Are you traveling, and are you in the company of your dog? If so, you should ensure that your dog is comfortable and safe throughout the journey. Leaving your dog at home as you hit the road will make them happy.
However, when comfort and safety are provided, you and your dog could be happier throughout your trip. If you and your dog are inseparable, or that you are traveling with your whole family, there could be no one left behind to care for your dog, and bringing her along is the best alternative.
There are tips for a low-stress and safe trip with your dog. In this article, I will share such tips for you for a more practical approach.
1. Do Not Allow Your Dog to Roam Randomly.
Always ensure that your dog doesn’t freely roam in the car. I would recommend that she stays safe in a crate which is anchored to the car preferably using a seat belt. With a seat belt or dog restraint, you are confident your dog cannot roam randomly in the car. This way, the driver is less distracted thereby minimizing chances of an accident. (1)
However, if your dog does not identify with car rides, it could feel nervous and uncomfortable as you travel. Therefore, it is crucial that their and your safety is provided by keeping the dog calm and relaxed even when restrained in a crate. Playing some dog-soothing music could help minimize dog anxiety and calm her significantly.
2. Do Not Allow Your Dog to Pop Its Head Out Through the Window.
As a rule, your pet’s head must be kept inside. Ensure that you safely keep your dog inside the car while on the road all the time. If you allow your dog to stick her head out through your car window, you significantly could expose her to injury by debris or particles hanging freely in the air.
Also, your dog could fall sick if cold air is forced into her lungs when her head is popped outside (2). This is the reason you should also avoid transporting your dog in the back of an open pickup.
3. Never Leave the Dog Alone in Your Vehicle.
It could sound normal leaving your dog alone in the car, especially when making a pit stop. However, this length of time is too long for a dog to be alone in the car.
Think of the hazardous heat exposure when your dog is left in the car. For instance, the temperature outside the car could be at 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and it could rise to 116 inside the vehicle in less than an hour. If it is 85 degrees Fahrenheit outside, ten minutes are enough for the figure rise by around 20 units even when the windows are slightly open.
Therefore, do not leave your dog in the car as such temperatures could potentially harm her. High temperatures in the car could also trigger organ damage and eventual death. What about the possibility of your dog getting stolen when left alone in the car?
4. Do Not Fly with Your Brachycephalic-faced Dogs
Does your dog have a pushed-in face? That means it is brachycephalic-faced, and air transport is usually dangerous for her. Therefore, it is vital that you consider an alternative means of travel. Mainly, air transport is not a safe option for pugs and bulldogs.
As an article on Huffington Post reveals, since brachycephalic-faced dogs have short nasal passages, they are exposed to oxygen deprivation as well as heat stroke vulnerabilities. (3)
While I recommend that you better leave your dog with a boarding kennel or dog sitter, there are moments you must carry along your dog. Therefore, you need to compare the risks and benefits of flying with your brachycephalic-faced dog.
5. Do Not Fly with Your Dog Unless They Occupy the Cabin.
Have you reviewed all the possible alternatives to flying with your dog? If flying is the only option you got, then ensure that your dog is in the cabin.
It is critical to consult with your airline or travel agency to determine whether they accept dogs in the cabin. For instance, it is likely that you will need to incur an extra cost for bringing your dog on board. Also, contacting the airlines in advance will allow you to know the maximum number of dogs allowable on board.
Also, you should have the necessary immunization and dog health certificates. Lastly, your dog should be in the recommended dog carrier brands. This way, your flight will be safe, enjoyable, and stress-free.
6. Do Not Fly with Your Dog While She Occupies the Cargo Hold.
I must acknowledge that most animals are safe when flown in the plane’s cargo areas. However, it is undeniable that some get injured, lost, or even killed on commercial flights every year. Why are cargo areas unsafe for your dog? Well, these areas are notoriously known for rough handling, poor ventilation, and excessively cold or hot temperatures (4).
As you fly, your dog should be safe on the plane. Seek an alternative means of transport if your dog can only be in the cargo hold area.
Conclusion
Whichever means you use to travel, the comfort and safety of your dog should be a top priority. Ensure that you carry the right safety tools and enough food, but also ensure that the conditions under which your dog is traveling do not present any health or physical risk to your dog. Remember, you can only enjoy your trip and vacation if your dog is safe and comfortable.
Author Bio:
Ruby is the proud owner of Pet So Fun. She is also responsible for the abundant content creation on the website. She knows that there are millions of pet owners looking for the right kind of information online. And this is where her expertise lies. Smith writes about pet care health and fitness along with the best pet product recommendations. There is nothing on her blog that doesn’t encourage others to create a healthy and friendly environment for their pets.