(FOX Providence) - Many of us will be taking vacations this summer with our families. And for a lot of us, our pet is part of the family. So, its only right when our pet leaves the house we take the right precautions.
Ann Klocke, emergency clinician at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists, joined The Rhode Show with important safety tips.
What tips do you have for travel safety with a pet riding in a car?
* Always make sure that you have fresh water available for your pet or that you plan on stopping to offer water periodically, as they can become dehydrated from panting even when air conditioning is available. Travel water bowls that fold for easy storage can be picked up at most local pet stores (show example). Allow for time to walk your pet every few hours so they don't have any accidents in the car.
* No pet should be left inside a vehicle for more than the time it takes for a quick bathroom break, especially if they do not have access to water. Opening the window a bit may help, but it is not enough. The interior of a car can quickly exceed 100 degrees in summer weather. Whenever possible, someone should remain with the pet in the car so that the air conditioning and engine can be left running. This is especially true for the brachycephalic or 'short-nosed' breeds like bulldogs, pugs, puggles or any dogs that have medical conditions involving airway collapse (laryngeal paralysis, collapsing trachea, etc).
* For cats, small dogs and pocket pets, I recommend that they be kept in in a carrier of some sort during travel by car. Being in a moving vehicle can be a stressful situation especially if it is not a common occurrence, so being enclosed can help reduce the anxiety in some pets. This is also an important safety measure for pets that may try to move about the cabin of the car during travel, since being enclosed can help avoid situations were they get in the way while you are driving and can reduce injury if you should have an accident. Pets should have enough room to stand up and turn around in such carriers.
*For large dogs, a large crate can be used. If you have a 'station wagon' type-vehicle the back of the car can be sectioned off for your dog. One new dog accessory is a doggie seat belt that can be purchased at many pet supply stores or online. This invention has a harness that is fitted to your dog and then connects to the seat belt or another hook in the car to keep your pet secure while allowing some mobility.
2. How can I reduce anxiety for a pet when traveling?
* For some pets, typically dogs, it is best to start early in life and reinforce the time spent in a car with positive re-enforcement such as treats and praise.
*Despite some of your best efforts, there will be pets that get very anxious when they travel. For these pets, medication may help them to relax. Many medications are available these days from simple over the counter medications that have mild sedative effects like Benadryl, to prescription medications that help control anxiety on a daily or as needed basis, such as Acepromazine, Xanax, Prozac, Clomicalm or other choices. You should always consult a veterinarian before giving a pet ANY of these medications. Preliminary blood work may be recommended and doses may vary.
* Along similar lines, if your pet develops car sickness when traveling, there is medication available to reduce nausea (Dramamine or Meclizine). Once again, you can consult your local veterinarian regarding a prescription for this type of medication.
3. What should I know if I want to fly with my pet?
*Flying with a pet is a common practice, though there is an additional cost that can vary from $70-250 depending on which airline carrier you are using. Most airlines will accept dogs, cats, pocket pets such as rabbits and some birds. Reptiles and amphibians are restricted from many major airlines. Regulations vary a great deal from airline to airline, but are typically displayed on their website. Typically a health certificate needs to be filled out by a veterinarian and submitted to the airline at least 10 days prior to travel. You also should have verification that your pet is up to date on vaccines such as rabies.
*If you are flying to another state, you should consult with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Veterinary Specialist to find out if there are any important things you require to bring your pet to this destination. If you are leaving the country, you will have to take your pet through customs and it is important to look into any regulations that may be required for entry at your destination. For some countries like Bahrain, there is an national official that must be contacted prior to your trip.
*Small domestic pets can travel with you in the cabin of most airlines as long as they are in a carrier and can be stored under your seat.
*Many, but not all, airlines allow transport of larger dogs in their cargo hold, but there are specific windows of time for this based on the weather.
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