Dog Travel Safety Tips

Summer vacation. These are, quite possibly the two best words in the English language (aside from maybe "Lotto winner" and "Haagen-Dazs Swiss Vanilla Almond ice cream." Which is more than two words, but ice cream doesn't have to follow the same rules as the rest of the universe!).

As much as I enjoy Long Island, especially in the summertime, I love planning a vacation for when the weather gets warm: heading upstate to the mountains where my aunt and uncle had a wonderful summer house when I was growing up; spending a few days in Ithaca where I went to college; or driving up to Maine to see a friend who inexplicably traded her Long Island life and Express account for life on a farm with cows named after Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters.

But, like any dog owner, the question becomes, what do you do with your four-legged best friend when you go on vacation? Sure, you could hire a dog sitter, board your dog with a reliable service, or drop her off at Mom and Dad's for the week (this works better when you don't have a young dog who still periodically eats TV remotes and random shoes).

However, to me, vacation is about relaxing, having fun and spending time with loved ones. And my dogs are high on my list of loved ones that I want to spend time with.

It's not just me, either: More and more people are opting to take their dogs with them on vacation -- and more and more hotels are welcoming these furry guests.

But traveling with pets creates a host of potential safety hazards. So as we enter into that summer travel time of year, I thought I'd share some safety tips for traveling with pets. Feel free to add your on tips in the comment section at the end of this post!

BEFORE YOU GO

• Take your dog for a vet check up to make sure he or she is in good health, up to date on all shots and ready for vacation. Don't forget to update your dog's flea and tick medicine, as different areas may have higher concentrations of these pests.

•  Get the name of a local veterinarian and a 24-hour animal hospital near where you'll be staying, and program the directions to both into your phone or navigator (if you're not a high tech kind of person, write them down and put them in your glove compartment). In an emergency, knowing where to go and how to get there can save you precious minutes, which could save your pet's life.
•  Pack a first aid kit for your pet with scissors, tweezers, a sterile needle (to remove ticks or splinters), eye dropper, sterile gauze pads, rolled gauze, adhesive first aid tape, bandages, anti-bacterial wipes, Q-tips, hot/cold pack, turkey baster (for flushing wounds or force feeding), 10cc syringe with no needle (for administering medications), betadine solution, antibiotic ointment, sterile saline eye solution, styptic powder (to stop bleeding from broken toenails), hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting if needed), Pepto Bismol or milk of magnesia, activated charcoal tablets (can be used to absorb many toxics), Benadryl, a dog CPR guide, dog booties or little socks (to protect hurt paws), a muzzle, towels and a thermal blanket.
• Consider taking a canine CPR class before you go.
• Crate train your dog and always bring a travel crate. If you become ill or injured and someone who doesn't know your pet must handle him or her, crating your pet may be essential, and if your dog is not crate-friendly, it can make it harder for your dog to find a person or facility to keep them safe in your absence.
• Pick up a lighted collar ornament for your dog (costs about $2) so if you are taking your dog out at night in unfamiliar environments, you (and any passing motorists) can see him/her.

IN THE CAR

• Long car rides can be stressful even for seasoned canine travelers. While it's tempting to start your trip first thing in the morning, try to plan a little exercise for your dog before heading out. A long walk or a romp in the park before heading out will help tire your dog out and lower his or her stress levels, making the trip more pleasant for everyone.
• When traveling with your dog, always carry a photo of your dog and a copy of all veterinary paperwork showing that your dog is up-to-date on shots. Tags are not considered proof of shots in some states, and having paperwork ensures that if you were in an accident, your dog would not be turned away from a shelter facility due to uncertain status with regard to vaccinations. If you have an iPhone, you can also store all your dog's medical records on that using the Pet Notebook app.
• If you travel frequently, consider microchipping your dog. Dogs that are lost far from home are much harder to recover, and a microchip dramatically increases your chance of being reunited with your pup should he or she get lost.
• While it might be tempting to bang out as many hours on the road as you can without a break, too many hours in the car can lead to a dog who is unhappy, irritable or even destructive. If you're planning a drive that will span several days, map out the trip in advance with breaks set for places where your dog can get some exercise. 
• When taking a break, try to avoid busy rest stops where noise and traffic can continue to act as stressors for your dog. Take an extra few minutes off the beaten track to find a residential area where you dog can stretch his or her legs without being accompanied by the sound of blaring horns. Or, if your dog enjoys dog parks, you can plan stops at dog parks along the way to get rid of all that pent up energy. Don't know where the dog parks are on your route? Don't worry -- there's an app for that (Off Leash, which can be downloaded free from iTunes)!
• Take water breaks every few hours. A large thermos will hold plenty of water, keep it cold, and double as a water bowl. And be sure to give your dog plenty of potty breaks (don't forget the poop bags!), since the stress of traveling can upset your dog's stomach.
• NEVER leave your dog in a hot car, even for a short time. When temperatures are in the low 70s, an enclosed car can hit 100 plus degrees within minutes, and a cracked window does little to stop that. Dogs are extremely vulnerable to heat-related illness because they can only cool off by panting and through their paw pads.
• If your dog doesn't travel in a crate, be sure to use a well fitted harness, which acts as a doggie seatbelt and protects your dog in case of an accident. And never let your dog hang his or her head out the car window while you're driving; pebbles, cigarette butts or other debris can lead to eye lacerations or other injuries. 
• Consider trading in your favorite hard rock CD for classical, or something equally soothing; soft music can help calm dogs' nerves and help them to relax during the trip.

AT THE HOTEL

• If you're planning a stop at a pet-friendly hotel, do your research first. It's not enough that a guide book or Web site says they take pets; many hotels that claim to be pet friendly will not accept dogs over a certain weight, multiple dogs or certain breeds. Additionally, new management can mean a change in policies, so always call prior to your trip to confirm that your dog will be welcome.
• Never leave a dog alone in a hotel room uncrated. Even well behaved dogs can be stressed by being left alone in unfamiliar surroundings, and can become destructive. Additionally, unexpected visits by housekeeping could allow your dog to escape the room and end up lost. In the event of a fire or other emergency, dogs can become fearful and hide or run, making it harder for someone to rescue them. 
• Even a hotel that accepts pets may ask you to leave if your dog behaves inappropriately, barks excessively, etc. If your dog needs a brush up on basic obedience, consider a refresher course prior to your trip.

WHILE TRAVELING

• Keep your dog on his/her regular feeding schedule to avoid accidents or loose stools. And be sure to bring plenty of food; you don't want to end up having to purchase a different brand because they don't carry your regular brand where you are; changing foods can lead to stomach upset.
• Bring some familiar items from home (dog bed or mat, toys, a favorite bone) to make the trip seem less disruptive. 
• Scout out things to do with your dog before you get to your destination: hiking trails, swimming ponds, agility classes or dog-friendly parks can make the trip a fun vacation for both of you.
• Be sure your trip's itinerary will allow you to spend time with your dog. If you're going to be out sightseeing all day while your dog is stuck in an unfamiliar hotel room, you may be better off leaving your dog at home with a trusted friend or reliable dog care provider.
• If you're planning a vacation with your dog, consider a destination that's geared specifically for dogs and the people who love them -- like CANINE CLUB GETAWAY -- where your dog will have a chance to enjoy plenty of activities like hiking, swimming, agility, lure coursing, scent detection, flyball, Frisbee and more.