A friend of mine is moving and she had a good question: What do I need to take with me when traveling with my dog?
Here's a good starting list:
1. Vet Records - if you are moving, definately have a copy on hand. Make sure it includes your dog's pertinent medical history, not just a list of the last vaccines given. If your dog needs medical attention, having a copy in hand will be very helpful and could save precious time.
2. Medications - Keep a supply of whatever medications your dog is using on hand. This includes any heartworm and flea preventives, anti-inflammatories, and any other prescription medicines. Should you run out of any of these meds while traveling, it can be extremely difficult to procure more. Having ample supply on hand will give you more time to find a new vet if you have moved.
3. Food and bowls - Pre-measured makes live easier when traveling. Having familiar food also helps keep tummy upsets at bay. Again, if it is a special food and you are not able to readily acquire it at a pet store without a prescription, make sure you have enough for the trip.
4. Leash and collar - Keep a 4-6 foot leash with you. These are far safer than the flexi-leashes that are all the rage. When you are at a rest stop, allow your dog opportunity to 'do business', offer some water, and a short walk. The collar should be well-fitting.
5. Identification - Microchipping is highly recommended, as well as a tag on the collar. Go to the pet store and make a special tag with your cell number on it. If your dog gets loose at a rest stop, having your cell number will help your dog get to you faster than a call on your answering machine all the way back at home.
6. Travel safety gear - seatbelts are required for humans, why not dogs? The best seatbelt I've found is the one at this site. At roughly $20, it is a great insurance policy. Ein wears hers when we travel so she won't become an 85 lb projectile in my car.
7. Cleaning gear - accidents happen. In the car, at a hotel, and anywhere in between. Be a responsible pet owner and have supplies on hand to clean up any problems. Nature's miracle or similar product and a roll of paper towels will make any dog owner look stellar.
While not comprehensive, this is a good starting point for your list next time you and your dog go on a trip!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Spring Tune Up!
Spring will be here before we know it. (not that it looks anything like spring today - the snow is still falling!) Have you thought about a "Spring Tune-up" for your dog?
If your dog is due for an annual check up, call your vet and get that scheduled. Spring tends to be a busy time for annual exams.
Does your dog need heartworm preventive? Heartguard, Interceptor, Sentinel and Revolution are all medications that prevent heartworm disease. Some vets have you treat your pet year round, others have you treat April through December. Make sure you have enough for what your vet recommends and mark your calendar.
How about flea medication? Frontline and Advantage are good. Do not use the stuff you can get from the discount stores. Stay with the medications your vet recommends. The discount stores may be cheaper, but you put your dog's life at risk when you use them.
Has your dog had any change in habits? Eating more, drinking more, acting sore are all things you need to tell your vet. Anything out of the ordinary should be discussed and addressed.
Is your dog spayed or neutered? If not, schedule that as well. Spaying or neutering will greatly decrease the risk of various cancers, as well as keep the unwanted pet population from increasing.
Happy tune ups!
If your dog is due for an annual check up, call your vet and get that scheduled. Spring tends to be a busy time for annual exams.
Does your dog need heartworm preventive? Heartguard, Interceptor, Sentinel and Revolution are all medications that prevent heartworm disease. Some vets have you treat your pet year round, others have you treat April through December. Make sure you have enough for what your vet recommends and mark your calendar.
How about flea medication? Frontline and Advantage are good. Do not use the stuff you can get from the discount stores. Stay with the medications your vet recommends. The discount stores may be cheaper, but you put your dog's life at risk when you use them.
Has your dog had any change in habits? Eating more, drinking more, acting sore are all things you need to tell your vet. Anything out of the ordinary should be discussed and addressed.
Is your dog spayed or neutered? If not, schedule that as well. Spaying or neutering will greatly decrease the risk of various cancers, as well as keep the unwanted pet population from increasing.
Happy tune ups!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
New year, new dog?
If you are like many in the USA, you have made some resolutions for the New Year. How are your resolutions holding up?
About this time, people seem to be realizing their resolutions may be a little too lofty and are starting to re-evaluate.
Was your resolution to loose weight/exercise more? Gyms see a spike in memberships at the beginning of a year, yet those people who buy the memberships aren't appearing in the buildings.
Here's a very inexpensive way to get fit.......walk your dog!
OK, I know it is freezing cold outside and the forecast says these few weeks are climatologically the coldest of the winter. Should you want to start this regimen on the slower side, you can visit Hill's Food's website PetFit. This is a great resource to learn how to safely get you and your pet fit and healthy for the new year.
Before you start any exercise with your dog, please visit your physician and your veterinarian first! I don't want to be blamed if you try to do the weekend warrior thing and cause major injuries.
Once you are ready to start exercising with your dog, make sure you have the right equipment:
1. A good collar that fits well - you don't want your dog to back out of the collar and be running loose.
2. A good leash, 6 feet is enough length. Retractable leashes are just as bad as letting your dog run loose in my opinion. You want your dog to be working mentally as well as physically, and a shorter leash helps with that. Remember heeling? This is a good time to start that. If your dog is a puller, Gentle Leaders and Haltis can help.
Start your new regimen out slowly, especially if you or your dog haven't had much activity lately. Once around the block is sufficient to start, but make sure to work up from there. 30 minutes daily would be a good target.
Your dog will love you for this!
About this time, people seem to be realizing their resolutions may be a little too lofty and are starting to re-evaluate.
Was your resolution to loose weight/exercise more? Gyms see a spike in memberships at the beginning of a year, yet those people who buy the memberships aren't appearing in the buildings.
Here's a very inexpensive way to get fit.......walk your dog!
OK, I know it is freezing cold outside and the forecast says these few weeks are climatologically the coldest of the winter. Should you want to start this regimen on the slower side, you can visit Hill's Food's website PetFit. This is a great resource to learn how to safely get you and your pet fit and healthy for the new year.
Before you start any exercise with your dog, please visit your physician and your veterinarian first! I don't want to be blamed if you try to do the weekend warrior thing and cause major injuries.
Once you are ready to start exercising with your dog, make sure you have the right equipment:
1. A good collar that fits well - you don't want your dog to back out of the collar and be running loose.
2. A good leash, 6 feet is enough length. Retractable leashes are just as bad as letting your dog run loose in my opinion. You want your dog to be working mentally as well as physically, and a shorter leash helps with that. Remember heeling? This is a good time to start that. If your dog is a puller, Gentle Leaders and Haltis can help.
Start your new regimen out slowly, especially if you or your dog haven't had much activity lately. Once around the block is sufficient to start, but make sure to work up from there. 30 minutes daily would be a good target.
Your dog will love you for this!
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