Road-tripping to the beat of your puppy’s barks. It’s the weekend, you’re packing up to head up north, and you’ve got all your affairs in check — then you realize you might just be forgetting something important. One look at your furry companion, and it hits. Should you bring Scooby (or Garfield) along to the beach? Or would they be better off left at home with loved ones?

Here's the thing — it’s not entirely up to you. When it comes to traveling with your pets, lots of factors come into play. If the stars align and your pet ends up in your passenger seat, here’s everything you need to know before heading out — and when you’re there.

FIRST THINGS FIRST-

Whether or not you should travel with your pet depends on many factors. Most cats are easily stressed out, and are territorial by nature — meaning once they get used to a place, they tend to want to stick with what they know. Cats however have great memories, so if you’ve taken them to your summer home before they will most likely remember it, even if it’s been a couple of years, they will quickly adapt once they get over the road trip.

Dogs are a different story. As a general rule, dogs are less attached to places and more so to their owners. Where you go, they’ll likely want to follow. However, in some cases, it might not be such a good idea to have them tag along. Age and health are factors to consider, as well as past behavioral patterns that may indicate reluctance to relocate — such as consistent heightened anxiety during car rides.

When in doubt, consult with your local veterinarian. If your pet is not used to traveling, you might want to call up your veterinarian and get their two cents. They’ll also be able to provide you with much needed advice concerning your pet in particular, as they’ll likely be familiar with their behavioral patterns.

Here’s how you should prep your furry friend:

#1- Make a quick trip to the vet for a pre-travel check-up, ensure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations, meds, and grooming needs.

#2- Get them ready for the crate if that’s how they’ll be spending their time on the road. For this, you might want to make sure it's placed within eyesight for a few days prior to your scheduled trip, and get them accustomed to spending time inside — treats will be your best friend.

If you have to leave them behind, here’s what to do:

#1- When it comes to cats, it’s best to leave them at home. Make sure you’re stocked up on food and water, and have a trusted friend or family member pass by once a day to make sure nothing is awry. Cats are largely independent, and will do just fine under most circumstances when left alone — however, they should not be left unsupervised for over 24 hours.

#2- Doggy care. Cairo has no shortage of doggy daycare centers and dog boarding hotels. If you’re unable to leave them with a trusted friend or family member, you should consider reaching out to Mazen’s Resort in Obour, Eastwind in New Cairo and 6 October, or The Dog Father in Sakkara.

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR FURRY FRIEND-

Make sure you’ve packed everything your furry friend might need, including — and especially — their favorite toys. You should always have a back-up plan; whether that manifests itself in the form of an extra leash, flea and tick meds, or grooming supplies. Pet supplies aren’t all too rare up north, but your best course of action is to make sure you don’t need to panic over last-minute supplies when you’re there.

** IMPORTANT NOTE- Always travel with your pet’s vaccination passport and — for dogs — licenses.

PET-FRIENDLY COASTAL DESTINATIONS-

Once you reach your destination and get your furry friend(s) settled in, make note of which beaches will welcome them with open arms. While most private beaches across the North Coast are dog-friendly, not all of them are. When in doubt, a quick phone call will save you lots of trouble.

Pet-friendly beaches include Hacienda Red, Seashell, Telal, Marassi North Beach, La VistaCascada, Fouka Bay, Sidi Heneish Village, and Solare Beach Ras Al Hekma.

DOGGY DANGERS LIE AHEAD-

Beaches are fun, but they’re also dangerous — especially for your pet. From heatstrokes to sand ingestion, here are things to keep an eye out for.

#1- Monitor your pet, always. While you’ll likely want to let your dog roam free, it’s recommended that you always keep them on a leash and in your field of vision. Salt water and sand ingestion can cause serious physical damage, leading to vomiting, abdominal pain, and lethargy. Large amounts of salt water can also lead to poisoning and may be fatal. Always make sure you have a supply of fresh drinking water at the beach, and make sure to properly bathe your dog after a swim to avoid salt water ingestion while self-grooming.

#2- Your dog doesn’t need a tan, keep them out of the sun. Just like humans, dogs are prone to heatstrokes. It’s recommended that you keep your dog away from the sun during peak hours, provide a cover or mat of some sort for them to lay on at the beach, and restrict their sun exposure to 10-15 minute intervals. Most importantly — make sure they get their fair share of rest.

STOCKING UP-

If your trip runs for longer than expected and you happen to run out of supplies, don’t fret. Most supermarkets across the North Coast — such as Bassem Market, Gomla Market, Carrefour, Gourmet and more — will have ample supply of pet food, litter, and — on occasion — crates, bowls, and toys.

Can’t find a brand that caters to your puppy’s discerning palate? You can download the Pawsket app from the App Store or the Google Play store. This dedicated e-commerce platform delivers all sorts of pet supplies across the North Coast and right to your doorstep, and boasts an expansive catalogue of different brands across different categories.

LAST-MINUTE EMERGENCIES-

While we’re not manifesting any last-minute emergencies here, you should definitely keep a mental note on where to go if accidents happen that extend beyond your scope as your pet’s caretaker.

#1- British Animal Hospital: Located in Agora Mall in front of Marassi 1, the British Animal Hospital is fully equipped to handle all sorts of medical emergencies, and offers its services 24/7 with mobile vet units that cover the area from Marina to Sidi Heneish.

HOW TO REACH THEM: You can contact the British Animal Hospital through their socialmedia accounts, or by calling 010 9720 3773.

#2- Pet Society Veterinary Clinic: Located in Stella Walk, the Pet Society clinic offers all sorts of medical services, including vaccinations, lab tests, x-rays, and surgeries. The clinic also offers emergency transport services, and is open 24/7.

HOW TO REACH THEM: You can contact the clinic by calling 010 2434 3862.

#3- Happy Pets: With two branches on the North Coast at Marina’s Siesta Hotel and Hacienda Red’s Dunes Mall, Happy Pets provides all sorts of veterinary services as well as grooming and pet supplies. They also make house calls.

HOW TO REACH THEM: You can reach out to Happy Pets through their hotline 15891.

Online resources may come in handy: Sometimes you might be overassessing a situation, and vice versa. When in doubt, check out PetMD, one of the largest vet-reviewed databases on animal health, pet care, and emergency resources.

Tags: