One of the most rewarding things to do is to travel with your pet, experiencing new adventures and special moments together. It could be a road trip to somewhere new or flying off across the world but being able to take your pet along on these adventures can add so much more excitement and camaraderie. But it also presents its own challenges. Good planning, safety precautions and pets should be taken into consideration to make this moving go smoother. Here in this comprehensive guide, we will detail everything you need to know about pet travel and share some handy tips that can make your journey enjoyable and hassle-free. Specially like dogs, cats etc
Preparing Your Pet for Travel
Preparation is the first key of a happy furry ride on your trip. Bringing your pet along on a trip can be stressful, so it is important to make sure they are physically and of course, emotionally prepared. First, make an appointment for your vet to complete a thorough health check. Otherwise, it may prove problematic when you are traveling internationally as many countries will ask to see health certificates of your pet and even require vaccinations or quarantine if they want to protect their borders against all the diseases that can come in with a furry friend.
Activity Check: While you have your pet at the vet, talk to them about any health issues they may be experiencing and, if need be, ask for suggestions on keeping it calm or comfortable while traveling. That is assuming that your pet gets anxious… Your veterinarian might also prescribe calming medications or supplements.
If you have a road trip in mind, also ensure your pet is well acclimated to car travel as this will reduce the probability of incident. For animals that are used to being inside a car, Honegger suggests going on short but frequent trips so they do not associate the experience of arriving at their destination with negative past experiences. By introducing travel to your pet, they are less likely to be stressed on the day of their journey.
Selecting the appropriate Travel Carrier
The comfort and safety of your pet while traveling is highly dependent on the carrier or crate that you choose. This is particularly important if you are flying, as most airlines do have requirements when it comes to who can sell pet carriers and what type of pets they should be used for so remember a prior plan Travel. Select a carrier that is adequately ventilated, durable and large enough so your pet can stand up, turn around and lie down without any difficulty.
You can — and should— train your pet to use the carrier in advance. Place the carrier in a common area at home and coax your pet to investigate. Lay soft bedding and toys that are familiar to them inside the carrier. What this does is get your pet accustomed to the carrier and recognize that it is a safe zone, which could be very useful for long trips.
If you drive to the location, strap your carrier down while driving so that it doesn’t slide around. Do not place the carrier in the car’s front seat with an active air bag, this can cause harm if in an accident.
Pet Packing Essentials
As you pack for yourself, your pet has its own luggage that should be filled with the right travel essentials to make sure they are safe and comfortable during their travels. Prepare a list of things your pet will require such as:-
- Pertaining to Food: make certain you carry meals or treats with your pet that will previous a similar period of time as the vacation, and bottled drinking water inside in case they come out wherever consuming regular faucet water can trigger an upset stomach. Portable food and water bowls
- Leash and Collar: To ensure prompt potty breaks or nature walks, keep their leash and collar within reach. Ensure your pet has a current ID tag.
- Health and Safety Supplies: A simple first-aid kit is an essential that should include bandages, antiseptic wipes & tweezers for emergencies. It should also include any medications your pet is on.
- Comfort Items: We encourage you to bring a few of your pet’s favorite things from home like toys, blankets or their bed/sleepy time space as it can be helpful for reducing stress and anxiety during travel.
Equipping yourself with the right tools assures that you will have a happy pet by your side throughout the journey who is comfortable, well-fed and safe.
Plan stops and safety for road trips with pets
Road Trips: One of the easiest ways to travel with your pet is by car since you can take water breaks and short walks anytime. It will take you longer to get there, but it is important that your pet keeps making regular stops walking; going to the bathroom and spending energy. Expect to pull over every two or three hours so that your pet has time for exercise and also comfort stops.
Securing your pet safely in the car when driving A pet seatbelt, travel crate or harness is essential to avoid a loose animal in the car that might move around and distract the driver. Always secure your pet in the rear seat or best restraint him so adaptation does not become an option. And never, ever leave your pet inside a parked car — in anything besides room temperature weather this can lead to heat stroke or freezing conditions.
Traveling by air with pets: a primer
It is much more complex to fly with a pet than it is to travel by road as airline rules are very strict and safety measures have been set up in some cases, only under certain circumstances (please check with the airline regarding its pet policy before you travel). A small pet can fly in the cabin with an owner, but a big one will have to go below.
If you are flying, make sure that any other documentation is in order, like a health certificate from your vet or proof of vaccinations. You can also try to book direct flights so that you do not prolong the layover time and meanwhile avoid subjecting your pet to extreme temperatures for a long period.
Try to fly with your pet during non-busy travel times, skip feeding him a big meal before the flight (this can help prevent motion sickness) and avoid watering every 5 hours or so while you are in transit.
Check the availability of pet-friendly accommodations.
Whether you are lodging at a hotel, vacation rental or camping overnight be sure to reserve pet-friendly accommodations. While some hotels and rentals do accept pets (with restrictions, fees or notice required), this should be confirmed with the manager beforehand.
When you search for an accommodation, make sure to find the things they offer that are pet-friendly like dog walking areas or even cat-sitting facilities etc. Also make sure your room is safe for a pet (ie no open window(s) or dangerous cords).
If you have pets, allow them to explore your new surroundings while setting up their bedding, food and water correctly before they experience the full movie as well.
How To Keep Your Pet Calm and Comfortable
Traveling can be nerve wracking for your pets if they are not used to it. Plan for calming aids — if your pet is a calm good traveler, this may not be needed but it could include pheromone sprays to use before journeys as well as anxiety vests and travel-friendly, dog-safe calming tablets. Additionally, playing some soft music or using a white noise machine in your hotel room can add to this calm environment.
Make sure you stick to your pet’s regular routine as much as possible while traveling. Feeding them at the same time as usual, keeping an exercise routine and having their favorite bedding or toys may help.
Conclusion
Traveling with your pet is certainly a wonderful and memorable experience but it also needs planning and considerations. Whether you have to prepare your furry friend for the trip, or make sure that they are safe and comfortable whether on a road-trip… She has got it all covered. Your best way to adventure together as a family and make your furry friend happy for days on end, while still keeping them in safe hands.
Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-dog-wearing-sunglasses-on-blue-textile-zBsXaPEBSeI
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