Vet Street's Tips for Traveling with Dogs

As a veterinarian with 20-plus years of experience roaming the States with pets in tow, you’d think I’d have the traveling thing down. Yet every single time I take my pets anywhere outside my hometown in South Florida, I’m forced to confront some new (and often annoying) aspect of pet travel I’d somehow missed during the 50-plus trips that preceded it.
My last expedition serves as a perfect example:
I flew from Miami to Arizona with my French Bulldog, Vincent, for a speaking engagement.
After spending the night at a fancy pet-friendly resort, we flew to Washington, D.C., where Vincent and I met up with my significant other and our Belgian Malinois pup, Violet. They’d just driven up from Miami to help me enjoy three days of BlogPaws, a social media conference for the pet set. There we spent our nights in a ninth-floor hotel room (near the elevator, thank God) and our days in a conference booth promoting my Fat Dog Diet iPhone app.
After the conference, we shared a leisurely drive back to Miami with Vincent and Violet sleeping peacefully (mostly, anyway) in the back of my SUV.
As a mixed media marathon experience in pet travel, this particular trip was extra-illuminating on the things-I-never-knew-about-pet-travel front. After all, it’s only fair for you to learn about the things no one ever talks about in all those supremely unhelpful pet travel websites.

A Few Tips From the Road Weary

So here it is, fodder for your upcoming summer travels:
1. The first time is always the worst. So always plan a short trip first. I know plenty of people who refuse to travel with their pets after having suffered a stressful time their first time out. But that’s only to be expected. As long as it wasn’t a complete fiasco and your dog has a generally sound temperament, it’s probably a good idea to try again. Just be sure to make it a shorter trip the next time out, and stop somewhere fun, like the dog park.
 
2. Traveling with a puppy is a double-edged sword. As you might expect, puppies can make for some tough traveling experiences. Consider: separation anxiety, housebreaking issues and all that chewing! Despite the drawbacks, traveling with a pup offers plenty to recommend it. After all, how best to socialize a pet to the rigors of travel than to expose her to them early?
(Just be sure to bring along a powerful array of floor cleaners!)

3. Do not be lulled into a sense of complacency with respect to your traveling companion’s adorability. Though it may seem the whole world wants to coo and “awwww” with abandon, there are some humans — believe it or not — who view your pet as little more than an unwelcome nuisance.
Brief anecdote: In Phoenix, I actually let someone bully me into apologizing for the fact that my dog sniffed her. “That is not acceptable. The irresponsibility of pet owners knows no bounds!” she intoned loudly enough for a lobby full of hotel guests to hear. (So you know, certain attitudes are not conducive to apologies, but who was I to argue?)
 
4. “Under the seat in front of you” is a very small space, indeed. Not every pet is comfortable in confined areas — much less in really confined areas. And depending on your airline and the airplane model in question, that area might be a whole lot smaller than you currently envision it. For the sake of her comfort and welfare, make sure your dog is easygoing with respect to prolonged confinement.
This information is especially crucial to those among you who might’ve considered “fudging” your dog’s weight for the purposes of in-cabin air travel. Unless your pet is really close to the upper limit and very comfortable in tight spots, you should think this through before flouting the law.
 
5. Sedation is not a solution designed for your convenience. In other words, if your pet doesn’t have the temperament for travel, don’t force the issue.
 
6. Bring at least a dozen more chew treats or playthings than you think you need — per day. As with children, keeping pets busy during travel is the key to success. Know what toys or chewies entertain them best and don’t upset their digestion. And reduce their food intake accordingly so they don’t consume a glut of excess calories.
 
7. Motion sickness happens even to the most cast-iron-stomached. Even if your pet never gets car sick, motion sickness can nonetheless occur unexpectedly in any kind of vehicle (boats, trains, planes, cars, etc.) — especially during very long rides. That’s why I always truck along some anti-nausea pills to make it go away.

8. Don’t forget your “first aid kit”! Unless you’re traveling overseas or headed off-road, the best kind of first aid kit is made up of one single item: a smartphone loaded with an app that offers info on the emergency hospital closest to wherever you might be. (Nowadays, lots of apps can do this for you.)

9. Travel is the perfect time to truck out some of those newfangled high-tech safety tools. I’m a huge fan of water safety monitors (they ring at a base station should dogs land in the water) in case dogs encounter bodies of water they’re not accustomed to during their travels. I’m also big on using pet GPS devices to keep track of pets when they’re in unfamiliar locales.
We strap on those cute Safety Turtle water monitors every time we rent a little house in the Keys and click on the Tagg Pet Tracker GPS device as an added safety measure. The GPS thing is especially anxiety-relieving whenever we’re in places where hiking happens (visiting my sister’s place in Tahoe or the cabin in Georgia).

Thanks for this article from Vet Street

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Top 5 Dog Beaches in the USA

Grab your sunscreen, pack a towel, and get ready for summer! Going to the beach can be awesome for a day of relaxing in the sun, playing in the water, and heading home a little sandy and tan. Your favorite friend may also enjoy playing and romping around in the sand and surf. If so, make sure the beach is dog-friendly and observe the rules ane regulations that apply.

Here’s our pick of the 5 best beaches to visit

1. Dog Beach – Key West, Florida – There are a few beaches in Key West, this one is for the dogs… after running around and playing, head over to one of the many dog-friendly cafes to get a drink and sit in the shade. The beach is great for off-leash fun but it is a little rocky. This is a public beach and free. It’s not huge but it’s definitely perfect for a pack of dogs to make friends, run in the sand, and splash in the water.
2. Montrose Dog Beach – Chicago, Illinois – This is the first legal off-leash dog beach in Chicago and is located off Montrose Beach. The beach is free but all dogs must have a DFA tag which is $5. Also, there are rules for dogs such as no food, no prong or pinch collars, and you must clean up after your dog.
3. Cannon Beach – Cannon Beach, Oregon – Cannon Beach is recognized by its landmark, Haystack Rock, located to the southwest of downtown Cannon Beach, near Tolovana Park. Dogs are allowed on the beach either one leash or under voice control, meaning, your dog is well-trained and will come when called even with all the awesomeness and fun surrounding you both. Bring bags to clean up after your pet and get ready for a fun day of playing. It does get chilly on the coast so keep an eye on your dog and make sure s/he’s not too cold after playing in the water.
4. Huntington Beach – Huntington Beach, California – this beach is about 3 miles long and far enough away from the roads that you can let your dog roam without worry. It’s got some rocky parts but mostly it’s a great space for your pup to run and splash. If your dog is not great with recall, this is a great spot to work on that with a long lead. It’s spacious enough that you won’t be crowded in. Parking can be a pain so get there early!
5. Del Mar Dog Beach – San Diego, California – This beach has been dog friendly since 1959 and 9 months of the year dogs are allowed to run, stomp, and play on the sand. The beach is about 2 miles long and near two parks. The most popular spot is North Beach area for dogs and their humans. Don’t forget to bring bags to clean up after your pup and a frisbee! 

Thanks Petswelcome!

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iPhone Apps for Pet Owners

Pets are more than just…pets. They are members of the family and share our joys and sorrows. They often end up in pictures with the kids and create memories that can’t be forgotten. Keeping track of their medical history and needs is important, especially when on trips or moving to a new place and looking for a new vet.

Now that many of us have smartphones, there are apps for Android and iPhones that can help us organize our lives, keep us in shape, control our DVR, and deposit our paychecks. There are also apps that help us take better care of our pets and be more mindful of their day to day needs. After some hunting around, I’ve compiled a small list of the top 4 apps for iphone users who have pets.

Top 4 iPhone Apps for Pet Owners

1. Dog Whistle – a free app, that turns your iPhone into a dog training device. This straightforward app provides a digital dog whistle and the user selects the appropriate frequency from a number of options. The user then simply presses the “Play” button and the training can commence.
2. Pet First Aid – it’s never fun to think about your pet’s health and have the “what if” thoughts run through your mind. But it’s always good to be prepared. This app helps owners get comprehensive info in the form of detailed tutorials and video illustrations that guide regarding how to administer first aid to a pet and covers everything from common injuries to giving meds to even performing CPR.
3. Petsbook – is exactly what it claims to be; a notebook all about your pet. Keep track of the health information for your pet or pets, microchip numbers, and any other information. This app also allows the user to keep track of veterinary appointments and records, and there is also the option to create photo galleries for you to keep pics of your beloved pet on there. 

Thanks Petwelcome!

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Dog drinking salt water at the beach?

When it comes to beach-play, make sure you are a pet-savvy owner and understand the following: the unusual sources of salt poisoning (aside from ocean water), the dangers of salt poisoning, the clinical signs, and how to prevent it.
When excessive sodium is ingested, clinical signs of salt poisoning include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Inappetance
• Lethargy
• Walking drunk
• Abnormal fluid accumulation within the body
• Excessive thirst or urination
• Potential injury to the kidneys
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Coma
• Death

Aside from ocean water, other sources of salt poisoning include:

• Table salt (which is why we no longer recommend using salt to induce vomiting in dogs and cats!)
• Ice melters
• Paintballs
• Homemade play dough
• Enemas

So, how do you prevent salt poisoning?
When out on the beach, provide your dog with fresh water in a bowl (use the Frisbee as a bowl). Remember to keep in mind that when dogs exercise and play on the beach, they pant excessively and lose water. If left with no water source, dogs will drink ocean water rather than fresh water.      Unfortunately, dogs aren’t smart enough to know that this is dangerous. With the high sodium concentration in salt water, it can result in hypernatremia (elevated salt levels in the body), which can result in an increased osmolality of the blood. Later, when your dog has access to fresh water, he may drink excessively to counter this, resulting in potential brain swelling due to rapid shifts in fluid.
             Treatment for salt poisoning includes careful administration of IV fluids, electrolyte monitoring, treatment for dehydration and brain swelling, and supportive care.
            When any poisoning occurs, the sooner you seek treatment, the better the prognosis. With salt poisoning, immediate veterinary attention is important. You can also call Pet Poison Helpline for assistance at  855-213-6680 .
Better yet, avoid the situation to begin with – fresh water at all times when exercising your dog vigorously!

Thanks PetMD!

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Dog Transport Tips

Most dogs cope very well with air travel, and owners are often amazed to see how happy their dog is on arrival at their new home. To help your dog have a good trip, follow these travel tips:

Before the Trip
Pets can be sensitive to change. Try to stick to your usual routine and keep your dog’s life as normal as possible. Maintain the usual schedule of meals and exercise. If possible, let your dog become accustomed to its crate. Putting a special tidbit inside can be a good way of helping a pet associate the crate with good things. Make a very comfortable, tempting bed inside the crate, too. Don’t close the dog into the crate just yet. Instead, leave the crate door open to allow your dog to explore the crate and sniff it inside and out – and perhaps discover that this can be a comfortable place to take a nap.

At Pick-Up Time
The way you act at pick-up time is crucial to how your dog feels. Be as upbeat as you can and convey a sense of confidence. A lengthy, emotional departure will cause your pet unnecessary anxiety.

      • Food: Try to keep to your usual schedule of meals and exercise, but
         avoid giving a large meal shortly before departure. A light meal
         approximately four hours before flight time is good, and an exercise
         session will promote a bowel movement and help your dog relax during
         transit. Please prepare two portions of your dog’s food in two separate
         plastic bags. We will attach these portions to the outside of the crate
         at pick-up time, and they will be available in the event that your dog’s
         trip is delayed.

     • Bedding: If you wish to provide bedding for your pet’s comfort and
         security, please do. We recommend a small blanket or towel. Please
         don’t use a large bed that could become hot and uncomfortable, and
         don’t include large bones or other heavy items that could be dangerous
         in the event of turbulence. A small blanket that smells of home is fine,
         but avoid blankets with holes or a loose weave since these can become
         caught in the dog’s paws and cause distress.

At Your New Home
You can help your pet adapt by resuming your normal routine as soon as possible. Offer drinking water and a light meal as soon as you reach your new home, but don’t be surprised if your dog doesn’t want to eat right away. Resume your normal schedule of feeding and exercising as soon as you can.

-- From Pet Express

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About Pet Express Travel

Pet travel has been Pet Express's specialty since 1978. Their experienced pet travel specialists make arrangements for pets to travel all over the world.

The pets that move with us are very special, and so are our services:

   • The drivers are professional pet handlers who handle dogs and cats gently and with a soothing voice.

   • Their fleet of vehicles is unique. They have equipped them with a ventilation and climate control system and with crate securing devices to help ensure your pet’s safety and comfort.

   • They are registered professional pet handlers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. All of their  procedures meet or exceed USDA Animal Welfare  Act specifications.

   • Pet Express is a charter member of the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA). Janice Cipparrone, their senior international specialist, served as IPATA president from 1978 to 2001 and has held various Board positions since.


For more information about pet travel, please visit Pet Friendly North America!