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Campsite doggy Do’s and Don’ts

Travelling with your dog can make your getaway even more enjoyable as you get to see the world through their eyes, experience their excitement, plus you don’t have to miss them while you’re away!

KELLY ZAMMIT has some tips to make your trip easier and more relaxing for all.

Do’s:

• Make sure your dog’s microchipping details are current as it will be hard for him or her to find their way home if they gets lost. It’s also a good idea to put a collar on with an identification tag listing your mobile number.

• Update your dog’s flea and worming treatment, and find out whether you are travelling to an area where tick prevention is recommended.

• Pack enough of your dog’s regular food to last the whole trip plus a couple of extra days in case of emergency. Otherwise you could end up buying pet food from the nearest convenience store that may upset his gut. Diarrhoea or flatulence is definitely not what you want when travelling in the car with your dog.

• Invest in a good quality tether and lead for your dog so that he can be contained to your camping area when you need him to be; for example when you are busy cooking dinner and another dog walks by.

• Find out the location and phone number of the nearest vet to your campsite.

• Pack a doggy first aid kit containing bandaging material, betadine, small nail scissors, tweezers, Rescue Remedy for treating shock, probiotics for gut upsets and antihistamines for insect bites. If your dog is on medication, make sure you
pack enough plus some extra just in case.

• Keep your dog on lead in camping grounds and always pick up waste and dispose of it in a bin. This may seem unnecessary in the bush, but dog poo contains nutrients such as phosphates that our Australian native plants do not like;
therefore. By leaving waste you create patches of soil where weeds will out-compete the native plants.

• Remember to pack a water and feed bowl; collapsible bowls are available.

• Pack some of favourite toys.

• Bring some of your dog’s own bedding but make sure it is waterproof and has enough padding to provide comfort if he’s sleeping on the ground.

• Bring a few extra old towels, even if you’re not expecting your dog to get wet.

Don’t’s:

• Let your dog bark as this will make you unpopular with your camping neighbours.

• Let your dog forget his manners and investigate other people’s campsites uninvited, particularly when they’re cooking or eating dinner.

• Feed your dog too many leftover sausages from the barbie as this can cause diarrhoea and at worst can lead to a serious case of pancreatitis.

• Let your dog go wandering through the bush on his own as he may encounter some dangerous wildlife, or conversely he could hurt a defenceless native animal.

• Forget to bring your dog’s warm coat for those cold nights out in the open; another good investment for summer camping is a cooling vest to keep your dog’s body temperature down and prevent heatstroke.

If you keep these things in mind when taking your dog away with you, it will make the trip more enjoyable for all!Kelly Zammit is a veterinarian at All Natural Pet Care, Russell Lea NSW www.naturalvet.com.au

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