Did you know that over three-quarters of Americans who own pets have their furry friends travel with them every year? Whether your pet has anxiety or you simply don’t want to leave them behind, you can find a way to travel with them.
Want to learn about flying with a dog or traveling with a dog in a car? Here are some of the best tips for traveling with a dog to make the process smoother. You and your canine companion can feel safe during your trip.
1. Get a Comfortable Airplane Carrier
When you bring your dog on an airplane, you should make sure that they are comfy in a small space. If your dog is small, then they may be able to ride with you in the airplane cabin, rather than inside the cargo hold.
You should always check with the specific airline for the size limitations on carriers. Make sure to conform to the size limitations so that you do not have to spend extra money on a new carrier at the airport. Worse, the airline could bar you from flying with your pet.
2. Let Them Out During Road Trips
When traveling with a dog in a car, you should remember that they need to stretch their legs frequently. Try to pull over every couple of hours for a rest stop. You can let your dog out to use the bathroom in a safe location.
If you have portable water and food bowls, give your dog something to drink and a snack at every rest stop. They can feel hydrated and full so that they will be comfortable for the duration of the car ride.
Always carry disposable bags for your dog’s business if you let them relieve themselves at a rest stop. It is the best way to be considerate towards other travelers and pick up after your pet.
3. Prepare for Carsickness
You may have a friend or two that get carsick on long road trips, but did you know that pets can suffer from the same sickness? Motion sickness is common in animals that do not have experience with long road trips.
You can give your dog a light meal before leaving on the trip and avoid feeding them greasy or heavy snacks. If this is your dog’s first major road trip, try taking them on shorter trips in the car during the weeks leading up to the long car ride.
Sometimes throwing up is unavoidable with animals. For tummy trouble, give your dog ice water frequently so they will stay hydrated.
4. Bring Familiar Toys and Scents
When traveling with a dog on a plane or in a car, they may get anxious about their new surroundings. One way to combat this is by bringing their favorite toys and chewy dog treats with you. They can have a comfort object to hold onto.
You can also bring items that smell like you to lessen your pet’s anxiety. You can even put dog calming pheromones on comfort items. These scents are familiar to dogs and will reduce their anxiety.
5. Adjust the Temperature
You should be aware of your dog’s ideal temperature when traveling with a dog in a car. Keep your pooch hydrated with plenty of water to cool them off. Ensure your car’s air conditioner and heater work before embarking on a road trip with your canine companion.
When you get out at a rest stop, even for a minute, do not leave your dog in a hot car without the windows down. The temperature can rise very quickly and, in desert areas, be fatal.
6. Restrain Them in the Car
Although you may be tempted to let your dog stick their head out the window, this could be dangerous in areas with high levels of pollution. It is best to keep your dog restrained with a carrier or even a harness that connects to the seat, just make sure you get a high resistant leash to prevent accidents, you can find these easily online on sites like Neewa.
7. Know Animal Quarantine Laws
When traveling internationally with a dog, you need to look up the animal quarantine laws before you travel. Some countries have strict quarantine regulations that require your dog to stay in a separate facility for a designated period of time.
If you only plan to travel for a week or so, then it may not be worth it to take your dog with you to an area with strict quarantine rules. However, for a trip that is several weeks or longer, the time spent in the quarantine may well be worth it to avoid a long-term pet sitter.
You should also get a copy of your dog’s vet record before you leave and keep them up to date on any vaccinations that are overdue.
8. Check Pet Policies
Before you book your trip, you need to check your accommodations to see if they have a pet policy. If you do a search, you can usually filter your results to view only pet friendly hotels. Even with dog friendly hotels, there may be size limitations or breed restrictions, depending on the policy at the hotel.
If you can’t find any more information on the hotel website, you can give them a call to verify. It is better to know ahead of time and plan for something different than have to make last-minute changes to your hotel reservations.
Use These Tips for Traveling with a Dog
You should not have to worry about keeping your canine safe and happy during your trip. With these tips for traveling with a dog, you can have the best vacation possible without having to worry about getting a pet sitter.
Want more travel tricks? Check out our site for all of the information you will need for your next vacation.