Adventure awaits, and for many pet owners, leaving their furry friend behind is not an option. There is nothing wrong with taking your pet along and creating awesome memories together, provided you go about it with proper prep. Sifting through the information regarding traveling with your pet may take some time.
No matter if your travel time is a few hours or a vacation that lasts a few weeks, ensuring that your pet will travel with comfort and be safe during your travels is a priority. This article identifies essential steps to prepare your pet for travel in an effort to make traveling with your pet easier.
Vet Check Up
Before any trip, a vet check-up is a must. This way you verify that your pet is ready to travel and you have the proper paperwork.
Health Certificate & Vaccinations. For flying or train travel as well as traveling to some countries, a health certificate signed by a veterinarian is required within a specific time frame (often 10 days) to travel. Be sure to keep vaccinations, especially rabies vaccination, current. Consider asking about medication to prevent anxiety or movement sickness if needed.
ID. If your pet gets lost, it is important to have an accurate ID. If they have a microchip, check to make sure the information is current. A collar ID tag should be attached with a cell phone and, in some cases, the address where you are traveling.
Transportation
Whatever your travel means, it prepares your travel planning.
By Car.
- Be sure to use crash-tested dog crates, car seats or harnesses. Never allow your dog to roam freely in a vehicle.
- Consider taking practice car rides to help your pet adjust. Use treats to reward calmness.
- Make sure airflow is good. Never leave your pet unattended in a parked vehicle.
By Air.
- Contact the airline regulations for pet travel in advance.
- Travel Rules: There are different rules with relation to size, breed and dimensions of carrier.
- Travel by cargo: Direct flights, limited exposure within extreme temperatures, and cooler times of the day will qualify.
Travel by train/bus:
- Some train/bus companies allow small pets with the carrier (depends). Always confirm this with the procedure before booking.
Travel Carrier Generally: The Carrier is your pet’s safe space.
- Comfort and Size: Make sure the pet is able to stand up, turn around, and lay down. Not larger to avoid excessive running room.
- Ventilation and Labeling: Purchase a sturdy, well-ventilated. Label “live animal,” and add your contact information.
- Familiarizing: Always familiarize your pet with the carrier well ahead of travel destination. Add a few toys or a blanket inside that will comfort the pet.
Food & Water: Schedule Maintain a schedule with food is a way to keep them secure.
- Frequently enough, enough nutrition in a air tight container, food container.
- Portable Bowl & Water: Make sure to bring collapsible bowl and water is travel tested that the pet typically knows should avoid an upset stomach.
- Feeding schedule: Stick with meal periods. Feed smaller meals just before travel to potentially limit nausea and sickness.
Packing Essentials: Some basics are obvious, but there are some other basics that can help your trip.
- Comfort items: More than a toy or a blanket that is familiar scented.
- Leash & harness: Should only easily accessible (along with travel carrier) and break stop and let out.
- Waste: Waste bags, Towels, and Cleaner.
- First-aid kit: Wipes, band-aids or gauze, and prescribed medications.
Practice and Acclimation:
- Gradual introductions will decrease worry.
- Start with quick car rides to place you and the pet enjoy (i.e. park).
- Contain in meal and nap time in carrier before and before the travel day.
Best advice:
“Most fear-free, calm pet travel comes from parents who have attempted to minimize the pet’s travel fears, and not from following airline regulations,” the veterinarian in Dubai stated. “Before traveling, it’s always wise to check with a trusted dubai vet”
When Traveling:
Although you have completed all the preparation, careful monitoring and attention will need to be taken for pets.
- Breaks: Stop every expect stretch, and take bathroom and drinking breaks. Use a leash.
- Minimizing stress: Tone of voice and being alert for loud noises and jerky movements.
- Identification: Identify with proper ID pin. If traveling long-term. Use tightly ID pin with your name etc, and temporary ID pin with attached name and other information when you travel.
Final Thoughts:
Traveling with a pet is an achievable reality, but it takes some planning. A check-up, a method of safe travel, the pet carrier size, and a few comforts, to help prepare for a positive trip. With prior gradual introduction, and maintaining their schedules of safety when possible, lead to a positive and fun trip. Hopefully with planing you and your pet experience a good time traveling together.
