Even the legislation in the place of destination may vary in relation to that of your area of residence.
To avoid problems, better be prepared.
The first question is: do we take the dog?
Sometimes caring for our pets can be exhausting, especially if we are traveling with children.
Taking a few days of vacation without your dog is a perfectly valid option.
As long as we make sure that you will be taken care of and your needs will be fully covered in our absence.
How do I do it?
- Spend time with the future caregiver days before
No one knows your dog like you. No matter how expert the person who will take care of your dog is, make sure that he knows well all the routines and peculiarities of your dog.
For example, give him a card with his daily routines, explain them and practice with him in advance.
- What to put on the tab:
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- General information (name, weight, castrated, etc.)
- Card data (chip) and civil liability insurance
- The contact of your trusted veterinarian 24h and if you have health insurance
- Dosage and daily food routines
- Walking and resting habits
- Medication and method of administration
- health pathologies
- behavior problems
- Precautions, leak risks
- Contacts to call in an emergency
- Everything you consider relevant
- worry about security
Your dog may react differently in an unfamiliar area and in your absence.
For this, you should ask the caregiver to exercise extreme caution.
Make sure that his harness and leash are in perfect condition and that he cannot come off under any circumstances.
Do not allow it to be released at risk or without knowing the animal well.
- Pay special attention if your dog is a nursing home
If you have a very old dog, consider the days you will be away and its health status. In those moments they need us more than ever.
Keep in mind that, in advanced ages, dogs do not tolerate changes or heat as well. And the stress produced can affect your health.
Residences without good air conditioning are not a good place for them.
I travel with my dog on vacation:
- Check that identification, vaccinations and deworming (internal and external) are up to date
Not only in your place of origin, but also in the destination if the dog travels with you.
For this, talk to your veterinarian about possible endemic diseases and carefully review the legislation of your destination area.
- Prepare your luggage
What is needed to take the dog on vacation?
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- Your card or passport
- His medication and all the dewormers recommended by your veterinarian according to the place of destination.
- Extra ride elements (harness and leash)
- A basket muzzle
- a travel bed
- A good dish for water
- Bags for excrement and bottle to clean your urination
- Small first aid kit with basic material for abrasions, cuts and other emergencies
- Food for the first week and dispenser
- some of your favorite toys
- Products and elements of daily hygiene (brush, sun cream if you need, creams for the pads if we go to the beach…)
- Anything that makes you spend a better stay
- Train him in time so that he can travel calmly by car or transporter
That your dog is calm and safe in the means of transport you choose to travel is something that you must also prepare in advance.
If you travel with a transport company, find out about the conditions in advance. Some large dogs may not be allowed in some of them.
If you travel by private car, find out what is the safest way to place your dog inside the vehicle, in addition to getting him used to being calm beforehand. How to do this, you have it in the article I wrote for very interesting last week .
- Plan your activities and leisure time well
Dogs and people are different. On the one hand, we do not feel as comfortable regarding the temperature and on the other we do not enjoy certain moments of leisure as much, such as a heavy metal concert.
- If you go to the beach: water and umbrella
Nowadays, many beaches allow dogs and for this reason those of us who have canine families choose them.
- Check access to the beach
Sometimes these beaches have long access, and getting there in August can end up with your dog scorched and heat stroke.
Remember that they don’t wear shoes and they can’t stand the heat, since they can only perspire through the tongue and pads.
- Set limits and give it rest
Some dogs are so passionate about playing or swimming that they put their health at risk.
Keep in mind that they can also drown or suffer from heat stroke . You are responsible for stopping him when he is not able.
In addition, dogs, in general, spend many hours sleeping during the day while we work or do other things. On vacation, it is also important to ensure your moments of rest.
