More and more passengers are bringing their pets on planes and on the road. Having our dogs by our sides provides comfort, but traveling with them may be difficult. If you’re planning a domestic or international trip with your dogs in tow, consider these safety measures. If your pet can wander about, it’s dangerous for everyone in the vehicle.
How to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy During Trips – Think About How You Can Take Your Pet With You
Traveling with a dog entails accommodating its demands, such as stopping for bathroom breaks and exercise. Make sure there are lots of appropriate stops along the way where your pet may get some exercise.
According to Phoenix Veterinary Center, a leading animal hospital serving Phoenix and the South Mountain Area, “Take COVID-19 measures into mind during the planning stage. Avoid areas where you cannot keep at least 6 feet of space between you and others. Keep your dog at least 6 feet away from people, too. As a general rule, treat pets as family members.”
Also, be picky about where you decide to end up. For instance, public face coverings may be required in certain areas while others may not. Do your homework to choose a location with low infection rates since local variables always change.
Take your pet in for a vet check-up before an epic journey. Find out what the best method of transporting your pet is.
How to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy During Trips – Do Some Dry Runs on the Way There
Acclimating your pet to automobile travel months in advance of your vacation. Your pet should have a good first car ride experience. Putting your pet and its favorite toys in a parked automobile may help. This will help them adjust to their new home without the hassle of moving. If you want to transport your pet in a carrier, you may want to get some practice before you really need to.
Once your pet gets used to sitting in the vehicle while parked, take them for a 10-minute trip in their carrier or harness. A positive connection may be reinforced by rewarding your pet with a treat or taking them to a pleasant location after the ride.
Start taking short trips with your pet once or twice a day, and work up to longer ones. Usually, one month is enough time for your pet to acclimate to road travel.
How to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy During Trips – Pack Up on Meds
It’s important to let your vet know you’ll be going so they can prepare any necessary meds for the trip or to ensure treatment continuity. If your pet is going with you on the airline, place the pills in your carry-on bag (not checked baggage) so they’re accessible if you need them (or in case your luggage gets lost).
How to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy During Trips – Get Their Shots
Depending on where you are going, getting your dog or cat vaccinated in advance may be necessary. Find out what documentation your pet will need to go to your location and discuss this with your vet. And make sure Fido is current on all vaccines before you take the road.
How to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy During Trips – Get Your Beloved Pet’s Travel Necessities Together
Food, water, bowls, and medicine should all be brought along. In addition, bring all the essential documentation, including your pet’s health records and evidence of current vaccines. Having a first aid kit for pets and things like scoops and garbage bags would be helpful. It’s a good idea to bring along some toys to keep your pet entertained and amused throughout the journey. Pack plenty of playthings for your pet!
How to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy During Trips – Never, Ever, Ever Leave Your Pet in a Moving Vehicle
Even though five minutes may seem like a little time to you, it’s much too long to leave your pet in a vehicle. When it’s 72 degrees outside, the temperature inside your car can reach 116 degrees within an hour, posing a serious health risk. Even with the windows cracked, your car’s interior can reach 102 degrees on a sunny day with an outside temperature of 85 degrees in as little as 10 minutes. If you’re planning but encounter delays, you may return to a vehicle heated to 120 degrees and a pet that has suffered irreparable organ damage or has died in as little as 30 minutes.
How to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy During Trips – Microchip, Global Positioning System (GPS), and Tag
It’s one thing if your dog disappears from your neighborhood; it’s quite another if you and your pet get separated on a road trip in an unknown area. If your dog gets lost and takes an unexpected diversion, you should ensure your contact information is readable on the dog’s ID tag. You may want to have your traveling companion microchipped before going on your journey.
A location monitoring gadget or collar, such as the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker, may be a genuine lifesaver on the road, even if your dog is properly tagged and chipped and your registration information is up to date. If your dog becomes lost, you may end the anxious waiting with Tractive. The waterproof, clip-on GPS tracker gives real-time tracking details to assist you in reconnecting with a missing pet promptly. You can track your dog’s whereabouts and activities anywhere, whether on the beach, on a trail, or in your living room.
How to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy During Trips – Check to See Whether Your Intended Location Allows Dogs
Ensure your destination hotels accept pets before bringing your dog on a lengthy vehicle trip. So, if you’re going to a friend’s place for the night, ensure they’re OK with bringing your dog.
If your final destination includes a hotel, ensure you understand and are comfortable with their pet policy before booking. You should phone and talk to someone beforehand to ensure everything goes properly when you arrive.
How to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy During Trips – Just Let Them Be
You know you wouldn’t dare go in a vehicle without buckling up, right? Unfortunately, not everyone remembers to secure their animal companions in the vehicle. For the length of the journey, pets like dogs and cats should be secured in a pet restraint or travel kennel, and it’s a good idea to have familiar objects like toys and treats inside the kennel with them.
Acclimating your pet to the travel kennel or restraint ahead of time is also recommended. If you want to ensure she’s comfortable in the travel attachment and doesn’t freak out while driving, practice short excursions in it before you go.
How to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy During Trips – Prepare for Medical Emergencies
We can never predict when an emergency may occur. Do some homework on local vets and pack your pet’s medical records and necessary medications. Remember to include a pet first aid kit, just in case. In the event of a natural catastrophe or weather delays, you should bring at least three days’ worth of water, food, and prescriptions.