It's almost the start of summer and that means you may be heading out on a road-trip or for a fun day in the sun. And, if you're like us, you plan to bring your pet along for the adventure! So, Before you head out the door, don’t forget your dog-specific travel supplies! To help we’ve compiled a list of important items to ensure you and your pet make the most of your day(s) out-and-about!
On your next summer adventure with your dog, make sure you bring along the following to avoid hassles or health trip-ups:
Travel dog bowls and clean water: Staying hydrated is crucial and chances are you're packing yourself a bottle of water, so go ahead and bring extra for your pup, along with their water dish or collapsible/foldable dog bowls. You can prevent water-borne diseases and parasites in your pets by carrying your own water, so they won’t be tempted to drink out of mud puddles!
The same Giardia parasite you’re avoiding by not drinking out of streams and rivers could also infect your dog, along with a whole other host of worms and parasitic nastiness that you really don’t want to get involved with!Leptospirosis is a deadly disease that is easily picked up by dogs when they sniff or drink out of puddles or still water that has been contaminated by leptospirosis-infected urine (often carried by rodents, raccoons, skunks, etc). Vets see a lot of cases of leptospirosis in late summer and fall, particularly in places where it rains heavily.
Food and treats: Depending on how long you’ll be gone, your dog will need to replenish his energy stores, just as you do! And if you’re packing a picnic or BBQ supplies at the beach, don’t leave Fido hanging out hungry. Ensuring you’ve got food along just for him will stave off the temptation to let him share your feast (which could lead to tummy troubles later)! If you're going on a longer trip it might be a good idea to bring along an extra serving or two of your dog’s food just in case. Plans can change unexpectedly and having to switch your dog’s food quickly can lead to digestion troubles.
Travel Wipes & Spritz: From muddy trails to lake swims, summer can be so much fun with your dog but wet dog smell and dirty paws are not. Our waterless grooming products are made just for situations like these! Make the car ride home a much more pleasant experience by cleaning off your dog’s muddy paws with earthbath grooming wipes, and then give them a quick spritz.
No one wants to go for a long car ride with a dog that has a lingering scent. When this happens, our deodorizing pet spritz can save the journey! It is important to use sprays and spritzes that are formulated to be safe for use on pets. Our spritz combines natural, pet-safe ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, organic aloe vera and essential oils to refresh your dog’s skin and coat, leaving it soft, hydrated and smelling delicious.
Flea, tick, mosquito and sun protection: Summer is insect season, and if you’re heading out into the great outdoors, you’ll want to be sure and protect your pet from fleas, ticks, mosquitos, flies, and other biting insects. Check with your vet for the best product(s) for your pet’s special needs. And check to make sure your grooming products don't impact your topical flea solutions, earthbath products do not. For the tropical scent and the benefit of having to pack one bottle while getting the benefits of both a shampoo and conditioner we recommend our Mango Tango® 2-in-1 Conditioning Shampoo for your summer travels.
A lot of people don’t think about it, but if your dog is short-haired, light-colored, or shaved, he is just as susceptible to painful sunburn and skin cancer as you are. That means as you slather yourself up with sunscreen, so should you slather your dog. It is important to be careful with the sunscreen you use on your dog, because some ingredients can be toxic if they are licked off. Zinc oxide should never be used because dogs can become dangerously anemic if it is ingested. So always look for specific sunscreens designed for pets.
Watch for signs of overheating and heat exhaustion: Though not a material “item,” the best thing to bring along on any summertime adventure with your pet is constant vigilant awareness to your pet’s comfort level and state of energy. Remember, dogs only have their tongues to cool off, and an inexhaustible desire to “keep up” with you and please you. This means, unfortunately, that your dog will likely drive itself to complete exhaustion rather than prevent you from continuing your run/hike/walk/etc. So, it’s up to you to stop your dog before he gets to that unfortunate point.
If the weather is hot be extra cautious of the early signs of heat exhaustion; including rapid breathing, heavy panting, and thick, ropy salivation. Other signs are fatigue, muscle tremors, and staggering/confusion. If it’s too hot for you, it’s WAY too hot for your dog. Wait until it cools off before you do anything active.
With everything gathered a travel bag specially for your dog, that is designated to carry carry his own food, water, treats, medications, dog bowls, wipes, waste bags and anything else he (or you) might need is a great idea. And if you're looking for more tips for traveling with your pet check out our blog post, Safe Traveling with Pets. Check out our two totes bags to carry all your dog’s travel essentials in.
We hope these tips helped and that you have a fun and safe summer with your furiend!
