EADS

Travel-Time Feeding

By Kelley Dion

 It is important not to overload your pet’s stomach during travel.  Feeding your pet smaller, more frequent meals can decrease the chance of car sickness.  Plan out a routine in advance so you know when to stop and feed your pets during travel.  When in the car, only feed your pet ¼ of their normal meal at a time. 

 When preparing for a trip, measure out your pet’s meals, and include a couple of extra day’s worth.  Make sure food is where your pet can’t get to it.  If you have a gulper, try to slow down their eating when traveling by:

• Feeding by hand
• Putting large, smooth rocks in his dish
• Feeding him out of a muffin pan

Try to keep his feeding schedule and routine as close to normal as possible.

 Air Travel

 The USDA requires that your pet be offered food and water within 4 hours before check-in.  A full stomach can be uncomfortable and make them more likely to get sick, so many groups recommend feeding right at the four hour mark.  Offer water right up to the time of travel.

 Make sure you have dishes in your pet’s carrier so an airline employee can offer food and/or water.  Airlines set their own rules on how much food and water to include with your dog.  Check their policies before leaving for the airport.

Disease Prevention Quick Tips for Outdoor Enthusiasts

• Avoid camping/backpacking/hiking if you are feeling ill or if your animal companion is ill. People and animals are more prone to disease if their immune systems are weakened by other illnesses or conditions.
• Keep your outdoor gear (including tents, netting, sleeping bags, etc.) in good condition and repair or replace damaged items.
• Take precautions to minimize insect bites.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer immediately after handling animals, soil, equipment, or food.
• Wash tools, cooking equipment and working surfaces (including tables and cutting boards) thoroughly with soap and water after use. If contamination with soil or animal feces (stool) is suspected or known, disinfect the equipment and surfaces immediately. Adding a minimum of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water is usually adequate for use as a cleaning/disinfecting solution.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat.
• In theUnited States, campers and hikers/backpackers should report any signs of sick wildlife or wild bird die-off to the state’s game and fish agency or wildlife agency.
• Make sure your animal companions are up-to-date on their vaccines, especially rabies, prior to camping/hiking season.
• Consult your veterinarian about proper preventive treatments for your animals, such as heartworm prevention for dogs and cats, and use the products as recommended.
• Consult your veterinarian about regular stool exams of dogs to check them for parasites, including those that can be passed to people.
• Do not allow your dog to eat dead wildlife.
• Outdoor enthusiasts who regularly travel with animal companions should consider getting some basic training in human and animal first aid techniques. In addition, carrying a first aid kit with supplies for humans and animals is extremely important.

To protect your dogs, you should consult your veterinarian, but basic guidelines include:

• Apply topical or systemic tick-control treatments. Consult your veterinarian about the appropriate product for your dog.
• If possible, limit access to tick-infested areas.
• Check dogs frequently for ticks or, at a minimum, at the end of each day’s activities.The ticks should be promptly and carefully removed.

To protect your horses, you should consult your veterinarian, but basic guidelines include:

• Apply topical insect repellent products. It is likely you will have to reapply the products regularly, especially if you are traveling through areas with high insect activity.
• If possible, limit access to tick-infested areas.
• Check horses frequently for ticks or, at a minimum, at the end of each day’s activities.The ticks should be promptly and carefully removed. Be sure to check the tail, mane and ears thoroughly for ticks.

Consider the use of insect nets designed to be worn over horses’ eyes and ears to minimize insect bites, but do not consider them 100% effective. If you use these products, you should still check your horses regularly for ticks.