School holidays is a time when many pet-lovers hit the road with their four-legged friends. Dr Katrina Warren offers her best tips for a happy and safe doggy holiday.
The school holidays are a great opportunity for you and your family to take a trip with your pet dog. The weather around Easter time tends to be a little cooler than summer, so there’s less chance of heat stress, but it’s still warm enough to be able to enjoy getting out and about with your four-legged friend in a new location. Before you hit the road, however, there are a few things you must do to help ensure your trip is a safe and happy one.
- Schedule a visit to your vet a couple of weeks prior to departure to make sure your pet is up to date with worming, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention.
- Make sure that your dog’s microchip details are up to date with your current contact details. I recommend all dogs also wear an ID tag with your mobile number and the contact number of the place you are staying.
- If you are travelling to areas on the East Coast of Australia, paralysis ticks can be a huge problem and you should start preventative treatment a couple of weeks prior to travel — speak with your vet about the best option for your dog.
- If your dog isn’t used to travelling in the car, take a few shorter trips around your local area to help familiarise him with the process. This will hopefully result in an animal that remains calm and relaxed when you’re in it for the long(er) haul.
- Finally, it’s important to always keep your pet safe when you travel. PETS recommends using a proper harness or pet seatbelt to help keep your dog safe in the unfortunate event of an accident.
For more pet travel tips, grab a copy of Pets Magazine at your local newsagent or online at universalshop.com.au.
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