Traveling with pets can be stressful if you are not prepared. Being prepared for your upcoming travels will keep you and your pet happy and stress-free! Maybe you’re wanting to plan a road trip with a dog or cat and are wondering what next steps to take in planning. Always remember that your pets safety needs to come first and take all measures to make sure him or her is safe at all times.
Tips for Traveling with Pets
Have a Plan
Having a plan in place will help to prevent any hiccups along the way. If you are traveling by air, bus or train you will want to find out the policy for bringing pets. If you will be traveling by car and staying at hotels, make your reservations in advance.
Do Your Research
It can be hard to find hotels that allow pets in the room. Knowing ahead of time whether your hotel allows it or not will save you a lot of frustration. You might also want to consider locating dog parks in areas you will be traveling.
Do a Test Run
Before you leave on your trip do a small test run. Go on a day trip with your pet to see how they do in the car. This will let you see if you need to make any adjustments to your trip. This will also give you a good idea of how often you need to stop and if your pet gets car sick. If you find that your pet does get indeed get car sick, talk to your vet about your options.
Take Breaks
If you are taking a long road trip make sure to take frequent breaks. Animals need to stretch, get in a little exercise, drink water (these pet travel bowls come in handy!), eat and relieve themselves. Keeping your pet cooped up in the car for to long will make them restless and possibly hard to deal with. Taking breaks will make your trip more enjoyable for you and your pet.
Visit the Vet
Prior to going on your trip set up an appointment with your veterinarian. You will want to get your pet a physical to ensure they are healthy enough to travel. You will also want to have a record of all vaccinations your pet has received. If your pet is behind on their vaccinations, this is a great time to get them up to date. (*Remember to save on vet visits by having pet insurance. Get your FREE Quotes!)
Use Restraints
You will want to ensure that your pet is safe while traveling. You can use a pet harness, crate or pet carrier. Make sure whatever system you are using is well ventilated and offers your pet a little room to move around. Make sure you have a leash available before you remove your pet from the restraint. Pets are often excited when you go to them and you would not want your pet to run out into traffic.
We hope you enjoyed reading these pet travel tips!
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The views expressed across the blog are the opinion of the author and not necessarily endorsed by Pet Insurance Fast. Always consult your veterinarian for professional advice.
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