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Traveling safely with your pet is a huge concern for many owners, and while the well being of your pet is important, so is the mental state and attitude of all people and pets in the car.
Here are some tips to make the trip easier on both you and your pet:
1. Get your dog used to riding in the car by taking him on short trips. Go to fun places like the dog park, the fast food drive through (where you can feed him bits of meat from your burger), or to visit friends. You want him to think that trips in the car are fun. You don’t want your dog to think that all car trips end up at the vet’s office.
2. If your dog tends to get carsick, don’t feed him the morning of the trip. Having your dog travel with an empty stomach will help to prevent any car sickness.
3. You will need to take periodic stops to give your dog water and to go potty. Bring plenty of water and a water dish along. It will be easier to get your dog to drink if it is familiar water from home. Water in different places often smells or tastes differently, and your dog may not want to drink it.
4. Be sure to pack your dog’s food, treats, favorite bed, toys, and leash.
5. If your dog uses a crate, bring that along too. If you don’t have a large vehicle, you can buy crates that fold up. When you get to your destination, you can put your dog in his crate while you go somewhere that you can’t bring him along.
6. How should your dog travel in the car? If your dog likes to sit or lay on the seat, then you will need to purchase dog seat belts to keep your dog safe while sitting in the car. You may also want to bring a blanket to protect the upholstery. Other dogs may need to be kept in a crate in the car. Be sure the crate can’t slide around and scare the dog while you’re driving.
7. Make a stop every few hours to walk your dog and give him some water. Some dogs are frightened by the noisy trucks driving by, so try to walk in a quiet area. Be a good citizen and bring plastic bags along to pick up the mess.
8. If your dog is anxious about staying in a hotel or strange house at your destination, he might not eat or drink. You don’t want him to get dehydrated, so be sure to get him to drink, at least. You can mix chicken broth or gravy into the dog’s water. That will usually get him to lap it right up. You can mix chicken broth or gravy into the food too.
The first trip is usually the hardest, because your dog does not understand that you are coming back. Taking the time to make the first trip pleasant for your dog will make future traveling with your dog should be a breeze.
For more articles and information on dog-related topics, visit www.amazingmutts.org
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