Traveling with your dog

By Car

Although your dog may love short trips to the park, there are many factors to think about when traveling long distances with her. Is your dog accustomed to the car? If not, look into leaving her at home either with a Pet Nanny or at a Doggy Day Care. You won't have to worry about her, and she will view it as a nice little vacation!

If you just can't leave Spot behind, there are a few extra prepartions and precations to take to ensure you are both comfortable and happy on your jourmey. Planning is key to a safe and enjoyable trip for everyone.

First and foremost, make sure your dog has a current tag and phone number! Many people don't think about their best friend getting lost while on vacation, and what could ruin your trip quicker then having to leave without finding a lost pet? I would suggest getting a "travel tag" with a cell phone number, or the number where you are traveling to on it. You can find a quick tag-maker at many pet stores that will engrave a tag on the spot for under $10.

Many vets advise using a restraint within the car. Not only will this protect your pooch in case of an accident, it will help keep her in place and not bounding around the car to look at every passing tree. There is a wide variety of ways to go about this, from doggy seat belts to crates. These are especially nice with hyper dogs, as it will keep her confined to her seat allowing you to focus on the driving.

Yes, dogs suffer from motion sickness! If your pooch is acting depressed and generally sick, drooling excessively or vomiting, she is probably suffering from motion sickness. Just as with people, dogs can become accustomed to traveling and eventually overcome this problem with training and lots of patience. Make sure to feed your dog at least three hours before you intend to leave, and pack lots of paper towels! Your vet can recommend a sedative or anti-motion sickness medicine to help your dog relax and enjoy the ride.

And make sure you bring lots of fresh water from home. Dogs often won't drink water from a strange place, even if they aren't normally finicky eaters. Allow free access to water if you have room in a crate, or offer drinks every couple hours and at every stop. My dog loves the sport style water bottles that you can squeeze a small stream out of, even when she doesn't want water out of a bowl this is an almost surefire way to get her to drink. It's like a game! Also be sure to pack enough food - a couple extra days worth just in case you decide to extend your trip, or if pooch gets sick and needs to refill her tummy later. Also pack some old rags for cleaning up any messes and plenty of toys and treats to keep her happy and occupied.

Last but not least, plan your trip to incorporate extra potty and exercise stops. Take a nice break and allow your dog the time to sniff around and stretch her legs, but keep her leashed! Many vets recommend stopping somewhere other than a rest stop, as these have been well used by many dogs, and aren't the most sanitary environment. And of course, make sure to pack your "Mutt Mitts" to clean up after your pooch!

Make sure you have your doggy first-aid kit for any mishaps you may encounter, and pack an extra leash. It's a good idea to keep a copy of your pet's health records with you in case you need to make an emergency trip to a vet in a strange town.

And NO heads out the window! Bits of debris, rocks and bugs can cause damage to your dog's eyes, ears and nose.

By Air

Although not recommended, sometimes you must fly with your pooch. Every airline has different pet policies and fees so it is important to always call ahead and make necessary arrangements. Your dog will most likely ride in the cargo hold, and need a Certificate of Health from your vet issued not more than 10 days prior to leaving. Temperature will also effect wether your dog can fly or not. Missoula International Airport will not fly dogs in cargo hold during cold weather months.