Have you already planned your summer vacation with your dog? Regardless of whether you are going on vacation with a dog for the first time or you already have plenty of experience - summer vacations bring special challenges every year. You should plan carefully, especially for the high temperatures that are expected - this applies to the comfort of the animal as well as to feeding. We answer the question of whether BARF works on the go, what alternatives there are and what else you need to consider when going on a summer vacation with your dog.
BARF on the go: Can it work?
Does BARF work on a summer holiday with a dog? That depends entirely on the scenario. If the BARF meat can be kept cool for the duration of the transport and if there is a freezer available on site, for example in a holiday home, feeding BARF when travelling can certainly work. It is more difficult if you are going on a longer trip or are camping - then there are often no adequate cooling options for several kilograms of raw meat. We have already presented the alternatives in our article on BARF on holiday . From freeze-dried meat for dogs to canned meat, there are fortunately various BARF alternatives - although the issue is certainly more acute in high temperatures in summer. The closest thing to being able to feed BARF on the go in summer is certainly freeze-dried meat. This can even be rehydrated by adding water and is therefore closer to classic BARF than any other feeding method. Freeze-dried meat is also relatively insensitive to temperature and, depending on the size of the dog, each pack contains enough energy for one to two daily portions of conventional meat. This means that species-appropriate nutrition is also ensured when you go on a summer holiday with your dog!
Summer vacation with dog: this is also important
What else should be on the list for a summer holiday with a dog? There are a few obligations, especially in the administrative area. If you are going abroad, for example, you must take the EU pet passport and vaccination certificate with you. In any case, it is worth looking at the vaccination certificate again a few weeks before departure and comparing the vaccinations listed there with those required in the destination country. Health insurance for the dog can also be useful when travelling.
Otherwise, of course, everything that the dog needs in everyday life is included: a familiar (transport) basket, toys, a leash and harness, bowls, enough dog treats and poop bags. The collar or harness should also have the home address or another address for the holiday clearly written on it. In some cases, the destination country may also require the dog to wear a muzzle - this is not always pleasant for the dog, but in this case it is unfortunately unavoidable. In Italy, for example, a leash and muzzle must always be carried, and in Portugal it is even mandatory to wear a muzzle. If you go hiking a lot on holiday, a mobile dog bowl is often very helpful.
To travel
If your dog doesn't like traveling in the car, taking breaks on long journeys is a good idea. Every few hours, every dog should be allowed to run around, relax and do its business if possible. If you usually travel a lot by bus and train, you should consider renting a car, at least for longer journeys. Traveling by car with regular breaks is still much less stressful than a train journey or even a flight, where the dog is often stuck alone in the transport box for hours.
The dog should also be able to drink fresh water and have the opportunity to retreat to a cool corner. This is also important for temperature control. When camping, a corner of the tent or caravan is a good option.
With these tips, you and your four-legged friend will be well prepared for a summer vacation with your dog. Enjoy the summer with your dog!
