Hit the Road With Your Pet This Summer

Now that summer has arrived and you've got some vacation time, you may want to go on an epic road trip to a hiking trail, campground, or some other exotic locale. You might even want to take your beloved pet with you to enhance the fun and prevent separation anxiety. But as is the case with so many aspects of pet care, the right preparations and precautions can go a long way toward a happier experience for all. Here are some smart steps you should take when traveling with your pet.

Prepare Your Vehicle (and Your Pet)

Any summer road trip, pet or no pet, can benefit from a preliminary vehicle inspection. Get your car checked thoroughly and get any necessary maintenance or repair work completed before you set off.

While you're getting your vehicle ready for your road trip, make sure your pet is travel-ready too. A veterinary wellness exam is a smart move to ensure that your pet is in good enough shape to make the trip safely. Make a point of updating your pet's vaccinations -- especially against rabies, since your pet may encounter infected animals at some point in the adventure.

Even an experienced four-legged traveler can experience motion sickness or anxiety in a moving vehicle. If you already know that your dog or cat suffers from these issues, talk to your vet about medications that might help make the journey easier.

Does your pet know how to relax in a carrier? These handy conveyances for dogs and cats offer extra safety and comfort on a long road trip. If you have some advance notice before you travel, get a carrier that fits your pet and let it practice entering, exiting, and staying in it. Add some snacks, toys, water, and a blanket, and you've created a "mini-motel" for your pet while making it that much easier for you to carry your furry friend from one destination to the next.

Find a Pet-Friendly Hotel

What will you do with your pet when it's time to pull over for a night's sleep? Many roadside hotels and motels prohibit dogs and cats from staying as guests -- but not all. A pet-friendly hotel will typically welcome dogs and/or cats for an additional charge. Some may even provide goodies such as tennis balls, walking paths, and treats as part of the deal.

Keep in mind, however, that all pet hotels are not created equal. Policies can vary wildly from one hotel to the next. For instance, does your prospective hotel accept only dogs, dogs and cats, or a wide range of animals? Call ahead, ask lots of questions, and shop around until you find a satisfactory solution.

Make Sure Your Pet's Needs Are Met

We've already mentioned several essentials for comfortable pet travel, from treats and toys to water and blankets. Of course, you'll also want to pack plenty of your travel companion's favorite food. But make sure that your pet has a full meal at least four hours before you embark on your trip. If your pet has plenty of time to relieve itself beforehand, that's one less roadside stop (or one less unfortunate mess) for you to worry about.

Even with your pet's immediate needs under control, you should schedule frequent stops during your drive. This will give you the chance to check on your pet's well being, let it get some exercise/playtime, and administer food and water as needed.

Make a point of letting your pet exit the vehicle whenever you do. It's all too easy to leave a pet in a car without realizing it. Even with the windows cracked, a parked car that isn't running its air conditioning can get hot enough to kill an animal within minutes. If you notice drooling, an elevated heart rate and temperature, diarrhea, vomiting, or weakness in your pet, suspect heatstroke and rush the animal to a veterinary clinic for evaluation and treatment.

Camp and Hike With Caution

If you stop during your road trip to explore a trail, leash your pet and make sure that both of you stick to that trail instead of wandering into the surrounding brush. Wild foliage serves as a natural hiding place for snakes, some of which may have a venomous bite. If your dog receives a snake bite and shows symptoms such as drooling, pale gums, trembling, fainting, or labored breathing, put your trip on hold and make a speedy detour to the nearest animal hospital for emergency treatment.

Did you know that pets can suffer from sunburn just as humans can? Your veterinarian can recommend a pet-friendly sunscreen for you to apply to your pet's skin periodically. (Follow the instructions on the label.) Your pet will also benefit from any shade you can find during your outdoor adventures. Shade (and plenty of access to cool water) can also help your pet avoid heatstroke.

Prepare Now for Upcoming Summer Fun in the Sun

As you can see, you have some thinking to do and errands to run before you and your pet ride off together under the summer sun. Start by booking a veterinary appointment so your pet can receive a clean bill of health -- and so you can pick up any extra tips that might make your road trip even safer and more enjoyable!