So
you’re planning a week-long trip with your pet to sunny Florida this summer, or
perhaps you’ll be driving a few hours away for a weekend camping trip. Wherever
you’re going and however you’ll get there, Veterinary Emergency Group in White
Plains, NY wants your dog or cat to be prepared for the trip.
In
addition to food and water, there are many items that should accompany your pet
when you travel, for their safety. Far too often, there are pet accidents and
injuries that occur that could have been avoided with adequate preparation. We
want to prevent these incidents from happening to your beloved companion, so we have selected what we consider the
top three items you need to travel with
your pet.
1. Emergency Supplies/First Aid Kit
Pets are curious by nature and can find themselves
in potentially dangerous situations when they’re in a new environment. Hiking
in the woods, playing in a dog park—you name it. As a rule of thumb, always
bring a pet first aid kit when you
travel with your pet. In addition to basic first aid supplies (gauze, scissors,
hydrogen peroxide, etc.), your kit should include our phone number (914-949-8779)
for local trips and the number of the nearest emergency pet hospital to your
destination for long distance trips. Remember, Veterinary Emergency Group is
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, should an emergency occur.
2.
Car Safety Harness/Carrier
A
car safety pet harness is especially important for long road trips or trips on
bumpy roads. Most pet safety harnesses
are designed with a seat belt loop so they can be secured by a locked seat
belt. A safety harness can keep your pet safe and seated while preventing any
distractions caused by their roaming around the car. There are many sizes and
styles available to accommodate most pet breeds. For air travel, all airlines
that allow pets require pet carriers. Just be sure to check with your airline
first for their pet policy, including the carrier dimension requirements.
3. Pet Supplies
This may seem like an obvious item, but you’d be
surprised at how many pet owners forget to bring their pet’s leash or collar
during trips. Keep in mind that many places, such as parks and beaches, require
that pets be on a leash at all times. Plus, many pets can be act unpredictably
in a new environment and will likely want to explore, so keeping them on a
leash will help keep them from chasing squirrels and rabbits, following the
scent of another pet, etc. Make sure that your pet has identification as well, whether it’s in the form of an ID
tag, a microchip, or both. Having a recent photo handy is also a great idea.
