The number of people traveling with their pets is on the rise as more and more hotels, resorts and rental homes become “pet friendly,†making pet safety an important consideration when you are away from home. If your pet will be joining you on your next vacation, here are some ways you can protect them and avoid an expensive visit to an out-of-town vet.
Water Safety
Many dogs love the water and will jump in eagerly on a hot day. However, not all dogs are natural swimmers and some water settings make it difficult for a dog to climb out.  Remember that it’s ultimately the responsibility of each pet owner to keep their animals safe when they’re by a pool, beach or lake. To prevent an accidental drowning or injury, take a look at these tips and portable water safety products for pets.
Be a Lifeguard
Supervision and training are the best ways to keep your pet safe around the water. Never leave your pet alone by an uncovered pool or open water.
Life Jackets Save LivesÂ
One of the easiest ways to protect pets around water is to have them wear a life jacket, especially if your pet is older or a non-swimmer. Pet life jackets provide extra buoyancy to prevent fatigue and panic. Most come in bright colors to make pets more visible in the water and are equipped with an easy-to-grab handle for quick rescues.
Dog Ladder Provides an Escape RouteÂ
The doggy boat ladder provides your pet with an easy exit out of the water and back aboard, reducing the risk of seriously strained or injured joints. Â This unique dog boat ramp can be attached and removed in seconds and includes a universal grip that fits almost all boat ladders with three or more steps.
Pack a Pool Alarm
 The popular Safety Turtle Water Immersion Alarm used to protect children can also be used to protect pets, even when traveling. Just slip a special pet collar attachment onto your pet’s collar and you’ll hear an immediate, continuous alert as soon as your dog enters the water. (Note that this alarm work best in fresh or chlorinated water, but it can also be used in salt water in conjunction with a life jacket.)
Outdoor Safety
Pets are more likely to wander off and get lost when they are in an unfamiliar place. Fortunately, the latest innovations in pet safety make it easy to keep pets from straying and help you find them quickly if they do get lost.
Wireless Fences – the Portable BarrierÂ
A wireless fence is the pet barrier you can take with you wherever you go. Wireless fences use a base station that transmits a radio signal which forms an invisible circular boundary. The radio signal is picked up by a receiver collar worn by the dog. When the dog gets too close to the boundary, the collar emits a warning tone. If the dog crosses the boundary, he receives a static correction. Use your wireless fence on the road and at home too – you only need to invest in one system.
Share Their Adventures
See the world through your pet’s eyes with a miniature video camera that attaches to their collar and films their adventures! This unique pet video cam captures up to two-and-a-half hours of vacation fun from your pet’s perspective. The plug-and-play feature makes it simple to watch what your furry friend has been up to. Kids will love it!
Temperature Safety
Most pets are affected by temperature extremes and dogs are particularly susceptible to heat stroke. Protect them on hot days by taking them for walks in the morning or late afternoon when the air is cooler and less humid and never ever leave pets in a locked car, even if the windows are cracked.
Prevent Heat Exhaustion on Hot Days
On very hot days, it is best to leave pets indoors with the AC on rather than dragging them around with you. For peace-of-mind knowing that they are resting comfortably back at the hotel, use a temperature and humidity wireless alert system to get email or text message alerts of fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels.
