If you couldn’t tell by the title, this post is about driving cars and taking your pets along with you. Who doesn’t love to take their pets on a road trip? Family is family and whether it’s a summer vacation or just popping out for the weekend, we want to be together. So, here are some special precautions should be heeded before you herd your entire “pack” into the van and drive into the sunset:
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Make sure to go on a walk with your pupper before the trip
This single event may be the difference between a calm peaceful ride and a hectic “I wanna go wee-wee and have all this built-up energy” sort of state. Sure you’ll have to stop several times along the way, but this last-minute walk is worth the extra time. If it’s a cat you have, then getting used to the carrier beforehand is crucial, as mentioned in other posts on travelling with pets.
Hot cars and overheating
We just can’t stress this enough: DON’T LEAVE YOUR PETS IN THE CAR, EVER!!
Even if it’s just for a minute. Even you crack a window. Pets don’t sweat like we do. Even a cracked window will not relieve how hot they can get very quickly inside a car. Within minutes it’s like an oven in there and the effects of heat stroke in our pets are quick to occur and difficult to reverse because they cause organ failure, among other things. Please avoid at all costs! In case of emergency, you have the Petable App to tell you where the nearest vet is.
Nature’s summer hazards
Have you heard of foxtail? Well, it’s a sneaky little wheat-like plant whose arrow-shaped seeds can get into eyes, ears and all sorts of crevices in our buddies’ bodies (see what I did there?). The effects of encountering one of these (and they are just about anywhere this time of year) can make you wonder if nature isn’t just out to get your pet. Don’t fret. Just make sure you pay special attention after they’ve been walking and running up and down fields where these plants exist and inspect their fur, ears and spaces between the fingers for those pesky darted seeds. Once the foxtail seeds start making their way up whatever path they found, it’s a one-way route so you better get them beforehand AND pay special attention to your puppers pawing at their noses or ears, letting you know something’s a-bother.
Take their stuff with you
Don’t forget a portable water bowl (important during the trip, for those frequent breaks). But also their food bowl, favourite toys and bed – for when you get to your destination. Most important is having them correctly identified (with a microchip ideally) and with a collar ID so that if they do get lost in their new environment, you’ll be able to get them back quickly and effectively. Keep all their info handy on your mobile phone with the App that you know and love and check out Petable.care posts with more tips and tricks for safe travels with pets.
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