A successful journey with dog and cat
Planning a vacation can be exciting – but when you have a four-legged friend to take into account, it can also be challenging. Fortunately, travel doesn't have to be stressful for pet owners. With the right preparation and care, you can ensure a successful vacation for both you and your faithful companion. One in three Norwegians will take their pet on a trip this year. There can be some challenges – and here we will highlight several things that we believe are important to consider.
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Never leave dogs and cats in the car
One of the most important things to remember when traveling with a dog or cat is to never leave them in the car alone. While it may seem tempting to leave them in your vehicle while you explore a sight or go into a store, this can be extremely dangerous for your animals.
Even on a mild day, the temperature in a parked car can rise quickly and become life-threatening for your pet. Cars act like an oven and can become extremely hot even with the windows open. This can lead to heatstroke, dehydration and even death. Cats and dogs are especially vulnerable to heat – as they have limited ability to regulate their body temperature.
If you can’t take your pet with you when you leave the car, it’s best to find a safe alternative for them. Many places don’t allow animals inside – but you can always look for pet-friendly cafes, restaurants or shops where they can stay with you. If that’s not possible, consider having a companion who can keep an eye on your pet outside the car – or leaving your pet at home in a safe place with appropriate supervision.
It is also important to note that some countries and regions have laws that prohibit leaving animals alone in cars. This can result in fines or other penalties. So always be aware of local regulations and take responsibility for protecting your animals.
Dogs and cats pant to cool down
Why are dogs and cats so prone to overheating? They don't sweat like we do – but they pant to cool down. They lie down on a cool surface and release heat via their foot pads. By panting, the blood cools down and cold air passes through the blood vessels in the mouth. If the air temperature is too high, the thermoregulation collapses and panting can have the opposite effect. The body temperature rises and the dog can get heatstroke. Temperatures above 42 degrees are fatal.
What do I do if my dog or cat gets heatstroke?
Shower the dog in lukewarm water and measure the temperature continuously. Stop cooling when the temperature is 39,5 degrees. Or – put wet lukewarm sheets and blankets on the dog/cat.
What does the vet do?
At the vet, the dog will be further examined and treated. Blood samples will be taken and the patient will be further cooled – and intravenous fluid therapy will be given. Intensive treatment for several days may be necessary.
Exercise before the car journey
Both dogs and cats can get motion sickness. Typical signs are dogs that drool and vomit and cats that meow. Get some exercise in advance by taking small walks before your holiday. Avoid food in the last hours before the trip. A good aid is travel sickness tablets, which you can get on prescription from a vet.
Avoid long boat trips in the heat
Be careful of the combination of long boat trips and hot days. The dog drinks a lot of water in the heat – and sometimes we forget that the dog needs to go ashore to get some air. Then we dock and the dog jumps ashore with a full bladder. What can happen? The bladder can actually burst. We veterinarians experience cases of this every year. Make sure to air the dog regularly when you are on the water. And remember the life jacket – a dog that jumps overboard is not so easy to get back into the boat without a solid handle to hold on to.
Never give dogs and cats barbecue food
Camping and grilling belong together. You probably know that barbecued bones can be dangerous for dogs to eat and that barbecued bones from pigs are particularly dangerous. But did you know that corn on the cob can cause a complete blockage in your dog's intestinal system? Every summer we receive dogs with symptoms of foreign bodies in the intestines that have eaten corn on the cob. They must have surgical treatment.
