It’s time to air out those sleeping bags, clean out last year’s coolers and pack up your vehicle. Summer’s here and camping season is upon us. What should we do with the dogs?

Here are a couple of simple ideas and safeguards you are able to make sure that this year’s woodsy adventures are worry and injury free. Before we even arrive at our destination, here are a couple of things we ought to consider: Make sure to have your dog’s ID tags are secure and up-to-date. Get a vaccination for flea and tick shots is needed. It’s wise to setup your tent outside a few days ahead, this will let you practice camping together with your pet so he feels safe inside the tent. Make certain pets are permitted in the campground and inquire into the nearest vet.

Despite the fact that you are living in the backwoods you’ll still wish to have some conveniences of home as does your pet. It is important they have a few of their favorite things, be it a blanket, a toy or at home bed.

Don’t forget about your camping neighbors and supply a secure tether for the dog along with a muzzle if required. Dogs possess a inclination to wrap themselves around any tree, table, vehicle or bit of fire wood, you might consider a doggy playpen, which is also good to keep them in the shade.

Just like us, dogs should have their bed elevated and should not sleep directly on the ground all night. They also need to be protected from the sun and heat. Just as you wouldn’t leave your dog in the car for hours on a hot day, don’t leave him locked in a tent, the outcomes are the same. A little pup tent or a child’s blow up pool are good ways to help keep both pets and kids cool.

Also, make sure you’ve a secure spot for your pet in case of scary noises that may possibly scare them such as thunder or fireworks. Certainly use their crate if they already have one or I’ve found that the car works as a safe place.

Ready to chill out?! Not so fast – You need to watch them as you would a little child. Listed here are a couple of hazards to be watchful for:

FOOD – We tend to be much more laid back and consume a lot more junk foods camping than would at home. Don’t leave meals or snacks lying. Canines have sensitive digestive tracks and get sick easier from fatty foods that are foreign to them than we do.

GARBAGE – It goes without saying, keep it away from them. I have known dogs that have eaten whole cobs of corn, which got stuck in their digestive track and had to become surgically removed. We had a Beagle/Chihuahua mix that ate anything. Once we poured bacon grease in the bushes which was wrong on our part, and of course he licked up the grease and we ended up finding all sorts of stones and twigs in his belly. That was an expensive vet bill and put an end to any fun on that trip.

FIRE – Don’t burn food in the fire. Frequently it doesn’t burn entirely and becomes a dog attraction, but there might be glowing embers within the fire and burn their noses, mouth or feet.

TERRAIN – Get rid of as much sharp and dangerous and sticks, stones and glass. If it hurts your feet it’s going to hurt your dog’s. Dog shoes are the perfect idea if you’re going through rough terrain.

OK, you are ready up at camp and now you have to take on nature. What dangers might lurk within the forest you ask?

INSECTS & TICKS – Short coated animals are just as prone to mosquito bites as we are and should really have their own insect repellent. Ticks are a threat to your dog’s health. A tick vaccine or collar will aid but you will need to do manual checks and if you find one, pick it off with sharp tweezers.

POISON IVY – Although dogs are not much affected by poison ivy, the oil that the plant secretes gets and stays on your dog’s fur and transfers to everything he touches or touches him (like you!) Wash him off repeatedly with mild soap or shampoo wearing rubber gloves.

WILDLIFE – The reality is, avoid them and get your dog in check. If he’s attacked by a skunk, run to the lake for repeated scrubs with mild cleaning soap or skunk. Porcupine quills would be best left to a vet to get rid of.

WATER ACCIDENTS – If you are out on any type of boat or floatation device, and away from your shore you should really put a PFD (life jacket) on your pet, especially if your pet is out of shape or not used to swimming.

Your best bet, while camping is to always have a first help kit available for yourself and your pet. There are special kits made especially for pets. At least have the basics; rubbing alcohol, tweezers, scissors and bandages. Those stretchy roll up bandages are great for wrapping over fur.

In summary, don’t let this advise scare you away from camping with your pet. If anything, it should help make your outdoor experience even better. I have had so much fun over the years camping with my family and would never dream of leaving Henri and Bear behind, they are part of the family too!

Henri Hound has been an enthusiastic pet lover his entire life. He has hands-on insight of just about every form of pet and their behaviors. If you’re looking for light, yet informative pet advice, please read other articles of his, such as What’s Up With Dogs and Thunder or his blogHenri’s Pet Tips & Tricks

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Up until just recently, pets have only been welcome on airplanes if they’re flying with the luggage stored beneath the plane. One of the main concerns we have with this old practice is that most luggage compartments aren’t properly shielded to keep out the extreme hot and cold temperatures that occur during flight. This then goes from bad to worse if they’re forced to remain locked in their cage for hours on end when your flight gets delayed. While you’re up in the terminal trying to finish that book you brought they’re suffering in a dark compartment with practically no room to move around. If a traveling pet becomes ill during flight there is no way of monitoring, let alone being able to assist the animal until the flight has landed in their scheduled destination. As you can imagine this has resulted in countless tragic pet deaths over the years. Due to the growing concern for animals traveling with their owners in the air, most airline companies now enforce stricter training for their baggage handlers, even requiring them to report any adverse incidents to the Department of Transportation. In addition to that most will refuse passage to animals during extreme weather and during the hottest months of summer.

If your pet is a small animal than you’ve got it pretty easy as far as travel preparation is concerned. The large majority of airlines these days will allow you to bring your small dog or cat with you onto the plane as long as both the animal and pet carrier weigh no more than 40 pounds and can fit underneath the seat in front of you (please don’t even think of trying to put them in an overhead bin!). Due to allergies and passenger discomfort though there usually is a limit to the number of pets allowed on any given flight to if you’re planning on taking your pet with you just make sure to notify them of your travel buddy as soon as possible.

Every airline tends to have different policies towards people traveling with their pets which include both pets traveling in pet carriers as well as larger dogs who have to travel in kennels beneath the plane. To be on the safe side, always contact your airline ahead of time to learn what their policies and conditions are so that you won’t run the risk of endangering your pet. Airline personnel can also help you find the best flight time available to keep any changes in temperature to a minimal. For instance flights in the early morning or late evening are the best during the summer seasons.

Wether your pet is traveling with you in a pet carrier or below in a dog kennel there are a few precautions you should follow so that the experience is a pleasant one for both you and your four-legged friend. Make sure that you have your pet examined by a veterinarian no more than 10 days prior to your departure day. While they are there make sure your pet is all caught up with their shots, especially any rabies vaccinations as you’ll be required by law to show proof of vaccination when you first arrive at the airport (so make sure you still have all the necessary papers, if not then have your vet provide you with temporary copies to use for the trip). It’s also important to know that federal law prohibits airlines from allowing any animal thats younger than eight weeks old to travel on a commercial flight. Lastly, don’t show up late to pick up your pet once they’ve arrived. It’s not the airlines responsibility to take care of your pet once the plane has landed not to mention the animal is most likely in need of a bathroom break so be on time!

A sturdy pet carrier or kennel, available from most airline or pet shops, is another important precaution to ensure a safe flight. The carrier should have all hard sides-with the exception of soft-carriers for pets small enough to travel in the cabin, those are specifically designed for airline travel and will help keep your pet calm and content during the trip. These pet carriers or dog kennels should be ventilated on at least two opposite sides (to allow for a steady flow of air), with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked airflow, and its also very important that the carrier or kennel is large enough for the pet to stand up, turn around and lie down in. This more so applies to dogs traveling in the luggage compartment but it also will keep your small cabin-traveling dog comfortable as well. Both the kennels and dog carriers should have water resistant bottoms with plenty of soft material at the base, this will help contain any potential accidents due to your pet getting startled during flight. Your kennel should also be marked with a large, highly visible label reading “Live Animal,” at least one inch tall, including arrows indicating the carrier’s upright position. Finally, both the pet and the carrier should be well marked with the owner’s name, address, and phone number, and the pet’s updated health certificate and the feeding plan from the veterinarian should be posted on the carrier.

At the end of the day you need to remember that not all pets can handle the experience of traveling on a plane at high-altitude. Anything from sudden changes in cabin pressure to being in a confined space can result in your pet having a negative reaction to the whole experience. If your pet is the type that is sensitive to loud noises or other environmental changes then you might want to talk it over with your vet before committing to any travel plans.

Still have pet questions? Head on over to OnlinePetAnswers.com and submit them to be answered for free by our online veterinarians.

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