10 Essentials for Easter Vacation with your Dog

Easter is quickly approaching, and here in Norway where I live, that equals long skiing trips and a lot of time spent outdoors. It also means that we go away from home, to relatives living far up north or to a cottage in the mountains. And of course we bring our canine companions with us, so here comes a list of the 10 most essential things you will need for your Easter vacation (or skiing trip) with your dog:

1. Harness and elastic leash

Link in his Non-Stop dogwear harness.

 Many people want's their dog to pull them when they go skiing with the dog. This is called skijoring and is really fun, at least as long as you have taught your dog some basic obedience and commands like "stop", "slower", "right", "left" and "go". Just imagine how uncomfortable it must be for the dog to pull you wearing a collar or a harness not made for pulling. Make sure you have the right equipment, and the ski trip will be fun for both you and your dog.

2. Socks and Paw cream

Link wearing socks before a walk.

 To avoid sore paws and snow and ice sticking to your dog's paws, always use a paw cream when you are outdoors with your dogs for any longer periods of time. This will make sure your dog doesn't get sore feet and that dirt and ice won't get stuck between the pads causing discomfort for the dog.
To protect your dog's paws even more, or if you see that the paws are a bit sore already, use socks. This will shield them from further wear and like the paw cream, keep the paws clean and free from ice. There are several kinds dog socks on the market. Just make sure that the socks you use don't have seems on the inside, as it may cause chafing on your dog's paws. Also make sure that the sock isn't to tight. You don't want to restrict blood flow to your dog's paws! Always check your dog's paws regularly when it has socks on to make sure they aren't doing more harm than good.'

4. Eye drops

This is a sign that your dog has an eye infection. You can try using normal moisturizing eye drops, but if the problem persists you have to take the dog to the vet.

 Eye drops to prevent the dog's eyes from getting dry. When out all day in the snow, with possible cold wind and bright light, your dog's eyes can become dry and irritated. This can lead to infections and inflammation of the eye. Just use normal moisturizing eye drops that you find at the pharmacy. If in doubt about if a certain type can be used on your dog, ask your veterinarian.

5. Bandage material

Link's front paws had to be bandaged after he had been out playing in icy snow at the cottage. Two of his claws were worn down so much they were bleeding.

 If your dog gets hurt during your vacation, you might well find yourself far away from the nearest veterinarian. At this point you will just have to make do with what you have, and if you have prepared and brought some bandage material you can help your dog right away. Now, I'm not saying that you don't have to go to the vet if your dog gets hurt, of course you do. But until you get there your dog will not be able to lick or bite at the wound or get dirt in it, if you've put a bandage on.

6. High energy snacks

You should never just go from no or little activity, to a lot of activity with anyone, dog or human. So make sure that if you are going skijoring with your dog that the dog is in shape to do it. If you are in doubt if your dog is healthy enough, get it checked by the vet. That being said, you will very likely be a lot more active with your dog during Easter than you have been for a while. That means that the dog is going to need some extra energy. Always bring some high energy snacks with you. There are ready made snacks that you can buy or you can just make some yourself. Also if your dog does not eat snow, make sure you offer it water to drink.

7. Food for dogs with sensitive stomachs

 All the time spent outdoors with your dog is going to give the dog plenty of opportunities to eat stuff that it finds (and most likely shouldn't eat). This means that your dog might get an upset stomach. The increased activity can have much the same effect. And again you might find yourself far away from the nearest veterinarian or even food store. While you can boil rice and skinless chicken breasts and feed to your dog in small portions, I find it much easier to use some of the pre-prepared diets that you find at the vet. I for my sake never go on trips with my dog without bringing some cans of i/d from Hill's .

8. Probiotics

 I swear to probiotics. Whether you are changing your dog's diet, the dog is on antibiotics or your dog just has a sensitive stomach, probiotics always help. I use something called Zoolac, that contains "good" bacteria and "food" for them, which balances the intestinal bacterial flora. It basically cannot be overdosed, since all that will happen if you give the dog much more than it needs, is that it will have even more of the "good" bacteria. I'm not sure Zoolac is sold anywhere else than in northern Europe, but I'm sure that your local veterinarian has a similar product. 

9. Clothing - coverall for the longhaired dog. Warming jackets for shorthaired dogs.

My boyfriend's sister's dachshund wearing a winter jacket last Easter.

 If you have a long haired dog (and live somewhere where there is a lot of snow), you have probably experienced your dog being almost covered in big snow balls. This is not pleasant for the dog and can be prevented if you use a water repellant coverall on your dog. If you on the other hand have a short haired dog, it is likely to get cold when out in the snow, even if the sun has really started warming now. For shorthaired dogs I would recommend a warming jacket or coat.

10. Sunglasses

 To protect the eyes of your dog you might want to consider using sunglasses on your dog. The suns rays are as damaging to the dog's eyes as they are to yours. There are a number of different products on the market when it comes to protecting your dog's eye. Everything from stylish sunglasses to mesh goggles.