Long-distance travel is stressful, and adding a drooling, sick dog or a loud carry-on puppy to the scene may make it even more difficult for you. If you are making plans to travel in the near future, you are likely already thinking to yourself, “What about my dog?”
You have choices, such as hiring a pet sitter, boarding your dog, or even taking your pet with you if you’re feeling courageous enough to do so. When making vacation plans with your dog, it is essential to take into account their temperament, health, and previous travel experiences.
Travel Preparation Involving Pets
There is nothing more enjoyable than traveling the open road with your best friend, and this is especially true if your best friend possesses four legs, a tail, and whiskers. Think about the following safety tips if you’re going on a trip and want to bring your pet with you.
1. Pre-veterinary Visit
Make an appointment for your dog’s veterinary care before you leave. Be aware that airlines need pet health certifications for travel at least ten days before your flight, so make sure your pets are current on their immunizations. Because not all dogs are capable of traveling, you should consult with your veterinarian to see if they are a good candidate for boarding or other alternatives.
If you are looking for compassionate and comprehensive care for your pet, you can look for a facility and visit their website for more information about the different types of veterinary care that they offer.
2. Train Your Pet
A well-trained dog makes travel much easy and safer for everyone. You can utilize praise and treats to encourage your dog to perform well on your trip by reinforcing crucial travel commands with positive reinforcement. Tell your dog “Wait” before exiting the car, so it doesn’t jump out and get loose. Make sure your dog associates their crate or safety harness with their favorite goodies and toys so that it becomes a positive experience for them. Start training your dog yourself or with a professional long before your vacation.
3. Practice Safety
Never let your pet ride in the front seat. Also, keep your pet’s head inside the vehicle at all times. Despite their fondness for the wind in their hair, they are at risk of eye, ear, and nose infections and injuries because of it. Never leave your dogs unsupervised while driving. In less than a half-hour, even on a mild day, the temperature inside your automobile can rise to dangerous levels.
If your furry friend figured in an accident and needs surgical procedure to remediate the injury, you need to search for a vet facility that specializes in veterinary surgery for pets. Not all clinics or hospitals perform surgical procedures, you need to get in touch with a surgical vet as soon as possible.
4. Prepare for Emergency
Prepare for the worst-case scenario, such as your dog getting lost or having a medical issue. No matter how far away you are from home, a microchip and correct identification will help you promptly and safely reunite with your pet. Your pet’s current identification tags should be attached to its collar while you are away from home. Make a list of all the emergency animal hospital along your trip and at your final destination, and write down their phone numbers and addresses.
5. Be patient
You won’t be able to prepare for every potential problem that could arise while traveling, nor will you be able to anticipate how your pet would behave in an unfamiliar situation. Maintain patience not only with your pet but also with yourself throughout the highs and lows of your journey. Spend some time savoring the adventure, and don’t forget to make some memories along the way.
