Skip to content
As a pet owner, you would love to travel with your furry companions. However, pet travel requires a considerable amount of planning. Among things you should consider before travel, climate holds a prominent place. That’s because changes in temperature can affect the safety and comfort of your pet.
How can Adverse Climate Impact Pet Travel?
Climate change can impact your pet in many different ways. Here are some of the most prominent ways out of them.
Heatstroke
Heat stroke in dogs is not very uncommon. That’s because your dog cant’ sweat like you. Instead, it will need to pant in order to cool down. Panting will not be possible in a poorly ventilated vehicle or in hot climates.
Here are some of the signs that indicate heat stroke in dogs:
- Excessive drooling or panting
- Redness in tongue and gums
- Diarrhea and vomiting
When you see these signs, you should provide enough water to the dog. Similarly, you need to ensure proper ventilation as well. Having a pet temperature monitor will help you to overcome heat strokes.
Hypothermia
If you have a small breed pet or a pet with short hair, you should be mindful about the possibility of getting hypothermia. The signs of hypothermia include:
- Trembling or shivering
- Weakness or lethargy
- Blue or pale gums
To prevent hypothermia, you can dress up your short haired pet in warm clothes. Similarly, you should minimize its exposure to cold environments.
Foods you can give to your pet in warm weather
When you travel with your pet in warmer climates, you need to give foods that can help him cool down. Here are few such options:
- Fresh vegetables and fruits such as carrots, watermelon, and cucumber.
- Hydrating treats such as ice cube treats and frozen yogurt cubes.
- Wet foods such as homemade stews and canned foods.
Foods you can give to your pet in cold weather
When it comes to pet travel in cold weather, you should have foods that can help your loved one to warm up. Here are few options to try:
- High fat treats such as fish oil, salmon, and cheese. You may also consider giving peanut butter.
- Warm meals such as heated kibble and warm stews.
- Protein rich foods such as eggs and lean meats.
Tips to Stay Safe with Pets in Extreme Weather Conditions
Here are some valuable tips that can help you to ensure safety when traveling with your pet. Whether it is warm or cold, following these tips will ensure the comfort of everyone.
- Always monitor temperature inside the vehicle
Whether you are traveling in an RV or a car, you should have a way to monitor temperature inside the vehicle. This is where a pet temperature monitor can help. Make sure that it offers real-time alerts to you.
- Plan for breaks
Continuous travel in extreme weather conditions can be overwhelming. This is why you should plan for breaks. Plan for a break at least once every 2 to 3 hours. During the break, provide enough space for the pet to hydrate and cool down.
- Go for pet friendly destinations
Before selecting a destination, you can check and confirm whether it is safe for your pet or not. It is better to select KOA campgrounds since they provide amenities for the pet. Similarly, you may also select thousand trails since there are fenced areas for dogs.
- Have an emergency kit in place
It is always a good thing to take an emergency kit with you when traveling. It should have a first aid kit for pets, cooling pads, and some water/food bowls.
- Update pet identification
Your chances of losing the pet are high during travel. This is where you need to update pet identification information on the collar or microchip.
Final Words
Follow these tips and be safe when traveling to areas with extreme weather conditions with your pet. Then you can provide enjoyable travel experiences to your loved companion.
