Tips for Taking your Dog on Holiday this Summer
It’s been a long year, but Christmas is just around the corner and the annual summer holiday awaits. For some, that means being crammed into an aeroplane seat for up to 24 hours and jetting off on a long-haul adventure. But for the majority of Aussies, it means packing up the car and revelling in some local attractions with the whole family – including the dog.
Dog owners are far more likely than cat owners to take their pet on holiday, but according to a recent survey conducted for Bayer Animal Health, most didn’t know that a change in parasite protection is often required when visiting a new area. Without it, you run the risk of your dog bringing back some unwanted guests or even becoming seriously ill.
Bayer Animal Health Senior Veterinarian Bob Rees says taking your dog on holiday is not as simple as just packing some dog food and a portable kennel. ‘People just don’t realise that several ticks such as the brown dog, bush and paralysis tick may be present in extremely high numbers on the Eastern seaboard of the country, and your dog could be in real danger if you don’t prepare before heading off,’ Dr Bob says.
Dogs travelling from town to town and exploring new areas are at a higher risk of picking up parasites including ticks, fleas, lice and sandflies. To help you be prepared for any eventuality, follow this simple checklist:
Dr Bob’s top travel and tick tips
Make sure your dog has been microchipped and is in good health (and has had all his vaccinations) before setting off on holiday. Ensure he is protected with a complete anti-parasite treatment like Advantix (available from your vet). For more information, click here.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE…
- Wash your dog and treat him with a spot-on treatment like Advantix to repel and kill ticks, fleas, flies and other parasites;
- Ensure he has been to the toilet;
- Ensure he is hydrated but has only eaten a light meal three hours before travelling;
- Pack food and water containers for your dog;
- Check your mobile phone number is on your dog’s collar in case he wanders off while away (this is also why microchipping is so important);
- Use an approved doggy seatbelt to ensure your dog is securely but comfortably restrained;
- Sprinkle a few drops of lavender oil around the area where your dog will sit to relax him during the journey;
- Remember that domestic animals are banned from national parks, nature reserves, Aboriginal areas and state recreation areas, so double-check that dogs are allowed at your destination (some forests allow dogs for day visits and overnight camping).
You should always check your dog daily for ticks, as a bite from the paralysis tick can be fatal. If you find a tick, use a tick remover or tweezers to grasp the tick at the base then gently rock back and forth to remove. Keep the tick in case identification is needed.
Spot-on protection is strongly recommended at all times to greatly reduce the chance of your dog picking nasty parasites, and it will only become more important as climate change takes hold. The World Health Organisation suggests global warming could trigger the growth and spread of parasites and the diseases they transmit.
So at all times, and particularly when enjoying a fun summer holiday, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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7 Responses to “Tips for Taking your Dog on Holiday this Summer”
karen Green says:
take twice as much water for your dag as you do for yourself, dark coloured dogs are likely to feel the heat more and all dog can burn their feet on hot roads and hot sand, so protect those delicate pads
Valerie says:
Hi, I have a min. L.H. Dachshund who does not like traveling in the car and quite often will vomit, as we would love to take him with us in March when we visit friends in Queensland, would someone please tell me what I can do to make the trip pleasurable for him and to relax him in the car.
Sandra says:
For Valerie,
We travel with our German Shepherd who can get car sick. We’ve worked out the following to make him comfortable, the trip fun for him and us, and to avoid his car sickness on our trips to QLD:
- feed him the night before by at 8pm;
- no food and a little bit of water the morning we depart;
- plenty of water in bottles and a water bowl;
- plenty of room in the backseat so he has room to move around get comfy; suitcases in the boot;
- restrained safely but comfortable;
- his blanket and his lead in the back; always pop the lead on and have it secured in your hand before the door is opened and safety harness detached;
- aircon or window down a bit for air and temperature control; but don’t put the window too far in case he thinks its an invitation to leap out!
- stop every two hours for some fresh air, a quick walk and play with his favourite toy, toilet stop and a little bit of water but no food or treats as it could upset his stomach; this is good for humans too!
- playing with him on the way or letting him sleep as needed; keep a watchful eye on his behaviour – lots of moving around could signal the need to have a break;
- good food, water, a brush and big belly scatch as a treat when we arrive!
Hope this helps and safe, happy travels. I’ll also try the lavender oil!!
Rosalinda says:
He probably needs little trips to fun places on a regular basis to allay his fear (& help him retrain his tummy). Lots of affection/support (but not on your lap if you’re driving) while in the car. Don’t feed him just before leaving but do give him some rescue remedy (Bach Flower remedy from chemists & health food shops)… < 1/2 a dropperful will do. He will need a favourite blanket & toy to be with him in the car (& you might want to spread some preferrably-elderly newspaper about underneath just in case). (Older newspaper doesn’t give off nauseating fumes for his delicate sense of smell).
Don’t use deodorising stuff in the car if he’s going to be travelling & don’t give him any dairy-based treats in the 12hrs before even a short jaunt.
Do keep talking to him as you go; notice whether he’s uncomfortable with fast cornering, sudden stops, rapid accelleration etc & adjust your driving accordingly. This isn’t permanent; just another way to help him feel safer. If there’s some way (later on when he’s past the terrified stage) you can allow him access to outside air (a vent closeby perhaps?) so he can sniff it if he wants to; he will find it entertaining (it seems to be the doggy equivalent of reading the local newspapers) sometimes. But he needs to be able to get away from it & have a snooze when he wants to.
On a long trip he’ll probably need to stretch his legs every couple of hours. It would be neat if you could get him to pee on command… The way to do this (if you have the patience) is to go with him when he goes outside & say the word of you choice (pee, piddle, tinkle; whatever) while he’s doing it in a light happy voice then make a huge fuss of him (a treat would be appropriate too) saying (use your chosen word) “What a good boy; you had a pee!”. If this is repeated often enuff he’ll reckon he’s found a really easy way of pleasing you; just pee whenever you ask! (Be sure to use a word you aren’t likely to use in regular conversation or accidents will happen).
This probably all sounds like a lot of work & perhaps it is. But the reward will be worth it; a dog you can take anywhere; no problem. My dog passionately adores going for a drive; any excuse will do. She now recognises when I’m telling her there’s something worth seeing out the window & tells me when she wants to ‘go’ so I can drive for many hours uninterrupted (other than a side conversation) if I want to. A fabulous travelling companion!
Valerie says:
I have just been reading about travelling with dogs in cars. I have a Shih Tzu cross who shakes and pants the whole drive time. I have tried the Bach flowers which did not seem to help him, I shall definately try the lavender. Any advice for storm fear, besides shaking and panting he scratches desperately at the door to escape. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Dachie Mum says:
Hi, I am very grateful to both Rozalinda and Sandra for their words of wisdom to help my dachie Marty enjoy his car trips. We have been taking him on relatively short trips whenever applicable and he seems to be settling. I have taken one of his beds and he seems to relax on it. So here’s hoping that he will enjoy the trip to Queensland (from NSW). We will be stopping along the way both for toilet stops for him and us and food etc stops. As well we will be visiting friends along the way. Does anyone know of motels along the way to the Queensland border that we can take Marty. He is a very laid back doggie and no trouble and of course, house trained.
jaysblueaus says:
I have a cute and adorable maltese shitzu male cross 3 year old. I suggest if a person is going on holidays and especially in tick infested areas, that it would be a good idea to buy some electronic clippers or to take your dog into get clipped, makes it less favorable for ticks, and makes it easier to check for ticks, but still use a product for extra protection.