During the summer months, it is especially tempting to take your furry friends on vacation with you. Traveling with your pet can be one of the best experiences, or one of the worst. There are a few tips and tidbits that you can use to help make your traveling plans more enjoyable for the whole family.
1.Riding in the car:
When you take your pet with you on the road, there are just a few things that you may want to plan on doing before you leave. Securing your pet in the vehicle is the first step to a safe road trip. There are several ways that you can do this, whether it's a crate, a seat belt tether, or a booster seat:
There are a few options for securing your dog in the car, but cats almost always travel best in kennels or carriers. Having your pets ride along in the front passenger seat can be a fun experience, but do so at your own discretion; it may be safer for them to ride in the back in case your airbags deploy in the event of a accident or crash.
Remember that your pet most likely will not be able to handle riding in the car for as long as you can. Frequent rest stops are a good idea, for a bathroom break, a drink of water, or a snack. When you do stop, making sure that your pet has a collar, leash, and an updated I.D tag are a good idea. Accidents happen, and having an injured pet or even a lost pet will ruin the vacation for everyone.
DO NOT leave your pet alone in the car during the summer. When it is only 72 degrees outside, the temperature within your car can rise to over 100 degrees within an hour. Even if you leave your windows cracked open when the temperature outside is above 80 degrees, your car can heat to over 100 degrees within just 10 minutes. Within 30 minutes, your car can reach temperatures that can lead to the death of your pet. For fido's safety, having a gauge for the inside of your car may be a good idea.
Coming next: Tips for traveling with a pet who gets car sick.
