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In the old days, many explorers set out with their own entourage. Of course, it wasn’t about the huge, air-conditioned buses then. It was a barge crew, a covered wagon train, or sizeable family trips. Each group carried its own livestock to provide for its food and dietary needs. Dogs were frequently members of the first settler’s entourages. They pulled double duty by protecting and hunting.

Today taking a dog on a trip is a totally different story. Our family pet travels with us simply because he/she’s a part of the family.

Preparing Your Pet for the Journey
At least ten days prior to the trip, your dog should have a complete physical as well as a vaccination update which must include Bordatella for kennel cough. The veterinarian should also check to make sure your dog is not suffering from other annoying problems such as hookworms, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, leishmaniasis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Prevention is very important so even if your dog does not have fleas, he could always get them in the country so you have to act proactively to discourage this. If your dog already has fleas or ticks, you should most definitely use medicated treatments to get rid of them before the family trip. Just like fleas, ticks also cause diseases so you are wise to rid yourself of both parasites.

If you are going hiking on the trip, make sure your dog is in shape and up to long walks. Daily walks around you neighborhood will help prepare him for the trip. If your dog is less than 24 months, a long hike may not be a good idea for him.

Before leaving, your dog should also have a bath and a nail and grooming treatment. The nail treatment will make sure the dog cannot chew up the car when he is bored or antsy.

Traveling with your pet is quite common. It’s also a bit confusing. Before you travel with your pet, you should be aware of certain things.

Many airlines accommodate pets but not all of them. Those that do allow pets have specific requirements which may differ from other airlines so don’t assume that Delta Airlines has the same policy as Jet Blue Airlines. You should check with the airline on its pet airlines travel policy.

If you plan on carrying a small pet onboard the airplane with you, it must be kept in an approved pet carrier the entire trip. If dealing with the whole pet carrier issue is a little too much for you, you can always find a company to handle the transportation arrangements for you. Many of these companies can be found on the Internet.

Before you head to the airport, you pet should have already practiced spending extended hours in the crate. This preparation should have begun three weeks ago, and now your dog should be ready to travel.

If your dog has any special needs, be sure to include those securely attached to the carrier. Pets should be fed 4 to 5 hours before they fly, and they should be given mineral water 2 hours before the departure. The mineral water will help prevent dehydration.

Some dogs get really antsy during flights. In this case, you might want to ask your veterinarian for a mild sedative for your dog. As soon as your flight is over, you should let your dog stretch his legs and use the bathroom.

After his trip, your pet may also be ready for water and food so make sure you have some handy in one of your carry on bags. If your pet did well on his flight, be sure and reward him.

Washing your dog at home can turn out to be one big mess. With do-it-yourself dog washes, you pay a small fee, wash your dog, and leave the clean-up to the experts.

Before you get to washing, here are a few tips to make the experience a little easier:

• Don’t fill the tub with too much water. Three to four inches of warm water should be enough to make your dog feel comfortable.
• Add a drop of baby oil to your dog’s eyes to reduce shampoo irritation.
• Wet the dog from head to tail, making sure not to get water in his eyes.
• Be conservative with the shampoo. Apply a small amount of shampoo to the dog’s head and lather toward the tail.
• Make sure you hold on to your dog, as he’ll likely want to shake the lather off.
• Never hold a dryer too close to your dog’s face.
• Remember, shaking and trembling are common reactions by dogs while being washed.

Traveling with pets is much more fun than it once was.  In the past, hotels merely tolerated your furry friend—and they may have stuffed you in a smoking room on the top floor, far away from other guests.

Not anymore! Countless hotels now offer special packages to pamper your pet, with as many amenities for dogs as humans. Pet massages, plush bedding with 300-count sheets, bone china dog bowls—you never know what you’ll find at a luxury hotel now that they’re competing for Fido’s business.

According to MSNBC, a recent survey revealed that 56 percent of pet-owning American’s travel with their cat or dog—and almost half of people who leave their pet at home when traveling report feelings of guilt.

But why such opulence—and during a recession, no less? Andrea Arden, pet expert for the Today show explains, “With the economy in bad shape, people cut back on their own luxuries, but not on their pets. For many, indulging their pet is more rewarding than indulging themselves.”

Dr. Ian Yeoman, a futurologist specializing in tourism, suggests the industry needs a radical strategy for the future, and luxury pet tourism may be the way to go. Mexico’s exclusive Las Ventanas al Paraiso, Dr. Yeoman points out, offers a special pet program and menu that rivals the program for human guests; and business is booming. Not a bad strategy considering the decline in global air travel and overall industry slump.

Whether you opt for a posh resort or a budget hotel, remember the phrase “pet-friendly” has taken on a whole new meaning. Even at a Howard Johnson, you just may get a late-night knock on the door offering turndown service for Fluffy.

What is heartgard for dogs? Heartgard is a medication that dogs can take twice a month in order to prevent the awful heartworm. Like many other dog medications, it comes in beef format (chewable tabs), so your dog will see it as a treat and love it.

While Heartgard’s primary product is for heartworm, there are also two similar products that they offer that protect against hookworms and roundworms. Those products are in the Heartgard for dogs “plus” version.

You might be wondering how common heartworm actually is, especially if you have a new dog, or are a new dog owner. The fact is, it’s very common and can happen to any dog at any time. First of all, mosquitoes can lay their larvae in the dog’s skin, and that’s how heartworm is developed in the first place. So if you live in area with lots of mosquitoes, or any at all (don’t we all), then for sure you are going to need to get a prevention program going for your dog against heartworm. Heartgard for dogs cures this and prevents it.

One step you should do at first before having your dog take Heartgard, is to go the vet and make sure that your dog does not already have heartworms. The vet will test your pet, and then you can think of dog Heartgard for the prevention program.

There are of course many different ways to get your dog Heartgard medication, and lots of people order it online. One thing to keep in mind is that no matter what kind of breed your dog is, it can be safe and effective for it to take Heartgard.

In conclusion, Heartgard for dogs is something that you are going to need to seriously consider when trying to prevent your dog from getting heartworm. Your dog is your dependant and it is up to you to make sure they stay healthy and live a strong and vital life. Go to the vet, get your dog tested for heartworm and then get it on a prevention program like Heartgard medication.

As we mentioned in a previous post, you should make a checklist of everything you’ll need when traveling with your pet. In case you don’t know where to start, here’s a detailed list of all the things you may want to have on hand:

• Kennel or pet carrier and comfortable bedding. Many hotels will require you to crate your dog when you leave the room. Be sure to ask in advance so you follow all procedures.

• Leash, collar, ID tags, harness, clean-up bags. If your dog is small you may not need a harness; but you’ll want to bring everything you usually bring on your daily walk—including an extra leash in case your first one breaks.

• Bowls, food, can opener for canned foods, water. To avoid any digestive issues, you should stick to the same diet your dog’s accustomed to. Even the water in a new city may create problems for your pet. It wouldn’t hurt to bring along bottled water for the trip.

• Toys and treats. Traveling can be stressful for animals that aren’t used to new environments. Having some of the comforts of home on-hand will ease the process.

• Grooming supplies. Include a brush, nail clippers, and shampoo—or the number of a good local groomer.

• Stain remover and cleaning supplies. Most hotels require a deposit to cover damage to your room. Remove stains before they set and you’ll avoid unnecessary charges.

• Medications, vaccination records, an animal first-aid kid, and information for the local veterinarian. You want to take every precaution to ensure your pet’s health while traveling—including preparing for an emergency.

• A recent photo. Hopefully your dog will be safe and sound for the duration of the trip. If for some reason he gets lost, you’ll want a photo to help others locate him.

It’s not just your carbon footprint that you have to consider. How your pet interacts with the environment is just as important. Greening your pet is a simple process that requires just a few small changes to your daily routine.

Start off on the right foot by adopting. Pet breeders make a career out of raising and selling purebred animals for profit. Skip the middleman and adopt one of the thousands of puppies and kittens at the SPCA waiting to find a new home.

Go organic. The standard pet food available at the local grocery store is classified as “4-D”, which stands for Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Down (Disabled). Translation? Basic pet food is made from the waste of the beef and poultry industry. In comparison, certified-organic pet foods must meet stringent USDA standards.

Use natural pet products. Avoid all shampoos, conditioners, and grooming products that include ingredients that you can’t pronounce.

Compost your dog and cat poop. Dogs and cats create ten million tons of waste a year- waste that ends up in trash cans around the country. If you have a backyard, consider burying an old garbage bin to use for pet waste. Make sure to keep the bin at a distance from any vegetable gardens.

Make your own catnip. Grab scraps of fabric and a few pieces of yarn. Then, purchase catnip in bulk and go to town! Your creations will be awesome homemade treats for your cat, without all of the packaging and wasteful plastic.