PRESS RELEASE: 10 TIPS FOR LONG WEEKEND TRAVEL WITH YOUR DOG
Part of PetSafe® Brand Australia Pet Hydration Month Awareness
Campaign
January 2021: The Australia Day long weekend is almost here, which means packing up the family and hitting the road! But don’t leave your dog behind; taking them with you isn’t as daunting as some think!
Preparing for a long road trip can be hectic at the best of times, but including your best friend doesn’t need to add to the stress if you follow these simple tips from PetSafe® Australia.
1. Assess your pet. Make sure your pet is up for the journey. Travel can be a stressful proposition for humans and even more so for our pawed pals if they lack the temperament or health to make a successful trek. Before deciding to take Fido, best to do a health check with your vet, especially if you plan on traveling a long distance.
2. Prepare them first.
Your first big road trip with your pet should not be their first road trip ever! Make sure that before your departure date, you take them on short drives first. Start with just sitting in the car, in the driveway, and then gradually extend the time and distance; until they start to get in easily and out of the car without fear. Please make sure you put them in their care crate or seat each time.
3. Get organised. Before you depart on the journey, make sure you have all of your pets’ vaccination documents and other health records. Don’t forget toys, bedding, food and water, bowls, and waste bags. A car cuddler bed, for example, can double as a sleeping pad in hotel rooms or the home of a friend or relative.
4. Safety first. If a car is your primary transportation, make sure your dog is secured in a booster seat or dog safety seat or behind a dog barrier. You never know when he might move in for a front-seat kiss, and that might not end well. A pet vehicle ramp can help a dog enter and exit your vehicle with ease and save wear and tear on his – and your – joints during potty breaks. Car seat covers can help keep your car clean for the duration of the journey.
5. Update their ID.
Ensure you have updated your dogs’ microchip details and identification tags with your contact details before leaving. There can be a higher risk of your pet getting lost when you travel to an unfamiliar area.
6. Meal Times. On the day you leave, feed them only a very light meal around four hours before your departure. It is usually advisable to keep their stomach empty during the travel hours, feeding them only once you have arrived at your destination, or feed them a small cup of dry food every 4-6 hours. Please do not give them human food.
7. Hydration. Ensure your pet has access to fresh water at least every two hours throughout the journey. Dogs need more water than we do, and this is especially important on long summer road trips. Your pet needs to drink at least 90mls of water for every kilogram they weigh – every day. A dog that weighs 20kg (for example) will require almost 2ltrs of water. Ensure you bring along large containers of water that is just for your pet.
8. Bathroom Breaks.
Depending on your dog’s age will depend on how regularly you will need a bathroom stop. For example, an older dog could go for hours without stopping while a puppy will need to toilet every hour. A rule of thumb is to time it with your stops every two hours.
9. Never leave their side.
Do not ever leave a dog alone in a car, even for just a short period. Not only can they suffer from heat exhaustion, which can be life-threatening, but also leaving them alone in the car in an unfamiliar environment could cause them severe anxiety. So always keep them near you.
10. Room at the Inn. Nobody wants to stay at the heartbreak hotel, so if you pine for your pets while traveling, consider options for either upscale or low-cost lodging with your dog. Several websites maintain lists of pet-friendly hotels, but it is best to contact the front desk before arrival. Additional fees may apply. Make sure you travel with all the pet essentials, including disposable litter boxes for your feline friend.
-ENDS-
For more information about PetSafe® Brand products visit: www.petsafe.com/AU or contact Amanda Kuhn, Missy Mischief PR ([email protected] / 0410 570 993)
To access PetSafe® Brand Full Media kit go to: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7v2wd6tivl7zs9c/AAAOwJ993QYdTrx2DbQ1Ro4ja?dl=0
Contacts:
Media and Communication
Amanda Kuhn, Missy Mischief PR
[email protected]
+61 (0)410 570 993
Marketing
Zarqa Ali, Radio Systems Australia
[email protected]
+61(0)7 5556 3804
About PetSafe® Brand
PetSafe® Brand is a global pet product expert with its headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee. Wide-ranging innovative products are available across the PetSafe® Brand product portfolio including training, containment, and lifestyle and wellbeing product solutions. Visit www.petsafe.com for further details or connect on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
