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Camping With Your Pet: What You Should Know
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For many of us, summer means spending more time in the great outdoors. If you are planning to bring your pets camping, make sure you’ve taken the necessary precautions to ensure they’ll have a fun, yet safe time surrounded by nature. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has created a list of tips to keep you and your furry friends safe from potential dangers this summer.
First Aid First! Before embarking on any adventure, make sure you've prepared a pet-friendly first aid kit. Many campsites are remote and won't have quick access to veterinary care, so having a fully stocked first aid kit could prove to be a life-saver.
Check out the image below for a full list of what your first aid kit should include, and please share it on social media!
For Emergency Situations. Locate the closest emergency veterinarian and save the contact information (either in your phone or address book) for any serious emergencies. Also, be sure to keep the APCC’s number on hand. If you believe your pet ingested something potentially harmful, you can reach the APCC at (888)-426-4435.
Prep Your Pet. Make sure your pets have proper identification tags on their collars. You may want to consider a reflective collar for nighttime.
Don’t forget to bring any medications your pets may need, and keep in mind that because of the close quarters during a camping trip, your pet may be more likely to get into things she shouldn’t. Ensure that any prescriptions are in a childproof container and locked away safely.
Check for Poisons. The APCC gets calls frequently from people whose pets have found rodenticides at campsites. And before taking out a camper or recreational vehicle, be sure to remove any rat poison, mothballs or antifreeze in the toilets.
Take Pet-Proof Precautions. Upon arrival at any campsite, you’ll want to first pet-proof the area. Before letting your pet out, thoroughly inspect the area to make sure other campers haven't left anything potentially dangerous behind. Also ensure that there aren’t any accessible areas where your pets could injure themselves, such as gopher holes or a nearby stream. Be sure to never let your pets roam unsupervised.
Watch Out for Human Snacks. Other well-meaning campers may accidentally "treat" your pet to a toxic food unknowingly. Make sure to keep a close eye on any snacks and reference our full list of people foods to avoid feeding your pet for more information.
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