How to Travel with Your Pet

If you’re planning a vacation or long trip with your pet and care about keeping your dog healthy, it is important to ensure they are comfortable and stress-free during the entire journey. Cats and dogs can find traveling very stressful, particularly if they have had a bad experience previously. By making your pet feel safe and secure when traveling, you can ensure they remain comfortable and relaxed throughout.

Before you travel with your pet, check out our top tips for traveling with dogs and cats to ensure they reach their destination safely.

How To Travel With A Dog?

Many dogs will travel happily in a vehicle, while others find it very stressful and unpleasant. If your dog is in the latter category, you will need to spend time teaching them that traveling is safe and can lead to fun adventures with the family. The best time to get a dog used to traveling is when they are a puppy, but it is possible to get an older dog used to the experience too.

One of the best tips for traveling with a dog is to start with short journeys, always to a destination that your dog enjoys. Make regular short trips to your favorite walking stops, gradually increasing the distance and time your dog spends in the car. If your dog gets bored easily when traveling, keep them occupied with treats containing CBD.

In addition, it is vital to ensure your dog is kept safe at all times whilst in a vehicle. Good pet safety tips include restraining your dog using a harness that attaches to the seatbelt, or using a pet travel crate that is the correct size for your dog. Make sure the internal temperature of the vehicle is cool and use sunshades on windows to prevent your dog from overheating.

As you start to head out on longer journeys, plan regular rest stops to allow your dog to have a drink, snack, and leg stretch. It is a good idea to research these in advance to ensure that dogs are permitted in the places you decide to stop.

How To Travel with a Cat?

Cats tend to travel far less frequently than dogs and often find it very stressful. Most cats only ever travel in a vehicle to visit the veterinary clinic, which is not normally an enjoyable experience. It is worth putting the time and effort into teaching your cat that traveling can be a pleasant experience in preparation for longer trips in the future.

With cats, it is important to get them accustomed to being confined to a secure travel crate. Opt for the largest crate that your vehicle can accommodate – this may be larger than a standard cat carrier but will give your cat room to move around comfortably. Look for a crate that has fixed food and water bowls and, if necessary, space for a litter tray.

But what if you are considering flying with your cat? In order to have a safe flight cat carriers approved by the airline must be used.  To minimize stress on your cat, spend time letting them get used to their carrier at home before the big trip. Put their favorite bed inside the carrier and give treats to encourage them to feel relaxed and calm.

Summary

Traveling doesn’t have to be a stressful experience for your pet. With time and patience, your dog or cat can learn to enjoy time spent traveling, safe in the knowledge that it leads to fun destinations and family adventures.    If you have an energetic pet, using products specifically formulated for them can help prevent boredom during long journeys.