When travelling abroad there are many options to consider such as how you’re going to get to your destination and where you’re going to stay.  If you have pets, such as a dog, then you are likely to need to arrange accommodation for them while you’re away, which can be extremely stressful and costly. Sometimes, it’s actually easier to bring your pet with you. When travelling to the warmer climates, it is important that your dog is well looked after in order to prevent them from becoming dehydrated or experiencing any form of illness while dealing with a brand-new climate. Here, we are going to look at how to keep your dog healthy when travelling to hot climates and how vital it is to the overall health of your dog. 

Preparation

Preparations for yourself on a trip are very important, with documentation such as EHIC cards and passports as well as medical check-ups, all of which need to be arranged prior to travelling. It is just as important for your pet to have all the suitable documentation and check-ups in order to ensure they are safe to travel too. This means that the necessary jabs are completed before the holiday and all steps are put in place to ensure that your pet is happy and healthy before the big day. Additionally, it is also worth looking into the weather in your holiday destination, to check that it is safe to bring pets. Also, preparation such as water bowls and constant water supply is also key to keeping your dog happy and healthy when travelling somewhere warm, so they do not overheat or become dehydrated during the trip. You may find that in countries such as Italy and Spain, they are very accommodating to dogs, and will offer water for free.  

Avoid The Hottest Times Of The Day

Avoiding the hottest hours of the day (generally between 12 pm and 3 pm, when the sun is at its highest point) is important because the ground surface is very hot. This is key to keeping your dog healthy when travelling in hotter countries because the hot surface can burn the paws of your dog and cause overheating. This can be avoided by walking your dog outside of these times when the temperature has fallen. As well as this, aim to keep your dog inside with plenty of water and shade as this will help to keep their overall body temperature down. Packing cooling packs can also aid with this as it gives them somewhere wet to lie in order to cool off. Take your dog’s temperature regularly and look out for warning signs such as panting, excessive temperature and anxiety, as they could be signs of something bigger.

Grooming 

Another way to ensure that your dog stays cool throughout your trip is through appropriate grooming. If your dog has thick hair it is best to get that trimmed before the trip to ensure no unnecessary overheating will occur, to keep your dog healthy and happy. However, when getting your dog groomed, ensure that the groomer does not shave the dog entirely, as the more skin that is exposed, the higher the chance of sunburn.

Frozen Treats

Treats are crucial to keeping a dog happy and well rewarded, but during hot weather, it can be even more beneficial. By freezing treats such as chicken it can be used as a method to reward your dog as well as keeping them cool. By freezing the treats, you are keeping up the dog’s water intake as well as rewarding them. This does not only benefit their overall health but gives you peace of mind.

All of the above points are crucial when taking a dog away on holiday to a hot climate, in order to ensure that the dog is happy and healthy. Following these steps will ensure that you can have fun on your holiday abroad without the worry of your pet becoming seriously ill.