Top 5 Travel Tips for Pet Owners

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans love road trips, and many wouldn't dare leave home without their pets. In fact, according to a recent survey, 56% of Americans drive with their dog at least once a month(1). To make your car trip as safe, enjoyable and trouble-free as possible, PetFoodDirect.com has put together a list of the top five travel tips for pet owners.

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1. The best prevention against accidental injuries is a pet carrier.

One of the most common pet injuries is due to accidents inside cars. No matter what size your pet is (whether it's a dog, cat, or hamster), it will be better off in a travel crate. Some dog crates and cat crates are specifically designed with seat belt guides fitted into the carrier, but any crate can be made to stay in place using ropes or bungee cords. This will not only lower the risk that the crate goes flying, it will also lessen the chances your pet will suffer from motion sickness. 

2. Keep your pet out of the front seat.

Yes, we know you love your little Fluffy, but the front seat is no place for an animal. That means no holding your pet on your lap while you drive, and no pets on the passenger side seat. Even if your dog is big enough for the passenger side seatbelt to fit over him, he would still be at risk even in the smallest of accidents if the airbag should deploy, or if he slid over or under the belt. Seat belts and airbags are designed for the adult sized human body, after all, and dogs are not physically equipped for either of them. The results could be fatal. Yes, there are seat belts designed for dogs, but our money is still on the crate. 

3. Attach a detailed travel tag with all of your contact information to your pet's collar.

Heaven forbid, but if you should lose your pet during a road trip, the best chance of having it returned to you may be that tag. Be prepared. In fact, if you are reading this in advance of a trip, you might consider having your pet micro-chipped or tattooed, to make identification foolproof. However, keep the contact information linked to the microchip account updated. Otherwise, it's just a really expensive accessory that does nothing for your pet's fashion sense.

4. Bring sufficient pet food and water for the entire trip.

Road trips are not the time to try new foods -- at least as far as your pet is concerned. Remember, your pet is not accustomed to holding it in until the next rest stop, so a bad case of digestive upset can very quickly turn into the ugliest ride of your life. Make sure that you take enough dog food or cat food to last until you get home again, and stick to the dog treats and cat treats your pet is already used to having. You might even want to think about filling a jug of water from home to minimize any chance of digestive problems. Collapsible pet bowls are perfect for trips like this, as you can stash them in your pocket and fill them for rest stop breaks.

5. Make a "prepared for anything" travel kit.

Your emergency kit should include everything you may need, including pet first aid items:

• Roll of gauze
• Bandages that are specially made to stay on animals
• Pain reliever that has been pre-approved by your veterinarian for your pet's weight and age
• Hydrogen peroxide -- both for cleaning wounds and for inducing vomiting
• Antibiotic ointment
• Anti-nausea medicine (again, pre-approved by your veterinarian)
• A current photo of your pet
• Plastic bags for picking up after your pet
• Manual can opener
• Proof of rabies shots (remember, be prepared for anything)
• Extra toys
• Baby wipes -- good for cleaning your pet, and yourself
• Cleaning wipes and paper towels, for cleaning the car
• Extra collar and leash
• A blanket or beach towel large enough to wrap around your pet if it needs to be constrained

This isn't the end all list for traveling by road with your pet. Let your instincts, and your pet, be your guide. But above all else, be safe, and have fun on your adventure!

About PetFoodDirect.com

PetFoodDirect.com is the nation's largest online retailer of pet food, pet meds and pet supplies. With over 148 brands of pet food and more than 16,000 top-quality pet products in stock, PetFoodDirect.com offers pet parents the largest selection of supplies with the convenience of home delivery. PetFoodDirect.com is a subsidiary of the Pet360 family of brands, which also includes NationalPetPharmacy.com -- a fully licensed, full-service pet pharmacy delivering pet meds, vitamins and comprehensive pet health and wellness products, and petMD.com -- the world's leading online resource focused solely on the health and well-being of pets.

(1) http://aaanewsroom.net/Main/Default.asp?CategoryID=7&ArticleID=865

Contact:
Kelly Lange
610-234-4114
[email protected]

SOURCE PetFoodDirect.com