How To Keep Your Pets Happy While Traveling
Are you planning to take your pet with you for an exciting vacation out of state with the rest of the family? While some pets love to travel, it can be stressful if they are not properly prepared for the trip. Long car and plane rides require a thorough preparation process to keep your pets happy while traveling.
If you plan ahead of time, you can ensure that your beloved pet is comfortable and safe all throughout the trip. Here are some things you should keep in mind to keep your pets happy while traveling.
1. Take many short trips with your pet first.
If you have nervous pets who hate loud noises, try putting them in the vehicle for a short period without turning the engine on. Observe their behavior and when you notice that they’re comfortable, start the engine. Initially, you don’t need to go anywhere, just get them used to staying comfortable in the car with the engine running.
From there, you can start taking them on short trips, possibly throughout your city, until they get used to riding in a moving vehicle. It is very important to get pets accustomed to this before long-distance trips. Check if they are showing signs of nervousness, stress or anxiety. However, there is no need to worry because over time, your pet will accept car and plane trips and will be entirely ready to take on a long journey.
2. Prepare a travel kit for your beloved pet.
Don’t forget to bring food, water, bowls, and medications. In addition, bring all the necessary documents, including your pet’s health records and proof of recent immunizations. A pet first-aid kit and supplies like scoops and waste bags would also come in handy. To keep your pet busy and preoccupied throughout the trip, you can pack a few toys. If you have a puppy, take a lot of toys!
BarkBox is a monthly subscription service that is perfect for keeping your pets occupied while traveling. Plus, it’s a nice surprise for your pup they actually look forward to! They provide high quality treats, toys, and even experiences so your pups don’t get into anything they shouldn’t be getting into. It is also very easy to customize your monthly box as your pup grows or if you need more treats vs toys or vice versa. CLICK HERE to get their new promotional FREE Sprinkler, Splash Pad, or Pool Float with your first box!
3. Take your pet to the veterinarian before the trip.
It’s advisable to take your pet to the veterinarian for a check-up before going on a grand adventure. Ask about the safest and most secure method to transport your pet. They need to be just as secured as you are, especially since they are also a member of the family.
4. Keep your pet restrained.
At some point, you may be tempted to give your animal friend lots of room while on a long car ride. Well, putting them in a confined space is actually the better option. Keep your pet restrained in their crate when inside a vehicle. Most animals, especially dogs, may jump and explore around while you’re driving. Keeping them restrained in a small space is safer, protecting them from being thrown around the vehicle.
5. Choose your airline and flight wisely.
Are you flying with your pet? While flying can be stressful to any kind of animal, transporting them safely is very much possible. As a start, read the rules and guidelines of your preferred airline. If your pet weighs over 20 pounds and doesn’t perform a life-saving function, the only option is to travel in the airline cargo hold.
You may have heard that recently, airlines have landed in hot water for accidentally shipping pets to the wrong countries and airports. In some cases, they end up dead. That is why as much as possible, look for non-stop flights with no transfers to lessen the risks of anything going wrong. This is after all your most precious cargo!
Moreover, take note that many destinations have long quarantine periods and complicated processes. This could mean that you would be separated from your pet for most or all of your trip and you definitely don’t want that to happen. It’s super important to make sure you travel safely at all times.
6. Allow your pet to skip the meal before your trip.
We all want our pets to enjoy big, healthy meals, but eating too much can cause stomach trouble. The most common symptom of stress is diarrhea – the very last thing pet parents want to encounter before a trip. Even if they don’t appear anxious before a car or plane ride, motion sickness can upset their stomach quickly.
To avoid an accident, it’s highly recommended to feed them less than you typically would before traveling. Some owners would even start the journey with their pets having an empty stomach. Skip the last meal you would usually feed them before starting the trip. You’ll be glad you did!
7. Keep your pet hydrated.
Keeping pets hydrated when traveling, especially during the summer season, helps avoid many problems. Without easy access to water, pets can easily get dehydrated. Keep this in mind while preparing travel supplies for your travel buddy. Allowing them to have convenient access to water, maybe by attaching a small bowl inside their crates, is perfect. If that is not possible, just take frequent breaks and offer your pet a drink. Another way to keep them hydrated is to feed them wet food instead of dry, during the trip. However, don’t change your pets food routine just for travel purposes as it may cause upset stomach & diarrhea.
These tips should help you feel a little more confident about how to keep your pets happy while traveling. Travel is to be enjoyed for every member of the family and that includes your pet!
