We’re slowly seeing COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions easing across the world. After over a year of living on pause, your feet must be itching for a change of scenery. There’s no doubt that your dog feels the same.
While it’s still impossible to travel as you did in the before time, there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel. So, if you’re looking to plan a trip with your pup to give you both something to look forward to, let’s explore some tips for staying safe and avoiding the common pitfalls of post-COVID vacationing.
Choosing Your Destination
It’s possible to fly overseas for some people today. Still, if you’re not solo adventuring, be careful while picking your destination.
Transcontinental flights, if at all possible, are still better to avoid. Plus, even if international travel is an option, you’ll have to bend over backward to find a pet-friendly airline.
What’s more, if an outbreak happens and flights stop, you might not be able to return home. That’s an inconvenience in itself, but the trouble doubles when you have a pet onboard.
Ideally, take your furry friend to a destination close to home. If you’re crossing borders, stick to the car. Wherever you go, rent a home instead of staying in a hotel to avoid contact with too many people.
Dogs and Coronavirus
You can’t put a surgical mask on your dog’s face or get them a vaccine. However, you’ll be happy to hear that the risks are low.
Dogs can test positive for coronavirus, but the cases are few, isolated, and asymptomatic.
Moreover, there’s been no evidence so far that dogs can transmit the coronavirus back to humans. Theoretically, you could catch it from the fur, but the porousness of the surface significantly lowers the chances.
Social Distancing
Even with the dangers close to non-existent for your dog to catch the virus, keep social distancing in mind. That way, you’ll make sure that the fur, collars, and leashes stay safe and clean.
It’s no longer enough to get a leash. Luckily, there’s a lot of equipment to bridge that gap. Check Furry Friend Gear to find a carrier for a lively breed that likes running around the park, or get a harness to keep it near you at all times.
In essence, as long as your puppy follows the same rules you do around other people, you should be good to go.
Besides exercising dogs to walk after proper hygiene, enduring safety distance when in contact with kids, and practising cleaning ingredients on them, wearing masks is also essential when going outside. It seems challenging to put masks on a dog’s face. But stylish and logo-printed bandanas or neck gaiter offered by 4inbandana is the compensable solution to consider.
Outdoor Dining
Cafes and restaurants are seeing the light of day again, too. The temptation to have a delicious, professionally-made meal for you and your puppy is strong.
Some parts of the world restrict pets in restaurants by default, but others are more aloof or even feel like pets add to the overall atmosphere. Keep the conditions in mind and reconsider that privilege, though.
The coronavirus transmission is much more likely indoors. So, if it’s cold and windy outside, skip the little diner. If it’s warm and sunny and there’s a garden in front of it, though, it’s reasonably safe to have a seat and order the meal you’ve been craving for the past year.
Planning Ahead
Finally, dedicate some extra time to planning before you book a trip. Consider the following aspects:
- Pet shots for safe travel.
- Vet clinics that take walk-ins.
- Pet-friendly, restriction-compliant accommodation.
- Outdoor activities and locations.
Expect the unexpected, too, as the industry is still unstable due to the last year. You can go on vacation with your dog in a post-COVID world, but it’ll take a while for everything to go back to seamlessness.
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Related Categories: Pets & Animals, Health, Reviews, Travel
