By Julie Knapp
March 1, 2010

If you’re fleeing to warmer weather for vacation, don’t forget your furry friend might not appreciate the bump in temperature the way you do. Dogs traveling by plane will have little time to adjust to the sudden change, warns veterinarian Deb Eldredge, author of Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook, who has taken her dogs to warmer spots in the spring many times.

Some dog owners remove undercoats or shave their dogs to help regulate heat, but it’s not a good idea if you’ll return to the cold in a week or two. Concentrate on keeping your pet cool and hydrated. This means extra water for car trips and walkies, a small fan if you’re unsure of the air conditioning at the hotel, and cool pads to lie on.

Reduce or reschedule exercise to avoid the hottest part of the day – between 10am and 2pm. If you’ve been taking a brisk two-mile walk at 10am, switch to a one-mile walk at 7am. If you’ll be driving, make sure the air conditioning air vents near your dog are open, and never leave him in the car even with the windows down.

A spritz from a spray bottle of cool water can help cool your pet off without a dunking… but a splash on the beach often works just as well.