Knowing how to take care of your dog is important. To help you, we’ve put together lots of information on everything from grooming and paw care to tips on looking after your dog's teeth.
Travelling with your dog or puppy
For most dogs, a car journey is a fantastic adventure. But for some, it can be a terrifying and thoroughly uncomfortable experience. So how do you reach your destination with a safe, contented canine passenger?
Preparations
The first essential is a collar and ID tag – a legal requirement. And a microchip implant will help reunite you if your dog loses their collar.
If you’re planning a long journey and your dog’s a nervous traveller, have them checked over by your vet first. Ask about sedatives – the vet may be able to prescribe one that you can administer.
Car travel
If your dog gets travel sick, don’t feed them less than an hour before you set off. And be extra careful when braking, accelerating and going round steep bends.
Dogs aren’t allowed in the front of the car, but can sit on the back seat or in the boot of a hatchback or estate car. Small dogs can be transported in a pet carrier, which can be strapped to the seat. Larger dogs can wear a harness that attaches to the seat belt, or you can use a crate or a gate to keep them from getting out of the boot area. This is partly to keep you and your dog safe in case of an accident, and partly so that your dog doesn't distract you when you're driving.
Never leave your dog alone in the car - dogs can’t control their temperatures by sweating like we can, and it can quickly get fatally hot in a stationary car.
Air travel
If you’re going abroad, contact your vet as early as possible to find out about vaccinations, health certificates and a dog passport.
When travelling by air, ask the airline in advance about its rules for dog transport. Your dog will travel in the cargo hold in a specially designed crate, and you’ll have to arrive extra early for your flight.
