Traveling comes with a lot of stress; you have to pack and make sure you are leaving no essentials behind. However, traveling with your pet is a different ball game that needs extra planning.
When you think travel, planning, packing and organizing come to mind. And it is safe to say that this could be quite stressful. Even if you outsource packing up, you would still need to double-check that all your travel plans are going smoothly.
Now, traveling with your pet requires extra planning and organization. This is because you’re bringing a plus one, who needs to be properly catered for. Check out these tips that will ensure your little buddy’s optimum safety.
1. Get A Travel Crate
At home, your pet probably has a large space to itself as well as the expanse of the whole house. However, when traveling, it is safe to say less is more. All the space your pet needs during the road or air trip is a comfy crate enough for movement.
You could think your pet, probably a dog needs to have more space, especially when it’s a personal car, but really, the crate will do just fine. This is more ideal than letting your dog slide off seats or be in the front seat with you.
2. Get All The Necessary Papers
Just like there are general rules for people traveling across states and countries, there are also laws and instructions when bringing in a pet. The right thing to do is to ensure all your pet’s papers are set as well as inter-country or state policies.
These papers include vet passes, vaccination papers, and health certificates. If you are traveling by air, contact the airline to check if there are more specific documents for bringing a pet.
3. Do Not Pack Up Toys
Do not stuff up your pet’s crate with its favorite toys. You want to make sure your pet is doing fine in their crate while traveling. This means giving them enough room. A few toys are fine; else, your pet might be struggling to stay still in the confined space.
4. There Should Be Frequent Hydration
Provide your pet with adequate access to water on the journey. It is best to let the pet self-regulate its water intake, but in cases where you cannot provide a stationary water source inside the crate, you should constantly stop to give your pet some water.
5. Be Painstaking About Plane Travels
In the case where you are traveling by air, you should be attentive to the conditions your pet might be in. Sometimes pets are allowed to travel in the cabins; other times, another space is provided.
Please arrange for your smaller pets to travel in the cabin and see to it that the travel area for bigger pets is safe for them. By doing this, you are preventing travel complications like heat stroke and oxygen deprivation.
6. When Travelling By Rail Or Water
These other modes of transportation also have their pet policies. Bigger train companies have varying policies for accommodating pets. However, there are smaller train companies that allow pets on board, as well as European train companies.
Some cruise lines allow pets on board, but this usually happens for ocean crossing travels. Check to make sure your pet will be allowed in your cabin or have to travel in a separate cabin or onward kennels.
7. Adjust Their Feeding Routine
It is ideal to skip your pet’s feeding time towards the time for travel. This is because if they are fed just before the trip begins, it might upset their stomach. Skipping meals for pets will prevent them from getting sick.
8. Prepare For Emergencies
Alarming situations such as a pet getting lost are not far-fetched. However, as a pet owner, you can adequately prepare for such unforeseen situations by getting a GPS pet tracker and ensuring your pet’s identification chip is up-to-date.