Helpful Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe While Traveling

The Covid-19 pandemic may have greatly limited the travelling capabilities of many people for over a year, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Vaccinations are starting to be administered and Covid-19 cases are already on the decline, albeit steadily.

During the new year, if travel is allowed and safe, millions of people will be touring the country in the globe to make up for lost time. If you’re going to be one of these families, and you’ll be traveling with a pet, there are a few things you should know.

Here’s a short guide to traveling with your pet to keep them safe and comfortable during any long drives or flights.

Allow Your Pet to Let Out Some Energy

There’s nothing worse than a fully energized pet on a long car trip. Before you load up your best friend into the car, try letting them break a sweat. Take them for a long walk or a nice job around the block to tucker them out and keep them less frantic during the long car ride.

In addition to making your pet less energetic, this strategy will also give your pet less anxiety when you arrive at your destination. During studies, pets who were given more physical exercise were far less anxious when experiencing new locations and sensations than those who were cooped up even before the traveling.

Consider a Product to Calm Your Pet’s Anxiety

Although you should always consult your veterinarian before buying any sort of product of your pet, there are certain medications which reduce the amount of anxiety in a variety of animals. Pheromones and blankets, for example, are great for reducing the stress in many dogs and even a few cats.

Many of these items can be found online and bought cheaply through Amazon and other pet stores, both online and in-person. It’s important to test any product you buy on your pet before you actually begin to travel, as not all pets react similarly to the same products. In addition, to reiterate, you should always ask you vet for suggestions, especially when buying a chemically based product.

Make Sure You Have a Good Carrier

For most pets, and during most trips, you’ll want to use a carrier to ensure your pet doesn’t run amok in the car and cause any serious danger. You’ll want a crate which is ventilated nicely and large enough to comfortably house your pet; they should be able to sit, stand, and lay down without severe discomfort.

Just like other products, it’s always a smart idea to adjust your pet to the idea and presence of the carrier before you actually start to travel. Have them sit and stay in the crate while inside the house simply to ease the idea of staying in it for longer periods of time, especially during trips where they have no other choice or options.

Take Your Pet for Shorter Rides Frist

Pets are incredibly adept at adapting to circumstances and learning new behaviors and experiences. If you want to take your pet during a long trip, it’s a good idea to let them adjust to sitting in the car and behaving.

Start off by simply getting them in the car, most likely in their carrier, then driving around the block a few times. You can finish off the training process by driving to a destination about fifteen or twenty minutes away, so your pet is totally comfortable with the idea of a longer car ride. Always remember to secure the crate so it doesn’t slide around or become haphazard in ways not intended.

Prepare a Pet Travel Kit

Odds are, you’re going to bring plenty of food and drink along for your own family, so don’t leave your pet out. You can bring a baggie of treats, plus food, water, a leash, plastic bags, grooming supplies, and medication to ensure you’re ready for whatever the trip may throw at you and your pet.

In addition, you can bring a favorite toy to reward your pet for good behavior during the trip. It’s a good idea to feed your pet a light meal a few hours before you leave and pack a few cases of bottled water as well. Letting your pet drink from areas they aren’t accustomed to could easily lead to stomach discomfort.