Mandatory Summer Requirements - Pet Travel!

1) Pet Grooming- Under Coat Removal: Most veterinarians and professional groomers recommend against shaving your pet for the summer months, because a dog's coat helps to protect his skin from the sun and provides insulation from the heat. Since dogs don't sweat to cool themselves (the way people do), they don't need exposed skin to stay cool.

However, your pet's coat must be well groomed for it to serve its purpose. Regular brushing and combing to maintain the coat are important during the spring and summer months. If your dog is badly matted or tangled, their coat may actually trap the heat and humidity close to the skin, adding to their discomfort.

Shaving double-coated breeds like Golden Retrievers, German Shepards and Shelties does NOT keep them cooler. Their undercoat helps protect them from the elements. By shaving them down you destroy all natural protective properties their coats offer them. You also increase the chances of bug bites, sunburns and other skin irritations.

Removing dead undercoat will help keep them cooler. Bringing your double-coated breed into a salon for a professional undercoat removal prior to departure is the best way to help them feel comfortable.

2) TRAVEL CRATES: Since your pet will spend most of their travel time inside of their travel crate, it is very important that you do the following:

A) Crate Training: The #1 most important step in the process! Please make sure you give as much time as possible for your pet to acclimate to their travel crate.

B) One Size Up! : When traveling during the summer months, it is recommended to purchase a travel kennel that is One Size UpӔ from your current crate. This will allow for maximum air circulation & ventilation.

C) 4 Sides of Ventilation: Every travel crate must be ventilated on ALL FOUR SIDES of the crate. If your travel crate does not have holes on the back, you can drill them in. Depending on the size of your pet, we recommend that you drill even rows of holes, about 5 holes across and 5 rows down at the least. Please make sure the holes are as big as possible, without the pets nose sticking through.

D) Water Dishes: It is best to get the deepest possible dishes you can for your relocating pet. Please make sure that you freeze the water in each dish, prior to your pet being picked up. This will ensure the water stays in those dishes for as long as possible. Please remember to include the funnels on the outside door, above each water dish, to help with the delivery of water.

E) Bedding: Please make sure that you do not insert thick padded bedding into your pets travel crates. Although this will allow for maximum comfort, it will also create a layer of warmth that increases with the thicker bedding. A crate pad can be purchased that does not have extra lining.

F) Accessories: Such items as Crate Fans are recommended, but we cannot promise their use after airport staff has seen them. Many airport workers will allow for such items to be used, however it is also a security violation to have such a ґbattery operated device on the petsҒ travel crates. It is worth the try, so please do go out and purchase a Crate Fan if your pet is traveling long distances.

These crate fans are purchased at most pet stores, however the cheapest one we have seen can be bought online at:

https://www.petsuppliesdelivered.com

You can then search for Item #06550

Happy Pet Travels!