Long-distance travel can be stressful, and adding a drooling, sick dog or a loud pet to the scene may make it even more difficult for you. If you’re making plans to travel in the near future, you’re likely wondering, “What about my dog?”
There are several options to choose from, such as hiring the services of a pet sitter, taking care of your dog, or even taking your pet with you should you feel confident enough to take it on. When planning a trip for your pet, it is essential to consider their behavior, health, and prior travel experience.
Travel Preparation Involving Pets
There’s nothing more relaxing than driving the open road with your furry friend, especially if your best friend possesses four legs and whiskers. Be aware of these safety tips if you’re going on a trip and want to bring your pet with you.
1. Pre-veterinary Visit
Set up an appointment for your pet’s veterinarian’s visit before leaving. Make sure you know that airlines require pet health certifications for travel at least ten days before your flight. Therefore, make sure that your pet is current in their vaccinations. Because not all dogs are capable of traveling and boarding, it is best to consult your veterinarian to see if they are a good candidate for boarding or other alternatives.
If you want to have a brief background on the services and procedures that a reputable pet facility has to offer, you can visit websites like oakgroveanimal.com and read the blog posts and articles about their services.
2. Train Your Pet
A well-trained dog makes traveling more enjoyable and safer for everyone. You can use rewards and praise to motivate your dog’s performance on your trip by reinforcing important travel rules by providing positive reinforcement. Tell your dog “Wait” before leaving the vehicle to ensure it won’t leap out and get loose. Make sure your dog is familiar with their crate or safety harness with their favorite goodies and toys to create an enjoyable event for them. Start training your dog yourself or with a professional before your trip.
3. Practice Safety
Do not allow your pet to take a seat in the front. Keep your pet’s head within the vehicle at all times. Despite their affection for the wind in their hair, they are at risk of developing eye or ear injuries and infections. Do not leave your dog unattended when driving. In less than a half-hour, even on a pleasant day, the temperature inside your vehicle can rise to dangerous levels.
To ensure your pet’s safety at all times and the your readiness to any misforture, you can get in touch with an after-hours emergency care vet facility that can attend to your pet and address the problem right away.
4. Prepare for Emergency
Plan for the worst-case scenario, such as your pet getting lost or experiencing a medical problem. No matter how far away you are from your home, having a microchip with valid identification will enable you to swiftly and safely reconnect with your pet. Your pet’s current identification tags must be affixed to its collar while away from home.
Create a list of all the emergency veterinary clinics you visit during your trip and at your final location, and note the phone numbers and addresses of each. In case of emergency, that needs the services of a veterinary orthopedic specialist, you need to search for a veterinarian that specializes in such field.
5. Be patient
You’ll not be able to anticipate every possible issue that may arise while traveling, nor will you be able to predict how your pet might behave in a stressful situation. Be patient not just with your pet but also with yourself during the ups and downs of your trip. Enjoy the experience, and don’t forget about making some lasting memories on the way.
