Practicing Common-Sense Travel Tips Can Ease Your Dog’s Journey
If you are planning to travel to the AKC Agility League Championship in St. Louis this summer, you want to make sure your dog has a comfortable ride.
“No matter how well-adjusted dogs are to traveling, they do not rest when a vehicle is moving,” says veterinarian and sports medicine specialist Jennell Appel, DVM, CCRT. “Travel can be stressful even if it is just a few hours. Arrive early if you can to give your dog and yourself time to rest before competing.”
Dr. Appel shares some helpful travel tips to help you on your journey.
Beat the heat of summer. Proper ventilation is important, particularly in warmer temperatures. Clip-on fans can help maximize the air flow around your dog. Be sure to monitor the temperature in your dog’s travel crate with a thermometer. Consider placing ice chips in a bowl in the corner of the crate for a cool treat.
A comfy ride pays off. Use rubber mats to keep dogs off the floor of their crate and padded cushions to add comfort. The crate should be large enough, but not too large, so a dog can lie down and comfortably stretch lengthwise. A dog should be able to brace himself when the vehicle is moving by pushing his paws against the side of the crate.
En route to your destination. About every three to five hours, take a break. Dogs need to stop bouncing and to air out and stretch. Choose a secluded spot away from other vehicles and people. Make sure your dog is on a lead and under control. Always offer your dog water at each stop. “Dogs should have at least eight hours of rest per day with the vehicle stopped,” Dr. Appel recommends. “This makes a huge difference in how well they handle traveling and how they perform when you arrive,” she says.
Promote optimal immune function. Travel stress can trigger GI upset and diarrhea, ultimately impacting a dog’s performance. To help reduce stress, make sure your dog is fully vaccinated and current on heartworm, flea and tick preventives. Consider proactively giving your dog Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements FortiFlora Canine Supplement, a probiotic supplement that can help manage diarrhea related to stress.
Keep dogs hydrated on the road. Dogs need more water when traveling, but getting them to drink can be challenging. Try soaking the dog’s dry kibble in warm water, totally saturating the food to aid hydration and digestion. Dogs will be thirsty about two hours after they eat, so it is important they have access to water.
“Be sure to bring several gallons of water from home or use bottled water when traveling,” Dr. Appel advises. This will help avoid bacterial contamination from unfamiliar water. A change in water source, even going from hard water to soft water, can upset a dog’s GI system and increase the risk of diarrhea and possibly cause dehydration and overheating.
Dinnertime when traveling. Try to feed dogs as close as possible to their regular time when traveling, though typically a dog’s food requirements are less than normal because they are less active. Always be sure to feed after exercise to allow time for digestion before performing agility the next day. Be sure to bring a plentiful supply of your dog’s performance food, as it may not be available where you are traveling.
Once you reach the championship venue, Dr. Appel advises you to take time to warm-up before and to cool down after the performance. “Doing so can help prevent injuries and soreness,” she says.
“Dogs need a 10- to 15-minute warm-up before they work,” Dr. Appel says. “A fast-paced walk helps to improve flexibility and heat the muscles, which reduce susceptibility to a strain injury and facilitate oxygen utilization due to an increase in hemoglobin release.
” A dog also should be gradually cooled down 10 to 15 minutes after a run. “A slow walk on a loose leash helps to dissipate waste products in the body,” she says. “This gradual decrease in cardiac output helps prevent the blood from pooling in the muscles and reduces soreness.”
Safe travels and good luck to all on your journey to the 2024 AKC Agility League Championship!