With the arrival of summer, our thoughts turn to vacations and trips into cottage country for various lengths of stay. It is becoming more commonplace for the family pets to go on trips with the rest of the family, rather than being left behind at a boarding facility. This means that consideration must be made for the safety and comfort of the furry travelers, both during and after the trip.
The most important thing that you can do to assure your pet’s safety is to make sure he or she has more than one means of identification in case they stray or get lost. Often people think that a collar is adequate, but many pets slip out of their collars or otherwise lose them. If your pet wears a tag, make sure that the information is still readable on it, and that it is current – for example, if a telephone number is listed, make sure it’s the number where you can be reached, not your home number. A microchip provides permanent identification that can’t be lost, but again, if the information that was provided at the time of registration has not been updated, the company won’t be able to contact you!
Your pet should also be up-to-date on its vaccinations, and you should make sure that you bring along any medications, including flea or heartworm medication, that your pet has been prescribed. Summer is the time when most pets come into contact with other animals, both pets and wildlife.
Protect both your pet and the local wildlife from harm by using common sense. During breeding season, many wild creatures will be raising their young, and thus will be more vulnerable and possibly more aggressive (because of the need to protect their offspring). Porcupines and skunks are both more active during summer months, especially at night, and both are capable of inflicting injuries to an unsuspecting or curious pet.
If you’re going to be near the water, be vigilant – not every pet can swim, and travel in boats can be especially frightening. For safety’s sake, you should outfit your dog with a life jacket, and make sure that your cat is safely confined in a cat carrier before venturing out onto a boat. Hazards that are common on the beach include broken glass, and hot sand – both of which can injure your pet’s paws easily. Watch out for dirty water – pools and ponds may contain toxins, bacteria or parasites that could cause a serious infection. If you leave your pet in the cottage while you go out on the water, remember that heat stroke represents a serious threat to an animal confined in an unventilated space. And NEVER leave your pet in a parked car, not even if you’ve parked in the shade. At an outside temperature of 20oC (70oF), the inside of a car can rapidly reach temperatures in excess of 60oC (140oF).
Unfortunately, broken glass is a common hazard in both the water and the woods. In an emergency, you may be able to use materials such as bandages from your own first aid kit. However, be very cautious about using any topical medications on your pet, since many of these medications are not intended for internal use – and your pet will instinctively lick its wounds and/or any substance that is applied to them.
Toxic substances are often found at a cottage or vacation home, and storage areas for these poisons may be less secure than at home. Toxic substances that are often found at the cottage include rodenticides, wood preservatives, charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinners, and other chemicals. Many seasonal cottage owners use ethylene glycol (radiator antifreeze) to winterize toilets. The sweet taste of this extremely toxic substance is irresistible to pets, and represents an insidious threat that is easily overlooked in the excitement of arriving at your destination.
