Summer travel and your pet
| Critter care |
By Dr. Eileen Alberton DVM
Williams Lake Vet Hospital
With good weather starting, and summer around the corner, it is time to start thinking about travelling with your four legged companions so that they are safe.
Even as spring is just starting in the Cariboo, the car can become very warm when the windows are up, and you are parked in the sun. If you have your dog or cat with you, keeping some of all of the windows cracked is a must.Leave the car somewhere in the shade and remember that if you are gone a few hours, the shade will move.
If you will be doing errands for a number of hours, taking your pet out for a short walk to stretch his legs, and to go to the bathroom will keep him more comfortable. Remember your poop bag! If we remember to be respectful of property, we will not start seeing laws that restrict our movement with our pets. Carrying a thermos, or plastic container with a lid filled with water will also go a long way to prevent dehydration as the summer heat becomes more intense. Also, drinking out of puddles, or from different water sources can make pets with sensitive stomachs get a case of vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Since we are on the topic of travelling with pets, remember that it is actually against the law for pets to be transported in the back of a truck without being restrained. Restraint can be in the form of a short leash or chain secured to the centre of the truck bed, so that the dog cannot jump out of the box and hang himself, or a kennel secured to the box. If you have a canopy, it is still a good idea to have a kennel secured in the back, so that the dog does not go flying if there is a sudden stop.
If the pets are in the vehicle, there is no law stating they need to have a seat belt, but you can buy seat belts, put them inside a kennel that is belted in. This prevents a dog or cat from getting in your way, and becoming a projectile and injuring themselves or you if there is a sudden stop.
If going across the border to the US, don’t forget you need proof of a current rabies vaccination, whether travelling with your dog or your cat. And if you are going to a flea or a heartworm area, don’t forget to talk to your veterinary health professionals about products to prevent picking up these parasites.So, keep yourself and your pet safe, and comfortable, and happy travelling, whether a short trip to town, or a long road trip!
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