Tips

Hiking with your dog

Many fans are going to enjoy the mountain but also going with your pets is priceless. Some routes a day and then secondly a whole week. Our Veterinarian goes often with her dog. So here you have some guidelines for you to follow and enjoy the start to your pet.

1 Documentation

Whenever you leave your dog with you to carry your documents with microxip and appropiate vaccinations stamped by an official veterinarian. If you leave the country ask to the the embassy of that country what you need to travel with your dog (passport, health certificates, rabies serology …). If you go on a plane, you should ask to the airline company aswell.

We recommend that you to put a nameplate necklace is very useful in case of loss may be faster than the microxip. At night you can also put a light flashes to see in the dark.

2 harness, collar, leash

If you take place to get the car the animal can not go free the vehicle, should go and not be subjected to the front seats. You can go:

     transported in the back seats,
     with separation behind bars fixed or
     with special seatbelt for dogs that binds to a harness (never to the necklace).

If the animal needs medication to travel go to see your vet to evaluate the drug most appropriate in each case. It is important to stop approximately every 2-3 hours because the dog hydrated and stretch your legs, but you must make sure it is tied down before the car to avoid accidents. Remember to never stop animal locked inside the car in summer, could take a dangerous heatstroke!

Even if your dog is always by your side you will have to carry a leash to tie it in case of necessity or obligation. We must not disturb other hikers and keep an eye to the animal at all times. If there is another mountain dog (or any wild animal) by the way be sure to avoid fights. I recommend multi-position straps that can be placed at the waist or hung on the shoulder, so you can keep your hands free at all times.

3 Food and water

Hydration is very important especially during activity and warm moments. Although going to an area where you think there is water in rivers and lakes bring spare water. Remember that the water of rivers and lakes there may be parasites that can affect you will also (zoonoses). There are bottles adapted to the dogs when the bottle itself has a cover that makes drinking. But there are troughs waterproof bags that folds and weigh little. If it’s hot you can wet especially in the area of belly

The more activity they expend more energy by consuming foods that require highly energetic. What I recommend is to take away or eat puppy food for dogs high energy performance. Calculate the food you need for hours and find that you are outside activity probably eat 1.5 times the day you eat every day.

4 Clothing and footwear

Watch the weather conditions of the area where you will travel. There are dogs adapted to extreme climates (eg St. Bernard breed dogs tolerate the cold very well), but there are dogs in these conditions might get cold (like greyhounds). You must know the characteristics of your dog to determine whether or not you need some coat.

During the day the animal remains active and probably will not need to be covered. But if the temperature is below 10ºC or have to spend a night is recommended tindre’n. There are many brands and colors but personally I recommend you look for the most suited and comfortable for your dog. Version sport coats are the most comfortable and I like the most are those with fleece on the inside and the outside are slightly waterproof with reflective strips. For soft rains were good and protects it from cold temperatures. I strongly recommend putting a waterproof coat over the animal because probably end up wetting the fleece.

Many climbers spend the night … night in shelters or outdoors. Many shelters do not let dogs (call and inform yourselfs before goine) but you can ask if there is an area with a porch for the dog can hide. During the night keep you dog tied on a leash to keep him safe of the electrified fences (which usually protect the wildlife refuge) or escaping. For extra protection from the cold-bags are waterproof sleeping bags ideal for protect from cold temperatures. The downside is the weight and volume of these.

If you bring your tent and let the dog inside take blankets or sleeping bags for small children depending on the size of your family and so do not get cold. But when it rains and the dog gets wet make sure you dry him well before bedtime because is not very nice to sleep with moisture. We searched many tents for dogs but we have not found any that can be adapted to our tastes are too big and heavy and you think that you have to load it all up and you want to carry the weight! If you find any’ll let us know.

Speaking of weight … I recommend especially if you have a large breed dog you buy a saddle. They are ideal for a load of their stuff. I usually will put food or water since you can easily balance so that the bags are not grave. If the dog is not used to do it bit by bit and at first without weight. Then put a balanced weight gradually (no more than 10-20% of their total weight according to each dog) and stimulus awards. The saddle should never be placed in the center of the animal since it only has support column but on the shoulders. Ask how to the store.

Shoes … This also depends on the type of dog and the type of substrate you go. The strength of the plantar pads depends on each dog and that you just know you can. As for substrate I recommend:

Snow -> boots nylon to avoid burns by direct contact with the ice. The problem is that they cannot use theyr nails to fix to the floor
Rock -> boots with rubber sole.

If the dog is not used to wear shoes can be worse sometimes the solution to the problem so I recommend that you practice with shoes a few weeks before!

There are also ointments and protective pads traffickers applied before and after the activity. They are very practical and no annoying !!

5 Dog Kit first aid

Basic equipment because we limit the weight.

          adhesive bandages,
          gauze
          disinfectant (iodine or chlorhexidine)
          tweezers (if any nails spine)
          Medication: talk to your vet

Remember not to give medications like ibuprofen, gelocatil, or aspirin they are toxic!!

6 Other materials or recommendations

There are many other dog sports equipment such as harnesses for climbing harnesses Pirena jackets, reflective vests, jackets moisturizing …

If your dog already has pipette and collar desparasitants, but you are going to an area where there are probably many parasites, we recommend that you spray the legs especially with some extra spray dewormed. Do not want fleas or ticks on your family! And do not forget the internal parasite especially if your dog eats poop or drink from lakes.

Avoid leaving your pet’s stool in the middle of the road. Pull the meters of the trail and river.

After the Trip

Make sure that your animal is not injured, lame or has plants or attached to hair. Brush it and look for parasites such as fleas or ticks.

Have to look good feet (between fingers and paws) and ears of the animals at the end of the day especially in areas where there are spikes which are very dangerous and are stuck between the toes.

You can bathe your pet with special shampoos

If you encounter any problems take it to the clinic to resolve it as early as possible. Vomiting, diarrhea, decay, watery or red eyes, head tild, pain, lameness, itching, excessive excitement … are symptoms of health problems. Call us on 93 119 66 53 and ask for a visit.

Hopefully this article will encourage them to bring animals to the mountains or at least you’ll have some doubts clarified. If you have more concerns feel free to write an email to info@veterinariageneral.com and we will be happy to answer you. If you need a specific product have a catalog with all kinds of material.

Greetings and adventure!

Dr.. Nausica Cornadó Pascual, veterinary collegiate

Clínica Veterinària General de Barberà