The winter upon us, at least in the northern hemisphere. It’s time to seek new adventures, and open the year with a trip to your favorite destination. Travel will be in the cards for many, but if you are a pet parent, getting him/her ready for the road can be a stressful experience. It’s a bummer to leave your furry friend behind, especially when you’re planning a vacation. But with proper planning and preparation, you can ensure that your pet accompanies you on your adventures and that everyone can have a good time.
From finding the right supplies to pet-friendly accommodations and modes of transport, you can make your trip a tremendous success and enjoy a fun-filled vacation with your beloved pet. Here are a few tips that can make the journey with your pet completely stress-free.
A Quick Trip to the Veterinarian Before Your Travels
Before you buckle up for the long journey, it’s always wise to take your pet for a quick health check-up with your veterinarian. Speak to your vet and ensure that your pet is up to date with vaccinations and is healthy for travel. You should also ask your vet to prescribe any emergency medicine for car sickness that your pet might have to endure during the trip. After all, we want our companion to be as healthy as possible for the entire ride.
Packing Essentials for Your Pet
Bring everything essential to your pet’s well-being. This includes:
- Fresh water
- Pet food (nothing new. Stick with their normal food!)
- First aid kit, which includes their medications if any
- Treats
- Bowl
- Leash
- Crate
- Collar with their identification tag
- Picture of your pet
Ensure that there is ample water and their regular pet food so that your furry partner doesn’t have any unnecessary stomach upset. Be mindful of any car sickness or inconvenience to your pet and if they feel nauseated, use the medicine from your vet to calm them.
Do not forget to carry a crate if your pet is crate trained. They are a great way to keep your pet feeling safe and are extremely handy in many circumstances as you go from place to place. Always look for crates that are large enough to accommodate your pet. The crate should be strong and easily portable, which allows for ventilation on both sides.
Always attach an identification tag to your pet’s collar. This tag should have your name, your contact number and your pet’s name in case they wander far off from the vehicle. In addition to that, if you travel often it might be a good idea to make sure your pet is micro-chipped.
Microchip gives an added sense of security and relief while traveling with your pet. If you lose track of your pet because of any unforeseen circumstance, do not panic. When found, the pet will be instantly taken to a vet or a shelter. Once there, they will be scanned for a microchip. Ensure that the microchip is updated with your current information details so that the vet or the concerned person can reach out and help you reunite with your pet.
Book Early at a Pet-Friendly Accommodation
While booking a place to spend the night, be sure that pets are welcome at that spot. You can always ask friends and family for suggestions, but be on the lookout for new rentals or services that offer more perks for your pet. Look at different websites that offer listings of pet-friendly places. If you still want to explore more options, you can reach out to various communities on social media that provide cheaper options during your travel season.
It’s best to look for a place where your pet can run and play. Being cooped up in the car, even though it may be exciting, can make your pet antsy and in need of some exercise and sniffing around. Hence, a small cottage with a garden, or a quaint apartment with a common area where your furry companion can find new friends will only enhance the vacation experience for you and your pet.
Choosing the Best Mode of Transport
Like humans, dogs can also have a fear of flying. Before booking a flight ticket to your destination, check with the vet if your pet is a candidate for traveling by air. Airlines have clear policies for pets. They want the owners to verify the pet’s health and require a certification of health before travel. So it’s always better to check the airlines' website and carefully read the restrictions and requirements for travel with pets.
When your pet is too big to ride in the passenger cabin with you, they will be pushed to the cargo area. This makes it extremely important for you to choose a pet carrier that is well-ventilated and meets the airlines' requirements.
The other option is to fill up the tank of your car and take to the road with your pet. This way, you have the freedom to take breaks during the journey at your convenience and can be more relaxed with your pet. Having your vehicle will also be beneficial to reduce the anxiety of your pet which they might face from traveling via air or train.
Keeping Your Pet Safe on the Journey
While taking the road with your pets, choosing a pet-friendly route to your destination will go a long way to make the journey memorable. Check the maps and plan your journey accordingly. Look for stores, hospitals, and petrol pumps on your route so that you can smoothly navigate out of an unwanted situation, like a flat tire, if it ever comes your way.
It can be hard to leave empty space when you’re packing for a trip because there is always that extra “thing” that might come in handy. However, you really should give your pet some room to move around in your car, rather than packing them tightly between bags or coolers. This allows the pet to be somewhat mobile even in a relatively confined space and be at ease. Keep an eye on them and do not let them hang their head out of the car for too long.
If you are getting out of your vehicle, do not leave your pet unattended for long, and never in an unfit temperature. Take them along with you or always monitor them if they can’t accompany you. Never leave them out of your sight if you can help it.
Take Breaks in the Journey to Play With Your Pet
Traveling can be tiresome, especially when you are on the road heading to a far-off destination. To make the trip with your pet fun and interesting, plan for stops on the way. Park your vehicle and let your pet free for a bit. Let them run around in the open countryside while you click their pictures in joy.
Bring their favorite toys on the journey. This will help them stay active, alert, and stimulated on the trip. When in the open, play fetch with them and reward them with the treats that you have brought on the trip. This is where FAB CBD Dog Treats will come in handy. They are soft yet crunchy and come in a fun apple and peanut butter flavor which your pet will thoroughly enjoy.
If you’ve never used CBD treats before, add that into your consultation with your vet before leaving. It’s always best to check with your vet before giving CBD treats to your pet. Remember that the goal of thinking ahead and preparing is to make your pet comfortable and at ease with the adventure.
A Trip with Your Pets: Final Thoughts
The memories of trips and adventures last for a lifetime, if you do them right. The tips mentioned above are not exhaustive. You can add to or alter these tips as per your needs, but remember, on a journey, health and safety are of paramount importance. Have fun, seek new horizons, let your pet sniff and explore new grounds, open yourself up to new experiences, and make fresh memories with your furry friend and travel buddy.
