10 Tips For Pet Outdoor Enthusiasts

Our beloved pets are going literally everywhere with us these days, from hiking and backpacking to kayaking and canyoning. These adventures offer a lot of opportunity for both rewards and risks for our pets, and we definitely want to eliminate the latter. Ensure that your pet stays happy and healthy while exploring the world with these important tips, and remember when planning your trip to make sure your pet is allowed to be there before you go.

Side note: Typically, when pets aren’t welcome somewhere it’s because it’s dangerous for them or us, not because they aren’t wanted, so please don't sneak your pet into off-limit areas.

1. Monitor and maintain temperature- it’s important that in warm or cold climates your pet is properly protected with their own gear, and they are getting plenty of water, and rest when needed. Shop Amazon for sleeping bags, warm coats, rain jackets, or cooling vests. Shop Chewy for sleeping bags, warm coats, rain jackets, and cooling vests.

2. Feed consistently-provide your pet’s usual kibble, increase fed calories as burned calories increase, and make sure your pet isn’t eating things it shouldn’t. Prevent your pet from drinking contaminated water by keeping it on leash and providing it clean, filtered water. Shop travel dishes on Amazon or Chewy.

3. Keep your pet on a 6ft leash-this is required in most places and ensures your pet is safe from other people, animals, and outdoor dangers. Shop on Amazon or Chewy.

4. Paw protection-your pet’s paws are super sensitive and most outdoor terrain can be dangerous. Boots can protect from heat, cold, bug bites, foxtails, thorns, rough surfaces, etc. They can also improve your pet’s traction on slippery surfaces. Shop Amazon or Chewy.

5. Eye protection-equally adorable and protective. Dog goggles aka doggles protect your pet’s eyes from damaging UV rays, dust, and other foreign material that could scratch or damage the eyes. Shop Amazon or Chewy.

6. Car Safety-your pet should always be properly restrained in your vehicle with a tested and approved crate or harness, and not left in the vehicle when the temperatures are too warm or cold. Shop CPS Certified Sleepypod on Amazon or Chewy, ZugoPet on Amazon, or Gunnar Kennels.

7. Water Safety-pets should wear life jackets on all water craft and any pet who is not an advanced swimmer should be monitored and wearing a life jacket near open water. Pets in households with pools should only have access to it when monitored and should be trained to safely exit the pool. Shop Amazon or Chewy.

8. Prevent travel sickness-if your pet gets stressed consider using fear free techniques and probiotics to prevent stool issues. For motion sickness ask your vet if Cerenia or Dramamine would be right for your pet. It is also a good idea to keep Benadryl (diphenhydramine) on hand in case your pet gets bit/stung by a bug. Make sure before administering any over-the-counter medications to your pet that you consult with your veterinarian first to see if it is safe or recommended, and if so, what dosage would be appropriate.

9. Parasite Prevention-protect your pet from parasites with comprehensive preventatives and limit your pet’s access to heavily infested areas. Always check your pet‘s coat for parasites during and after the trip, and prevent your pet from eating and drinking contaminated or dangerous foods and liquids. All pets should have fecal tests performed at least every 6 months. Check out external and internal parasites preventatives on Chewy, which need to be prescribed by your veterinarian.

10. Vaccination-all pet’s are required by law to have rabies vaccines and should have their other core vaccines, but dogs with outdoor lifestyles in many areas should also be vaccinated with non-core vaccines such as Lepto, Lyme, and Rattlesnake. It’s definitely best to consult with your vet before taking your pet out into the world.

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