Tips on getting your dog or cat travel ready.

Summer is here! Long-awaited vacations and family outings are the stuff of great memories. Whether you travel with your pets or leave them behind, good pet parenting means special consideration of your four-legged friends needs. Here are a few reminders and new ideas sure to help you and your pet have a great summer.

Summer heat - treat with respect

Prevention of heat problems is the name of the game! Signs of heat stress in your pet include panting, rapid pulse, anxiousness, staggering and collapse. If your pet exhibits these symptoms, immerse him in a bath of cool water to reduce his body temperature and contact your veterinarian immediately for additional instructions.

Dogs and cats have sweat glands only on the pads of their paws and must pant to cool down. The elevated temperature of summer days can make cooling down much more difficult. Your pet requires more water during warmer weather, so be sure to provide plenty of fresh water, whether he stays inside under air conditioning, our outside in the warmer air. Outside pets require a shaded, ventilated area, and plenty of water, water, water. Many dog owners have found that a child's wading pool, filled with fresh water, provides their dog with an additional means to keep cool.

Don't take your pet with you if he will have to wait for you inside the car at your destination. It takes only a few minutes for temperatures inside a parked car to rise to deadly levels for the occupants left behind. Even on 'mild' days your pet could suffer heat stroke, brain damage, perhaps death, from the intense heat that quickly builds inside your car.

Identification Tags

Your pet should have your name and how you may be contacted engraved on an id tag attached to his collar. In addition, any medical alerts can be added, and always attach current immunization tags. Microchips implanted in a pet's ear will last 'forever' and are also a good investment.

Vaccinations and medications

Now is the time to update your pet's innoculations against rabies. Summertime brings your pet into closer contact with other animals, increasing his risk of exposure to rabies. Innoculate now to protect him and others. Flea and tick season seems to last all year. There are many ways to treat for these parasites, but, once again, the best treatment is prevention. There are several preventative treatments available, including medications administered on a monthly basis for those of us who have trouble remembering this 'chore'. Heartworms are another year-round concern, so be sure to have your pet checked by your veterinarian and then stick with the 'forever' prevention and maintenance program to keep these nasty little parasites out of your dog's heart and life!

Restrain the pet for travel safety

Loose dogs become missles in cars - dangerous to the dog and to the human occupants. Restraining the dog is an important safety precaution. The most secure restraint for the dog's safety is a good dog crate. A dog seatbelt harness is another option. Good ones are adjustable and are a safe and comfortable way for your pet to travel.

Barking in the car can ruin the trip for everyone. Experiment with what the dog is able to see. Some dogs are stimulated by sight and will be much quieter in a crate or other situation that restricts their view. Have a toy in the crate to keep the dog entertained. Reinforce with treats and other things the dog likes when the dog is quiet, and avoid any reward when the dog is making noise. Dog training is a huge distraction from driving. If you are going to administer treats or do any other dog training in a moving car, make sure there is one person to drive and at least one other person to work with the dog.

Conditioning your dog to enjoy car rides will yield huge benefits. Essential tasks such as visits to the veterinarian will become more convenient and less stressful. You'll be able to take the dog on outings, increasing the time you and your dog can spend together.

Rest Stops

When traveling by car, stop every 2 hours, if possible, to provide your dog with an opportunity to walk (or run) on his leash in the fresh air. Offer a refreshing drink of water to him during this time as well, if it is not available during the ride. Frequent stops will also allow your pet to relieve himself when necessary, thereby avoiding emergency stops. Please be considerate and collect your pet's droppings and place them in the next available outside trash receptacle.

Airline Travel

Check with your airline prior to travel to learn their particular rules and regulations regarding pets. Some will allow small pets to be carried on board; others restrict them to the cargo hold, weather permitting. Pets may be banned from the cargo hold altogether during extremely hot or cold weather, and therefore not be allowed to travel by air at all. Ask the airline how pets are transferred and where they are held during layovers and delays. A pet can experience health problems when left for long periods of time in a hot or cold cargo hold, on the tarmac, etc., during layovers and delays.

At your destination

Establish your pet's accommodations as soon as possible upon arrival at your destination. Place his crate and bedding in a quiet place, away from major activity, where he can slip off to rest, sleep, and avoid outside annoyances. Place a few of his toys inside the crate or on his bed to provide a diversion while he rests. It is a good idea to feed him near his crate, away from strange animals and unfamiliar people. Do leave a dish of water nearby at all times, but take up any uneaten food immediately to avoid provoking arguments between your pet and others over ownership. No need to tempt a good pet into bad behavior due to fear of unfamiliar places, people, and animals. While at your destination, exercise your pet regularly on a leash. A pet unfamiliar with a new backyard may leap the fence to search for his own home and be unable to find his way back to you. If your pet is too small to leap a fence, check the fence and block any opening large enough to allow your pet to escape before you put him out. Always bag and dispose of your pet's droppings in a proper receptacle. Your host and his neighbors will appreciate it.