Greyhounds are generally great traveling companions. If you are planning on taking your special hound on a trip, here are some tips to make sure you have thought of everything to make the experience as smooth and pleasant as possible:
- Never leave your pet unattended in a car, even with the windows cracked. If it’s 85 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can rocket to 120 degrees in a matter of minutes.
- Take along your pet’s medical records: vaccine history, including rabies certificate; records of latest exam, any chronic illness and/or allergies. Speaking of vaccines, this is an important part of owning pets. Their health should be a priority when you decide to take in pets. With this being said, treatments like fel-o-vax don’t exist for no reason. If you find out that there is a way to prevent your pet from getting a disease, wouldn’t you want to find out more?
- If your pet is on medication, e.g. CBD for Pets, be sure you pack it. To be on the safe side, take extra and bring the original prescription bottles.
- Pack a first aid kit for your pet: tweezers to remove ticks, bandaging material for any cuts, hydrogen peroxide, etc. Click here for a list of items to include in your pet first aid kit.
- Include a printed photo of your dog. This could be a vital item should he/she get out and/or away from you.
- Identify the nearest animal emergency hospital to where you are staying and have the phone number handy.
- Make sure your pet’s heartworm and flea prevention medications are current.
- Don’t feed a large meal before leaving; simply allow periodic snacking.
- Carry collapsible bowls for food and water.
- Make sure that dog tags are clearly visible because people are more likely to catch pets if they can return them to the owner. If your pet is microchipped, make sure that the registration information is up to date.
- If your pet has implants (e.g. plates or screws from orthopedic surgery), and he or she will be flying, you should bring a note from your veterinarian.
- If your dog is one of the 17 percent who get sick when traveling, ask your veterinarian about an anti-vomiting medication called Cerenia. Dogs get motion sickness either because they are anxious while traveling or because their balance is affected by movement. You may wish to play music for anxious dogs as well as administer the Cerenia. In either case, Cerenia blocks vomiting signals, which prevents dogs from getting sick. If they give you a prescription, you can easily get it through your local pharmacy or via an online if you live in that area.
- Pack your Grey’s kennel muzzle. This can come in handy if he/she will be being introduced to unfamiliar cats or dogs at your destination.
And, if you decide that you can’t take your furry family member with you, remember that AAGA offers Greyhound-exclusive boarding services.