Travelling with your dog
Holidays are fast approaching! Hip hip hooray! 😊 Time to take a well deserve rest! Maybe a trip away?
Whether your spending Christmas interstate or going camping, and can’t imagine having fun without your pet, get ready with our top tips for travelling with dogs!
First time on a long ride?
It is your pup's first time in the car for a long trip? Get your pet ready in advance by taking her on a few short drives first, lengthening time as you go.
Travelling with your pet in the car can get you in trouble with the law so be sure to be familiar with your state’s rules. Driving around with a loose dog or a dog on your lap is very dangerous for both you and your pet and a reprehensible offence in Australia. You wouldn’t want to spend all your holiday ice-cream budget on a hefty penalty.
Your dog should have enough room in the car while being restrained, whether in a crate or using a harness or seat-belt attachment.
Ideally, feed your dog 3 to 4 hours before the car ride (to prevent car sickness), provide lots of stops along the way to stretch paws, drink water and take care of business.
It goes without saying that you should never leave your pet in a car. PETA reminds owners that a dog can die of a heatstroke within 15min, even with windows down.
During the trip, provide ample ventilation and plenty of air flow for your dog to be comfortable.
Your dog travelling kit
Be prepared for anything by putting together a small travelling kit with basic necessities:
- Poop bags
- A towel (for the beach stops)
- Plenty of water + drinking bowl
- Food and snacks
- Harness and lead
- Medication
Flying with pets
Every airline has different policies so make sure to check the fine prints before you decide to fly with your pet.
Flying with your pet demands a little bit of organisation. Do not leave it to the last minute: plan well ahead with your vet and pet travel services such as Jetpets.
You will need a sturdy pet carrier, clear IDs to be displayed, all your vaccinations in order and some airlines require a certificate from your vet stating that your dog is fit for travel.
Although flying with pets has become much more common and comfortable, we recommend you do your research and really decide whether you need to take your dog with you. Quarantine regulations in Australia are very strict and flying your pet can be expensive.
Camping with pets
In Australia, pets are not allowed in national parks. However, many caravan parks welcome pets. A quick search on the internet will give you recommended dog friendly camping spots in all of OZ.
To ensure a pleasant stay for your dog and the campers around you, follow simple guidelines:
- Keep your dog on leash and generally close to you.
- Pick up after your dog
- Do not leave your dog unattended
- If your dog is a big barker, you might want to reconsider taking him camping with you.
If you can’t take your pet with you
Not all pets enjoy travelling and you might not be able to take your pet with you for various reasons. If that is the case, consider boarding your dog or using a pet sitter.
When it comes to travelling with pets, your dog’s well-being should always come first.
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The Doggy Grub blog is dedicated to help dogs and their owners achieve happier, healthier lives, changing the way we feed our dogs one bowl at a time! If you would like to know more about our fresh food head to Doggy Grub
Resources:
Government of SA, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure https://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/
Jetpets, Animal Transport https://www.jetpets.com.au/
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