When you think of long summer days, do visions of boating, barbeques and beach outings come to mind?   It’s second nature for most people to take precautions to remain safe, whether that means slathering on sun-blocking lotions, wearing protective headgear, eyewear or a flotation device or maintaining proper hydration.

But what about your family pet? During these record-setting hot days, it’s important to keep in mind that pets’ needs are different from your own. Here are 7 tips to keep your pet safe and happy as the mercury rises.

7 Tips for Summer Pet Safety

1. Never leave pets in a car—It only takes 5-10 minutes for the temperature to climb to a deadly 120 degrees inside a vehicle, even with the windows cracked open. Don’t leave your pet in a vehicle for even one minute under any circumstances.
2. Exercise when it’s cooler—Taking your pet for an early morning and late evening walk is preferable. Sensitive paw pads can blister on hot pavement.
3. Provide indoor access—Install a pet door if you want to allow your pet access to the great outdoors while you’re gone.  Of course, make sure he can’t escape your enclosed yard.  Leaving him outside too long can have serious health consequences.  And always leave adequate supplies of fresh drinking water inside and out.
4. Know your dog—Short-snouted dogs like pugs and bulldogs find it harder to breathe in hot, humid weather and can get heat exhaustion more quickly than other breeds. Ask your vet if your dog has any special needs.
5. Keep an eye on toxins—Gardening and lawn care often equals lots of chemicals and fertilizers.  Check labels to make sure you’re using pet-friendly products at home and share your finds with your neighbors to encourage them to keep pet-safe lawns.
6. Be safe in the water —If your pet will be swimming in any local bodies of water, make sure his shots are up to date. Polluted water can cause infections.  Avoid accidents with boats, water skiers and jet skiers by keeping a close eye on your pet.   To avoid accidental drowning, consider purchasing a pet life jacket if you will be taking your pet boating.
7. Barbecue responsibly—Avoid the temptation to feed your dog those babyback ribs or other bone-in meats that you’re grilling.  Bone splinters can be harmful and the meat is generally too fatty. Take precautions to keep your dog away from the grill to avoid accidental burns.  It’s easy to lose sight of him when you are transferring food to and from the grill and the last thing you want is your dog jumping up to grab food off a hot grill.

Use common sense to make sure the summer is safe for you and your pet!

Rabies and Overseas Travel

Pet owners need to be concerned about rabies when traveling outside the U.S. Pets are vaccinated to prevent them from acquiring the disease from wildlife and transmitting it to humans. For more information about protecting your pet from rabies, visit http://www.airanimal.com/rabies.php.

Sure, moving into a new home can be very exciting. But even under the best circumstances, leaving behind familiar surroundings and friends can also be a bit stressful. When the move is one that takes you across state lines or national borders, additional adjustments are needed. If you own a dog, you’ll want to take steps to ensure the transition goes smoothly for him as well.  Here are some tips to help, but in general if you think in terms of continuity and positive reinforcement it will ease your canine companion’s adjustment.

New Home Tips for Dogs

1. To help with transition challenges, keep your dog in a secure carrier  in a quiet area on moving day.
2. Bring along a good supply of your pet’s food and treats.  They may not be readily available in your new location.
3. Maintain the same feeding and exercise schedule.  Place the feeding station and toys in locations as similar to the old ones as possible.
4. Introduce your furry friend to the new neighbors and neighborhood.  Taking short frequent walks in the new neighborhood accompanied with lots of praise and treats will increase his confidence and security. Coach neighbors to approach your dog gingerly and with praise.  They’ll need to allow him to sniff them before they attempt to pet him. Let them reward him with treats for positive interactions.
5. Stay home a few days before going off to work and pay extra attention to your pet. He will adjust more quickly and feel more comfortable in his new home.
6. Use part of those days to get established with a new veterinarian before you need one.  Ask your former  veterinarian for a recommendation if possible.  You can also consult your new pet-owning neighbors for guidance on this important decision.
7. If you will be gone during the day, hire a dog walker so your pet can get exercise and  stimulation in your absence. Don’t leave your dog unattended in a fenced-in back yard until you are absolutely sure it is escape proof.

The best positive reinforcement you can give your dog during a time of transition is your personal attention and love. Spend time petting your dog.  It can reduce your blood pressure, slow your heart rate and help ease your own transition anxieties.  Be good to yourself and your dog and both of you will enjoy your life and new home.

Leave it to a Professional

Moving long distance involves many challenges. Doing so with a pet is not for the inexperienced.  If you are planning a long distance move and want to make sure your dog has the best possible experience, hire the services of a professional pet mover.  Experienced pet movers work closely with airlines and embassies and stay up to date on ever-changing regulations.  Do yourself and your dog a favor and incorporate the services of a professional animal shipper into your moving plan.  For more information, visit http://www.airanimal.com/services.php

Summer is a time when many Americans pack their car and hit the road in search of precious family time, relaxation and fun. If you plan to bring along a four-legged member of your family as you see the USA by car, a little planning can go a long way toward making it safe, comfortable and fun for you and your pet.

There is more to traveling with a pet than loading the animal into the back seat and putting the car in drive — especially if you’re planning a long trip that will take you away from home for a week or more.  The ASPCA offers a number of helpful tips to help ensure a safe, comfortable road trip:

1. Keep your pet in a well-ventilated crate or carrier while he is in the vehicle. There is a variety of wire mesh, hard plastic and soft-sided carriers available. Choose one that is large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. Have your pet get used to the carrier by spending some time in it each day starting a week or so before your trip.
2. If your pet’s experience in a car is limited to short trips to the vet, start getting him used to spending time in the car by taking short drives that get progressively  longer. Keep him in the back seat in his crate or with a harness attached to a seat buckle so it won’t slide or shift if you stop quickly or make sweeping turns.
3. Don’t feed your pet in a moving vehicle—even if it is a long drive. Start your trip by feeding your pet a light meal three to four hours before you leave home.  Subsequent meals can be fed when you make rest and exercise stops.
4. Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a death trap.
5. If you plan to cross state lines, it’s a good idea to bring along your pet’s rabies vaccination record, as some states require this proof at certain interstate crossings.
6. When you pack your suitcase, don’t forget to pack one for your pet.  In addition to medical papers, be sure to include food, a bowl, leash, waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies, medication and a pet first-aid kit.  Throw in a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity.
7. Make sure your pet has a microchip for identification and wears a collar with a tag imprinted with your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your cell phone, destination phone number and any other relevant contact information. Canines should wear flat collars.
8. Resist the temptation to allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window. He could be injured by flying objects. Put the window down if you want him to experience a breeze. At interstate highway speeds, the dog’s corneas are easily damaged by foreign bodies you are unable to see.
9. It is important to keep your pet hydrated so bring along a good supply of water from home stored in plastic jugs. Drinking water from a new area can upset a pet’s digestive system.
10. If you travel frequently with your pet, you may want to invest in rubberized floor liners and waterproof seat covers, available online and at auto product retailers.

Planning to Travel by Air?

If your summer plans involve traveling by air with a family pet, you’ll have a host of other considerations, especially if you plan to cross international borders. You would be wise to retain the services of a professional animal shipper so you and your pet don’t end up separated.  For more information, visit http://www.airanimal.com/moving-pets.php.

Why place your dog in a kennel or with a friend when you can take your furry friend along on summer vacation?  The internet is packed with resources to help you select the perfect destination and accommodations so you and your canine companion can have a great time.   Whether you plan to travel by car, plane, boat or train, all it takes is a little homework to put the daily grind behind you and switch to vacation mode.

Where To?

Start by choosing a pet-friendly destination.  Whether you want to enjoy ocean breezes, hike mountain trails, entrench yourself in history or take a bite of the Big Apple, there are oodles of dog-loving options to choose from.  Dogfriendly.com lists the Top 10 dog-friendly destinations in the U.S. as:

1. San Diego
2. Portland
3. Austin
4. Northern Virginia
5. San Francisco
6. Boston
7. Orlando
8. Salt Lake City
9. Charleston
10. New York

The site also provides a guide to other pet-loving U.S. and Canadian cities.  You’ll be surprised at some of the amenities available to your animal.

The Ritz or Roughing It?

Whether you have your heart set on a hotel with soft pillows and room service or want a more down-to- earth experience in a campground or RV park, you’ll find plenty of places that roll out the welcome mat for your puppy.

Some hotels pamper dogs with special treats, beds, pillows, bowls, dishes and veterinarian-approved meals served in your room.  You and your pet can get the royal treatment!  RV parks and campgrounds offer off-leash areas and special trails to help you and your four-legged pal commune with nature.

What are you waiting for?  Pick up your mouse and click your way to dog-friendly travel.

Pet Travel Tips When Relocating

If you are planning a long distance move within the U.S. or abroad and plan to take a cat, dog, horse or other animal, you’ll want to retain the services of a professional pet moving company.  Check out Air Animal’s Top 7 considerations to make sure your move is safe and stress-free for you and your pet.