When you decide to travel with your dog the packing and preparation you need to do are mainly mental, after all, dogs don’t have a lot of must-have items to pack.
First up is routine. While you may be on holiday your dog isn’t, they will still expect to be fed at the same time each day and given regular access to going to the toilet. The same is true for grooming. If your dog has growing nails make sure you take the nail clippers with you to keep them in check or be prepared to have stuff ripped up
Medication. If your dog needs medication make sure you take enough with you so you don’t need to visit a strange vet while you are away. It is also worth checking to make sure your dog has been microchipped so they can be identified and tracked back to you if they get lost.
Food. Lately, some dog food has been harder to get than normal due to interruptions in worldwide shipping so it might be worth taking a supply with you especially if your dog is a fussy eater. Some dogs can have tricky digestive systems and a change in food can result in waking up to some unpleasant surprises so it is also worth making sure you take a couple of changes of bedding as well.
Prepare for the heat. A few degrees increase in temperature can make a big difference to a dog, and heat stroke can be a big problem before you know it so always make sure your dog has plenty of shade and water.
In the car. Dogs like children should always travel in the back seat and wear a harness attached to the seatbelt system. In the front seat, an airbag going off could kill them.
Wow, that seems like a list of must-do’s, but it all balances out because it means your holiday will include your dog, and who wouldn’t want to do that?
