not there. Many pet’s drown every year because they jump or fall into the pool and can’t get back out by themselves.
If you take your pet to the lake, a beach or boating be proactive by strapping on a life jacket for safety’s sake then do the same for yourself.

Toxins
Deadly plants, paints, lighter fluid, coolant leaks and insecticides used on our pets, on the lawn, in garden or stored in our garage are all hazards to be aware of. Most lawn chemicals are safe after they have been “watered in” and given a chance to dry completely. Allow your pet to avoid freshly treated lawns whenever possible.

Injury

Pets sustain more injuries in the summer due to increased activities and distractions. Keeping your pet on leash or in a securely enclosed exercise area is a recommended practice. Many dogs love to hang their head out the window during car rides putting themselves at risk for serious eye injury. If you ride with a car window down be sure your pet cannot jump out of the car and never let your dog ride in the back of a truck without a secure tether short enough to prevent jumping overboard.

Being aware of these summer pet hazards and taking preventive action will allow both you and your pet to have an enjoyable and safe summer. So what are you waiting for? Let’s have some summer fun!

Dr. Boyd Harrell  can be reached at  boyd@PetProBusinessCoaching.com

Do you have an example of  an issue that happened with your pet? Share with us so we can learn.

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