from http://www.edmunds.com/
"Hey Buddy, wanna ride?"
No, we're not soliciting. Thats just how Edmunds editors whip their best buddies into an instant four-footed frenzy. And why not? Our dogs love to ride in the car -- its part of their job description.
Whether you have a dog or other household pet, there's much more to keeping your furry friend safe and happy than just opening the passenger door. Here are tips to make your long road trip -- or even your sunday drive -- problem free.
1. Go to the vet. Before a road trip is a good time to take your pet for that overdue visit to the veterinarian. Beyond ensuring your pets health, its the only way to get a bona fide health certificate. That certificate -- and proof of an updated rabies vaccine -- is necessary if you board your pet at your destination.
The vet may also test for heartworm and give your other vaccinations, including Bordatella, parvo, and even Lyme disease, depending on where you're headed. Pets traveling to Canada, Mexico, or beyond, require more legal documentation and somtimes a quarantine period. (Check with your vet.)
Is your dog of the nervous sort? Your vet may also choose to prescribe a sedative (for him, not for you).
2. Tags aren't just for luggage. Your dog should always have a sturdy collar with home address and telephone number on a tag. To protect him while traveling, tape your local contact information or your cell phone number onto the tag before leaving, or get a second tag. Many pets today also have a microchip implanted under their skin as a form of permanent ID; it can be read with a special scanner. Also carry a current photo of your dog that can be copied, to make it easier for others to recognize him and return him if he gets lost.
3. Pack -- and plan -- for your pet. Just like you, pets like the comforts of home: their own bed, toys, brush, even their own dishes. Bring them with you if possible. Pack a bowl for his water, treats, a first-aid kit, medications (both oral and topical), and a copy of his medical records. Most important though, bring your pets own food. Trust me; this is not the time to get experimental with your pets digestive tract. (if you've ever changed your dogs food all of a sudden, you know what i mean).
Nationally known vet, Dr. Jeff Werber, also warns that municipal water systems vary from place to place, so don't just let Fido drink the local water. The abrupt change could give him diarrhea. Instead, start with a gallon of water from home, and "water your dog" along the route, topping off the gallon from a local water source at each stop. That way, the change is gradual.
If you're planning on staying at a hotel with your dog, confirm the details of your reservations in advance. "Make sure the hotels are truely pet friendly and know what their services are," says Werber "You dont want any last minute surprises, like weight limits." And of course, dont forget the pooper scoopers.
4. Use some restraint. Just as humans need seatbelts, animals need some form of safety restraint when in the car. Pet barriers, which merely seperate your pet from the rear of the seat, don't do much to protect the animals. Pets carriers, however, do. Carriers are essentially boxes made to confine and secure your animal. They come in different shapes, sizes and materials, but all should be well ventilated and have a secure door and latch. They should be large enough that your dog can sit and lie down. They should be comfortable by lining the bottom with sheepskin, towels or foam. (How'd you like to lie on hard plastic all day?) Most important is to actually secure the carrier to the car, otherwise it can become projectile, injuring both your pet and the cars occupants.
Fortunately for dogs, they have a more liberating option than a carrier. A special restraining harness can connect a dog to safety belts, preventing him from flying forward during a sudden braking or impact. The dog can stand, sit, or lie down, but not get loose. When you're ready to leave the car, just snap the leash onto the dogs harness and you're ready to go.
Before you open the car door, even for a second, make sure the leash is on him and that you have a firm grasp. If not you might find yourself chasing your dog through an unknown environment, or even worse -- traffic.
5. Dogs love trucks, but.... Dogs love trucks, its true, but its estimated that more than 100,000 dogs die from falls from pick up trucks each year. Bumps in the road or quick swerving motions can throw the dog out of the truck bed, injuring or killing him and potentially causing more accidents as other drivers swerve to avoid him. Dogs can also jump out, sometimes because the bed becomes too hot for their paws. According to the Humane Society of the United States, though, there is no harness or leash that will keep a dog safe in the back of a pick up truck, in fact, it could strangle him if he's thrown. Instead, place the dog in a carrier in the back of an extended crew cab. If you must put a dog in the bed, get a crate made especially for that purpose, and tie it down tight.
6. Animals get car sick, too. Some people get car sick; so do some animals. If this sounds like your pet, give him a light meal a few hours before you leave and feed him minimally during the drive. Offer him small amounts of water periodically in the hours before the trip. If you can, take ice cubes, which are easier on your pet than gulping down large amounts of water. (they'll also keep him busy.) If your dog isnt accustomed to to car travel or to a carrier, break him in gradually, well in advance of the trip, by taking short trips and using lots of praise.
7. No doggie in the window. Dogs absolutley love to stick their heads out the window and smell the air as it rushes by. Though its sad to deprive them of this enjoyment, many dogs are injured when road debris or insects fky into their eyes, nostrils and windpipe. They can also become ill by having cold air forced into their lungs. Whats more, dogs have accidentally strangulated themselves by stepping on the electric window control. So keep the dog inside.
That doesn't mean a dog never gets to enjoy the wind in their fur. Our senior videographer's dog, Isabelle, likes to ride shotgun in his swanky new convertible, but her harness safely prevents her from sticking her neck too far out into the windstream.
8. Skip the hot dog. Your dog or other pet can't tell you if he's feeling hot or cold, so be aware of the temperature. If humans are wearing jackets, perhaps Fido would appreciate a blanket too. In warm weather, open a window or raise the air conditioning to prevent overheating or dehydration. (Direct sun can be even harder on dark colored dogs, so consider sunshades if your windows aren't tinted.) Bear in mind that while there are vents for the heat or a/c in the front of the car, there may not be any in the back.
Never leave your dog, or any pet or child, alone in the car. In the summer, the cars internal temperature can rise to fatal levels very quickly, even with your windows ajar. If you need to run into the store or stop for a bite to eat, take your pet with you if possible. If not, ask a travel companion to walk your pet or remain with the pet in the car while you attend to business. This also prevents pet-napping. Its rare, but it happens.
9. Take frequent breaks. A dogs legs need to be streched just like yours do, perhaps twice as much. Your pet also needs water, exercise and potty breaks at regular intervals. Having your dog lie beneath the cafe table while you eat lunch is not exercise, so be sure to take Fido once around the block before jumping back in the car. Taking time for your pet may also help you take in some interesting sights along your trip.
10. Avoid poison and choking hazards. Some dogs will eat anything, but ingesting anti freeze, even small amounts, can be fatal to cats, dogs and birds alike. Clean up any anti freeze spill immediately. Even better, consider switching from conventional ethylene glycol anti freeze to a propylene glycol-based anti freeze, which is much less toxic.
While you snack in the front seat, aviod feeding your dog foods that are known canine toxins, such as chocolate, macadamia nuts, grapes or raisins. So, too, watch out for choking hazards in the car such as pennies, bones (yes, bones.), socks, and small toys.
Finally, ask your dealer if there are any customized accessories for traveling with your dogs. You might find a seat cover that fits like a glove, preventing fur, saliva, and mud from coming between you and your best friend.
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