You are a responsible pet parent and do not want to leave your pet with anyone else, even though you have travel plans. But you are not experienced enough to deal with your pets while traveling. That is a thing to really give a thought about, because pets need extra care during travel. Most pet owners do not think about the extra hustle they have to make for their pet, during their journey together.
So, if you have made up your mind to take your pet with you while travelling, you really need to know about some useful pet travel tips. With vet recommendations, these tips best align with your pet’s demands before and during the trip.
Why safe travel is important for your pet.
We humans, with the development of our world, have also advanced our transport as well as safety measures during travel. But unfortunately, pets can not do that all by themselves. Just like food and grooming, our pets are dependent on us for their safety and comfort. And yes the responsibility devolves on us to keep them safe and comfy at any cost.
When it comes to a trip with your pet, the pet’s safety and routine must be your top priority. During travel pets need special attention, because they get a whole new environment to experience. Even if you are well prepared for all the other things except their mental wellness, then in the new environment, they can feel anxiety or home sickness.
5 pet safe travel tips:
1. Visit vet before departure:
If you are going abroad, with your pet, must visit your pet before 2 to 3 weeks of departure. The Vet will take a full body examination of your pet and will alert you of any possibility of a serious health condition of your pet. Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date as they are required by the airline or destination authorities. For international travel, you will also need a health certificate of your pet from a licensed USDA Vet.
The Vet will also guide you about your pet’s behavior ( anxiety or motion sickness) before departure and will recommend suitable medication for your pet that will be good for the trip. A vet visit before departure will give you peace of mind that your pet is ready to make a trip with you.
2. Pack a pet travel kit with necessary items:
Pack the regular food of your pet with some extra quantity in case of flight delays or any emergency during travel. During the trip, using disposable bowls will make feeding more easy. Put the usual treats you give to your pet, so that your pet will feel more comfortable. Pack basic first aid kit items like gauze, antiseptic wipes and bandages for the sake of any unwanted incident. Also make sure to add regular medication if your pet uses it regularly.
To make the trip feel like home, get the favorite pet toys, blanket or bedding with you. That will provide mental peace to your pet at unfamiliar places. Get the necessary documents of your pet with you during the travel like vaccination record and health certificate or even your Vet’s information like contact number.
3. Use a safe carrier:
You will need a safe and comfortable carrier for your pet that allows it to sit, turn around and lie down easily. Make sure that the carrier is well-ventilated to avoid any suffocation during the travel. ID tag is the most important thing you will need to recover your pet if your pet gets lost in an unfamiliar place.
For international travel, you will need a carrier that meets “USDA certified shipping crate” requirements. Put in the favorite toys and usual blanket of your pet in it to make the interior more relevant to your pet.
4. Regular breaks during travel:
If you are taking your pet in a car, you can take regular breaks during the trip. It will be good for pets as regular breaks will let it come out of the carrier and stretch or walk for a while, which will allow the joints to relax during muscle movement. Regular breaks must be accompanied with water supply to your pet, as it will keep your pet hydrated during the journey.
Experts say, if a pet parent is travelling by car with a pet, then a regular break after every 2-3 hours is a good option. Regular breaks will also be accompanied by potty breaks holding the bowel or bladder for a long time could be painful for your pet. Do not leave your pet in the parked car, for a long time, especially during the summer season, as it can cause heatstroke to your pet. Because the temperature inside a parked car without any ventilation increases instantly.
5. Keep normal and familiar routine
During the trip, you need to stick to your pet’s daily routine, following the same feeding schedule, potty breaks, walks time and cuddles. In short, if you keep your pet around familiar surroundings and stuff like toys, blankets, and bedding, your pet will be less vulnerable towards anxiety and depression. Pets feel more safe and less anxious, when their daily schedule remains consistent even if they are at some new place.
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, your fluffy pal needs special attention during a national or foreign trip. Pack all the necessary items of your pet to make a familiar surrounding even at a distant place. Stick to the regular diet schedule of your pet to keep the digestion stable. Spending more time with your pet will help him to escape anxiety and depression.
