Diet and Exercise on the Road
By Beverly Eschberger
The summer months are a time when you will probably want to take your dog on an extended road trip. Before you jump into your car with your pet, however, there are certain things you will need to keep in mind.
When you are away from home, it is easy to lapse from your usual diet and exercise plan, and for your pet to do the same. Even if you are not consciously watching your weight, traveling provides opportunities to try new foods, deviate from your usual sleeping schedule, and become more or less active than your usual habits. While variety may be the spice of life, it can also lead to an upset stomach or other health problems.
The first thing to keep in mind while traveling is to make certain that both you and your pet drink sufficient water. Although this may result in needing more frequent potty breaks on the road, it will keep both you and your pet well hydrated, and this will help to prevent other health problems while traveling. This is especially important during the summer, as it will help to prevent over-heating. We keep a plastic bottle filled with water in our cooler, so that Clancy always has cool (not cold) water to drink whenever we stop.
If your pet has a sensitive tummy, you can minimize stomach upset by bringing a container of water from home, or by giving your pet bottled water. You can also boil water to break up chemicals or kill any microorganisms that your pet’s tummy is not accustomed to. Even clean tap water has small amounts of microorganisms that vary by location; while your pet’s tummy may be accustomed to the microorganisms in your home water, the microorganisms in your destination can be different enough to upset your pet’s stomach.
You will also want to keep your pet on his usual food while traveling to minimize stomach upset. A change of food can cause diarrhea or constipation at the best of times, but travel is a stressful activity, even when enjoyable, and stress combined with different food can increase the likelihood of stomach upset. It is best to travel with a container of your pet’s usual food, packing enough for the duration of the trip; it’s a good idea to bring extra food, in case your return is delayed, or in case of spills.
If you must change your pet’s food, try to mix a small amount of the new food with the usual food, and allow your pet’s tummy to become accustomed to the new food slowly. This will help to minimize stomach upset. If you are forced to change your pet’s food abruptly, be sure to make more frequent potty breaks during the following days. When you change back to your pet’s usual food, do that slowly as well, and be prepared for constipation or diarrhea.
Feed your pet the same amount of food that he normally eats. You might be tempted to give him extra food if you have been doing a lot of walking, or simply as a treat. But extra food can cause your pet to vomit or have an upset tummy. New treats and snacks should also be minimized; just like new food, they can cause stomach upset.
Like humans, dogs can also become carsick while traveling. Your pet might vomit, or he might just feel queasy while riding in the car. If your pet feels carsick, he might not want to eat or drink anything while riding. If he is not drinking water, try to keep him cool, so he will not become overheated. When your pet begins eating and drinking again, give him small amounts of food and water, as large amounts might cause him to vomit again.
You will also want to stick to your usual schedule as much as possible while you and your pet are traveling. Try to get up and go to bed at the same time as you normally would, and try to eat your meals at the regular times. This will help to minimize stresses while traveling, and will keep both you and your pet from becoming overly tired and minimize the chance of stomach upset. If you and your pet generally take a walk or a run at a certain time of day, take time out of your day while traveling to do so. Keeping to a regular schedule will help to minimize the physical and psychological stresses of traveling.
While traveling, we often want to squeeze in as much sightseeing as possible, and it is possible to overdo the amount of walking that you and your pet do. Instead, you’ll want to start slowly and increase the amount of walking that you do as your vacation progresses. Otherwise, you may find that both you and your pet are too tired and achy for much activity after the first day. If you know that your vacation plans will include a lot of walking with your pet, it is a good idea to increase your activity before your trip, so you are both ready for it during your travels.
A little bit of preparation before your trip can help you and your pet to avoid illness and to enjoy your vacation.
About the Author:
I live with my husband, Everyday Geology editor Geoff Habiger, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. We have three children of the furry variety--two cats, Motley and Nero, and an Irish Setter named Clancy Marie. By day I am a chemist with Abbott Laboratories.
When I am not writing about Paleontology or Travelling with Pets, I like to spend as much time as possible outside, I enjoy hiking, bird-watching, and gardening. I am an avid reader of "just about everything," and I love to visit museums of all types, especially those that feature science and natural history.
My husband and I enjoy travelling to all sorts of different places whenever we get the opportunity, and we like to take Clancy with us.
In addition to writing about science and travelling, I enjoy writing fiction and poetry, and I enjoy combining my love of science education with my love of the literary.
Beverly may be contacted by email at paleoartisans@hotmail.com.
Article courtesy of Suite101.com.
