Whether it’s a week-long road trip or an afternoon getaway to your local park, summertime is the perfect season to make memories with your family, and that often includes your four-legged friend. However, it’s important to take special precautions and plan ahead to ensure the comfort of your dog. We’ve compiled some helpful guidelines to keep in mind the next time you hit the road with your pet – follow these tips and you’re sure to have the best summer yet with your favorite canine!
Frightened Fido: Preventing Anxiety During Car Rides
It’s not uncommon for dogs to experience anxiety during a trip in the car – many dogs experience shaking, panic and even illness when they go for a drive. One of the main reasons is because they’re typically associating a hop in the SUV with a trip to the vet, so you can’t blame them for their apprehension.
However, there are many preventative steps you can take to alleviate their fear, including getting your pup acclimated over a period of time. If you’re able to share the driving duties with someone else, certain techniques include sitting in the backseat and soothing your dog in order to lessen their anxiety and the negative associations they’ve made with a ride in the family station wagon.
Helpful Tip: Before you head out the door, always check online or call ahead to learn about the current weather and leash laws of your destination.
Sunblock for Your Pooch: Keep Cars Cool for Your Dog’s Safety
If you’re going to be traveling by car this summer, it’s beneficial to bring along sun shades for your vehicle’s car windows. Even in cooler temps, the bright sun can turn your parked car into a sauna, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion for your beloved pet once you’re ready to hit the road again. Dogs overheat easily, so it’s especially crucial to be mindful of your car’s interior temperature at all times.
Sun shades installed on your car windows can be an inexpensive way to block up to 85% of harmful UV rays – and by keeping your car’s interior cooler, it’s a win-win for everyone. Be sure to have your dog crated and your cat in a carrier to keep them safe and secure during your journey: crates and carriers should be firmly anchored with a seat belt if possible to ensure they don’t move around the vehicle.
Helpful Tip: Never leave your pet alone in an unattended vehicle. Even if it’s for a quick pit-stop, the harm it may cause your pet can be irreversible, regardless of the temperature.
Aerodynamic Doggies: How to Travel with Pets by Plane
Before you consider taking your pet on your next flight, carefully consider the pros and cons beforehand, including their age, breed, and preexisting health conditions – you may want to ask your pet’s vet if they’re in good enough health to fly. The Humane Society recommends leaving your pet under the care of a boarding kennel or pet sitter if possible.
However, in the event that you must bring your pooch along, it’s essential to contact your airline well in advance to learn of the rules and regulations you must follow to ensure your pet’s safety and well-being. Most airlines will allow you to take a small dog in the cabin for an additional fee.
Helpful Tip: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the flight regulations entailed, there are pet travel companies that can help you navigate through the process of flying with a pet.
We know you love your pets, and that’s why you’re a Canna-Pet customer. As we’ve reviewed, taking the appropriate safety measures during travel is important, but choosing the right dietary supplements for your dog is just as essential. Veterinary-recommended, certified organic, and covered by major pet insurers, we provide the highest quality hemp nutrition for pets available anywhere.
Be prepared for any anxiety or uneasiness that may arise this summer while traveling with your pet by stocking up on Canna-Pet capsules and dog biscuits today. Traveling with your pet should be fun for both of you. Protecting their safety is your job, but protecting their health is ours! Learn more about our products here.