Traveling across the country is one of the most rewarding gifts you can afford yourself with. Just imagine if you are given the opportunity to travel across the country with your pet dog. Not only will you be able to create personal memories that you can keep for the rest of your life, you will also be able to make your dogs truly happy.
If you are like the million other dog owners out there that want to make sure your dog is given the happiest and most fruitful life they deserve, then traveling with them could be one of the steps to achieving this goal.
Here are some things that you need to prepare first before bringing your dogs to your next trip.
1. Check The Necessary Papers Your Dog Needs
The first and most important thing that you need to prepare is the papers of your dogs. Even if you are just traveling within the country, there are several establishments out there that require your dog’s papers first before allowing them to get inside.
Dog papers are crucial because this is how certain storeowners could determine whether or not your dogs’ vaccines are up to date and whether or not they are not currently sick.
Of course, bringing your dogs’ papers along with you when you travel also shows how you respect and value other people’s dogs.
2. Get a Clearance from The Vet
If your dog recently suffered from any type of condition, it is important that you get a clearance from the vet first before bringing them along to your trips. A clearance from the vet is different from their papers or records because the latter only lists down the vaccinations, treatments and other medications that your dog previously received.
On the other hand, the clearance serves as your dog’s pass especially if it recently dealt with an illness. The clearance serves as proof that your dog couldn’t harm other pets in the area because of its previous condition.
3. Read The Rules and Regulations About Traveling with Your Pets
Even if you are just traveling within the country, it is a must that you always read the rules and regulations about bringing your dogs to different locations. Some establishments have specific rules when it comes to bringing pets, while others may be a little bit more lax than some.
For instance, some establishments may require that you bring a pet stroller because dogs are not allowed to walk inside their premises. Other establishments may also require that pet owners bring their own waste bag to use for picking up their dog’s waste.
On the other hand, some establishments may be okay with pet owners carrying their dogs instead of bringing a pet stroller because the place itself is not big enough to accommodate one.
At the end of the day, reading about the rules and regulations that apply to bringing your pets during your trips is truly a must.
4. Bring Your Dog’s Food and Medications
Another important thing to remember when traveling with your dogs is to always bring the food and medications they need. Since every type of dog has different requirements when it comes to food and treatment, it is important for pet owners to remember this.
When traveling with your pets across the country, keep in mind that not all stores may sell the specific brand of dog food that your pet has grown to love. So it is a must that you really bring a pack or two to make sure that they have enough food supply throughout the duration of your trip.
Some pet owners may not like this idea because bringing pet food and medications may be a hassle for them. If you will be going on just a short trip, simply measure the usual amount of food your dog consumes so you don’t have to bring too much.
5. Bring Your Dog to The Groomers First
Before going on any trip with your dogs, make sure to bring them to the groomers first. This way, you don’t have to worry about the dogs getting ticks and fleas. When you give your dog a bath and a haircut before traveling with them, this guarantees that even if you are not at home for two weeks or more, their fur wouldn’t grow as long.
Bringing your dogs to the groomers becomes especially important if you know you can’t do the trimming and grooming on your own. Luckily, there are a lot of places out there that cater to these types of services.
If there’s a branch of Petsmart out there that’s near you, make sure to bring your dogs there first to get the haircut and grooming that they need and deserve.
