Driving Miss Daisy (When Daisy Is Your Pet)

Traveling by car with your dog (or cat) this summer? If so, don’t forget to review these pet-safe travel tips, compiled by the American Veterinary Medical Association. (However, if your pets are staying behind, make sure to reserve a pet sitter or kennel well in advance.)

• If your dog is new to car travel, take her for short rides before your trip so she’ll understand that car outings do not always mean trips to the vet.

• Consider whether or not your pet is comfortable in the vehicle before committing to a long road trip. Car-sick travelers make the trip miserable for everyone.

• If you’ll be staying with friends or family along the way, be sure to ask in advance if your pet is welcome. The same applies to choosing hotels, motels, parks and campgrounds.

• Even though a hotel may say it’s “pet friendly,” clarify what that means to be sure the facility can accommodate you and your pet’s needs. If your pet must be left alone in a hotel room, place a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door and inform the maid and front desk.

• Bring a portable kennel for use in hotel rooms or the homes of friends or relatives. The kennel will keep your pet out of trouble when no one is around.

• Be sure your pet is wearing an ID tag and, ideally, is microchipped. Both should contain your name, address and cell phone number.

• Carry proof of rabies vaccination and a current health certificate when traveling across state lines or international borders.

• Bring along a printed and/or a digital photograph of your pet to assist with identification in case it gets lost.

• Cats should always be kept in a cat carrier to help them to feel secure and to prevent them from crawling under the driver’s feet.

• Regardless of the length of the trip, pets should never be left unattended in a car.

• Dogs should not ride in the passenger seat if it is equipped with an airbag, nor should they be allowed to sit on the driver’s lap. Harnesses, tethers and other accessories to secure pets during car travel can be found at most pet stores.

• Don’t let your dog ride with his head outside the car window: dirt or debris can fly into his eyes, ears or nose and cause injury or infection.

• On long trips, stop about every two hours for an exercise and water break. Maintain a regular feeding routine. Feed small portions during the day, reserving the main meal for the end of the day or when you reach your destination. Dispose of unused canned food unless it can be refrigerated. Take along a container of cold water in case water is not readily available.

• Pack a basic pet First-Aid kit, including bandages, antiseptic cream, pet-friendly anti-diarrheal medication and gauze squares. Don’t forget to bring the phone number of your vet, the poison control hotline, and a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital near your destination.

For more information about traveling with pets, visit the AVMA site.

This blog was posted courtesy of CARE for the Evanston Animal Shelter. You can get more dog and cat-care tips by 'Liking' CARE on Facebook, or by following CARE on Twitter--@CAREevanston.