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Summer-Time · Winter-Time · Why NOT to travel with your pets · General Health & Safety

Summer-Time

Heat Stroke: Signs of Heat Stroke to watch for are rapid panting, hot skin, twitching muscles, a dazed look. If you notice any of these signs wrap your pet in a towel soaked in cool water (not cold or iced). In severe cases place them in the bathtub. Heat stroke can be fatal. Be sure to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible after you've taken these emergency steps.
Never Leave Your Pet In a Parked Car: Not even if you crack the windows or park in the shade. The temperature can rise to over 150° in minutes even on a comfortable day. Leaving pets in the car is the #1 cause of heat stroke.
Vaccinations: Keep vaccinations up-to-date. Summer time is when most pets come in contact with other animals, at parks, camp grounds, etc.
Hydration: Always provide plenty of fresh water. Dogs can only sweat through the pads of their feet and by panting. Evaporation from the wet surfaces of their mouth and nose helps lower body temperature in the summer.
Hot Pavement and Beaches: Sensitive paws burn easily. You may not know that your pet has sore paws until he stops playing.
Avoid Sunburn: Sunburn can effect short-haired pets and those with pink skin and white hair. Find cool shady spots for your pets.
Swimming: Not all dogs swim well. When introducing a pet to water for the first time, ease them into it, never throw them in. Don't let them drink from the ocean, streams or even from pools. Ocean water can cause skin irritation if pets are not rinsed with fresh water afterwards.
Shaving a heavy coat: While shaving a heavy-coated dog's hair to a one-inch length helps prevent over heating, don't shave the hair down to the skin or you will rob your pet of protection from sunburn.

Winter-Time

Cars: Cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars for the warmth. When the car is started, the cat can be injured or killed. Bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
Snow: Although we don't worry about snow in Silicon Valley, if you travel to the snow with your pets you should be careful. Dogs can lose their scent and become lost.
Chemicals: Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when they have been out in wet or snowy conditions. They can ingest salt, anti freeze or other chemicals while licking their paws. Thoroughly clean up any anti freeze spills from your vehicles, anti freeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats.
Protect Your Pets From the Cold: Is your pet a short-haired breed or sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type? Consider getting them a coat or sweater or keep them indoors. Be aware that puppies do not tolerate cold as well as adults dogs.
Coat Length: Never shave your dog to the skin in winter, their coat is needed for warmth.
Bathing: When you bathe your dog, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk.
Sleeping: Make sure your pets have warm places to sleep, off the floor and away from drafts.

Why NOT to travel with your pets

If you choose to travel with your pets make a conscious effort to keep their best interests in mind. Follow all DOs and DON'Ts and your pets can be excellent traveling companions. If you leave your pets at home with a professional pet sitter you can travel free from the worries and stress of caring for them on the road.

Emergencies & Veterinarians: Knowing pet first aid is important to your pet surviving a medical emergency. If your pet requires emergency hospitalization, do you have local referrals for the area you are visiting?
Leashes & Laws: All states have leash laws that are ticketable offenses. Know the local laws, keep you pets leashed and obey the laws or keep them safe at home.
Dangers, Diseases, & Illness: This ranges from allergies to ticks, mosquitoes, poison ivy, skunks, snake bite, poisoning and giardia.
Food & Water: Drinking local water and changes in diet while traveling can cause stomach upset and diarrhea.
Behavior: Well trained and socialized pets tend to stay with the owners. But even the best trained pet can get stressed during long trips to unfamiliar places.
Identification: Trying to find a lost pet in a strange city may be impossible. Pets lost away from home are at greater risk because the strange sights, sounds, and smells disorient your pet. They are at greater risk of being lost, killed, injured or picked up by strangers.
Car Trips: Danger does exist if your pet travels with you in your vehicle. Keep in mind the dangers of heat stroke, unrestrained pets can become projectiles in an accident. Pets who hang their heads out the window are in danger of insects or debris flying into the eyes and ears.
Airline Travel: Check in advance for airline requirements and conditions. Can you get a straight point-to-point flight or will there be a lay over? Cargo holes are not heated, cooled or sound proofed. These extreme conditions can cause stress, injury or possibly the death of a pet. Beware of medicating pets prior to boarding, check with your vet.
Accommodations: Read the fine print. Some hotels only allow small pets, ones that weight less than 20 lbs. If you have a medium or large sized animal they may not qualify. Pets cannot be left alone in hotel rooms and there is usually an extra charge for their stay with you.
Have a Professional caring for your pet!: Hire a professional pet sitter for peace of mind while you are traveling. A professional will give your pets consistent, personnel care and attention on a daily basis. They can handle emergencies through your local vet. And, they not only take care of your pets but keep your home safe and secure!

General Health & Safety

Parasites: Take care of external and internal parasites before there is a health problem. Keep your pet on a flea and tick preventative program. Fleas, ticks and ear mites thrive in warm, humid environments. Be sure your dog has been heartworm tested and is on a preventative program.
Streets: Don't let your pet roam, your pet is no match for a car. Make sure your pet is licensed and wearing an ID collar at all times, just in case.
Yards: Be cautious of pesticides and herbicides used on the lawn and plants. Some pets are highly allergic to these chemicals. Keep them away from freshly treated areas.

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