Happy tails: How to make sure our four-legged friends have a safe holiday

The school holidays are fast approaching and that means many families will be preparing to hit the road with their four-legged friend in tow.

Whether you’re going across town or across the State, travelling with your pet can be a great experience. But in a vast area like WA, there are a few dangers which could quickly derail your fun.

If you’re away for less than a month, your cat will be much happier at home with a pet sitter, so this article will focus on four common road trip dangers for dogs.

1. Becoming lost

Your dog is at higher risk of becoming lost when you’re travelling. There are new distractions and fencing may not be as secure. If your dog becomes separated from you and doesn’t have an ID tag or microchip, they may not be returned to you even if they’re found. Before you leave home, make sure your pet’s tags and microchip information is up to date. To check the details on your pet’s microchip, visit petaddress.com.au.

2. Parasites

Travel can expose your pup to a range of new parasites, so you’ll want to make sure they’re adequately protected before setting off. Ticks can transmit dangerous diseases to your furry friend such as E. canis, which is known to be active in northern WA at the moment. A tick collar or spot treatments that repel and kill brown dog ticks are your best form of primary protection. You’ll also want to check your pet’s vaccinations are up to date, especially parvovirus.

3. Snakes

Signs of a snake bite in your pet include weakness followed by collapse, shaking/twitching and difficulty blinking, vomiting, loss or bladder/bowel control, dilated pupils, paralysis or blood in urine. If you think your pet has been bitten, keep them calm and take them to a vet immediately. You can apply a pressure bandage around the bite, but do not wash the wound. Do not try to catch or kill the snake; there are tests your vet can do to identify the type of snake responsible.

4. Travel dangers

RSPCA WA hears heartbreaking stories of pets passing away where a seatbelt may have saved their lives. Car restraints for dogs are widely available, affordable and can attach to seatbelts or buckles. As tempting as it is to have your furry mate riding shotgun, pets are much safer in the back seat. It is against the law and extremely dangerous for your pet to travel on your lap while driving.

If you’re travelling north with your dog, camping is going to be an easier bet than relying on accommodation. Keep in mind that dogs are not allowed in national parks and conservation areas. Before setting off, do some research. I like to save the phone numbers of emergency vets along the route in my phone for easy access. If you’re travelling along the coast, pack lots of extra water and be mindful that dogs with light skin and white fur are prone to sunburn, so keep them in the shade or use a canine-safe sunscreen.

RSPCA WA Mid West Inspector Paul Acton