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It’s the summertime scenario in every dog owners mind.
You’re driving an open stretch of highway,the countryside passing on either side of the road. Maybe your family is with you and there is Fido in the back seat; face planted happily out of the slightly open window trying to catch air with his mouth. And while a road trip with your dog can be fun for the whole family, there are precautions that you should take to ensure that Fido is happy and stays healthy in your new mobile home.

Your Dog in the Heat

Imagine wearing a fur coat year round. While it might come in handy during the winter months, just try picture how cumbersome it might be on a bright, sunny summer day. With a normal body temperature of 100-102 degrees, dogs are hotter creatures than us and do not expel heat as we do.
Dogs sweat mainly through their mouths by panting but also through the pads on the bottom of their paws. While driving make sure the temperature is comfortable for your furry friend.

• If your dog is crated in your vehicle, roll the windows down and let fresh air in. If that’s not cooling the enough, put the air conditioner on. And if you’re stopped and leaving the dog in his crate, make sure that there is enough air filtering through the car either through an open back hatch or open windows.

• If the dog is not crated, windows should be open but not enough for the dog to escape. A good rule of thumb is to open the window a minimum of 2-3 inches from the top. If you don’t crate your dog and plan on a road trip, there are actually screens you can buy that hook into the car window area to prevent your dog from escaping while you have it fully opened.

And whether or not your dog is crated, remember to park in the shade keeping in mind that sometimes, shade is not enough. If it’s a hot, muggy day, chances are there won’t be a breeze cool enough to keep Fido from overheating.

Just like their human counterparts, dogs can be affected by heat stroke and in a hot car dogs can die from heatstroke within 20 minutes.

Also remember to keep your pet hydrated. A small water cooler with ice in it can do the trick. If your dog is crated, there are water bottles you can purchase to attach to the crate for him.

When you stop for a potty break, remember that Fido has to go too. So instead of leaving him in his crate when parked, take him on a leash to stretch his legs and let him relieve himself.

Keep your pup safe in your truck

While road trips are a lot of fun, it’s important to remember Fido’s comfort for the type of vehicle you have. Maybe you don’t have a car or SUV but instead a pick-up truck. The potential dangers of your pup riding in the flatbed are endless and at least 8 states currently have laws requiring that a dog is properly restrained while riding in the back of a pick-up truck. A crate properly secure is one of your best bet.

Most of all, remember to have fun with Fido! Leaving him in his crate or the car the entire time defeats the purpose of having him there. Take him for long walks, play catch and allow him to take part in your vacation! After all, it is his vacation too.