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Summer vacation: Should my small dog stay or travel? Safety tips?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Maltese | Female | unspayed | 4 years old | 4 lbs

Since summer vacation is getting closer and we're planning on going somewhere probably without our little girl and my older sister has a baby boy who is in June 18th going to be 1 month. I was wondering if it's safe to leave my pup with her at her home or should I take her with me? Also do you have any advice on how to keep cool the small bean and any other summer activities? What should I do to protect her? Product recommendations would be great too. Thanks!

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 6th, 2017

Whether or not it is safe to leave your dog at your sisters will depend on your dog. If he has never been around children before or has shown any aggression towards children, then it is less safe. No dog should be left unattended around children, so it is best if your dog hasn't been around the baby to keep it in an area separated from where the baby will be- either a separate area of the house or outdoors. Some dogs are fine with babies, others may be made anxious by the presence of a baby or they may view the baby as a prey due to small size and the funny noises the baby makes. Since your dog is so small, perhaps putting it in a pen inside your sister's house would work. He shouldn't be hard to contain due to his size. Whether you should bring him with you is going to depend on where you area going- do they allow dogs? will it be very hot outside? will you have to leave the dog in a car? It can get hot VERY quickly in a car in warm weather even with windows rolled down, so it is not recommended to leave a dog in a car in the summer with warm weather, so unless the places you are traveling allow pets it may be best to leave him behind. Keeping him cool will involve providing access to fresh water, shade, and not leaving him in a car or outdoors for extended periods of time in the warm weather. I am not sure what type of products you are looking for recommendations for? More information is needed from you for that type of recommendation.

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