Summer is here in full force and I hear that a lot of my 2- and 4-legged friends are out and about this time of year. Whether it be vacations, errands, or trips to see my vets, at some point we all need to be transported somewhere. One of these days I hope someone takes me to the beach with them. I think I’d look great in some swim trunks! Here are some tips to help your pets ride in style (and safely). • Most important: Never leave your pet in the car on a warm day. Never, ever. • Cats should be kept in their carriers, no matter how much we complain about it. We can be very distracting and get into some dangerous situations if we are allowed to walk around. We just can’t help ourselves. • Please keep our carriers somewhere cool and secure. Trunks and the back of pickup trucks are not safe places for us to ride. • My dog friends also should not ride in the bed of a pickup truck. Sometimes they decide it’s time to get out whether the truck is moving or not and can seriously injure themselves. • If possible, secure your pup with a seat belt using a special harness, in a crate, or with a leash. • If your dog is allowed to move around the car, be sure to keep the windows closed or only open enough so that their nose can fit and no more. We animals have serious self-control problems and are not above squeezing out an open window if given the chance. Despite following these tips, some pets are not cut out for the travel lifestyle. If your pet is one of these and becomes nervous or sick in the car, make sure to speak to my vet friends about what you can do to help make the essential trips more enjoyable.
