Vacation time for pet owners may not always be a carefree time. After all they have their four legged friends to think about and at times this may prove more tricky than traveling even with small children. But taking your dog along with you on your vacation is not that impossible. As long as you plan carefully, there are ways to make your trip a success for everyone concerned! There are several things to keep in mind when vacationing with your dog:

Pre-Trip Concerns: Before traveling, visit your vet for a routine check up and to update your pet on all the required vaccinations. Keep copies of these records with your travel documents and obtain any certificates from your doctor if necessary. Buy a decent supply of his regular food, treats and medications in advance so that you are not stuck in a foreign area without access to a veterinarian or pet shop. Carry along a list of hospitals and clinics along the route of your trip along with a basic first aid kit.

Getting There: Traveling with your pet could entail a journey by road or by plane. Some dogs are veteran travelers in cars while others may get overly fussy and stressed. To ensure a safe and pleasant trip for all the passengers, your dog should ideally be in the back seat with a window opened or the air conditioner on high so that there is plenty of ventilation. That said don’t let him ride with his head out of the window as this is extremely dangerous and could lead to injuries. Stop frequently for water breaks, to stretch his legs and to relieve himself if he needs to. Most importantly, never ever leave your dog unattended in a locked car as temperatures could rise or fall drastically while you are away and your dog may be unfortunately trapped. If you are flying, check with the airline about the rules and regulations as each have their own set for canine travel. Book in advance and try and keep your flights as direct as possible. Airlines also require proof of vaccinations and the necessary health certificates before traveling. You may also need to purchase an airline approved crate or carrier when traveling by air.

Accommodation: There are hotels geared to welcome your pets and there are others that have a strict no-pet policy. Check with all the hotels in your itinerary that they are pet-friendly and have the necessary facilities to look after your pet. Once at the hotel, make sure your dog does not disturb your neighbors or the property and try and keep him as quiet as possible. Never leave him alone in a hotel room and check with the hotel staff where you can walk him safely. Book your rooms in advance and if possible request for a ground floor or pet-safe room. Carry along a familiar toy or treat so that your dog is not confused by the new surroundings. Always keep a big bowl of water handy so that he can ward of dehydration.

Pet Safety: The number one strategy to keeping your pet safe when traveling is having proper identification. This increases the chances of recovery in the event that he gets lost and goes missing. Test his collar and leash for sturdiness and ensure that the tag has the new contact details of the place you are traveling to as well as your mobile phone number and address. If your pet has been microchipped or fitted with a Pet Tracker, make sure that you have updated your new contact details with the associated recovery service. Also carry a recent picture of your dog so that you can distribute it around in case he goes missing. Another ideal way of keeping track of your dog at all times is with a GPS Pet Tracker such as the SpotLight GPS Pet Locator. Using satellite signals and the latest Google Map technology, the SpotLight GPS Pet Locator can help you track your dog’s movements throughout the day. The SpotLight comes fitted with an LED beacon for greater visibility at night and is durable and water resistant. By monitoring your pet’s movements in this way, you can stop worrying about his safety and security. Keeping track of your pet on vacation is now even easier with the SpotLight GPS Pet Locator.

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