Traveling long distances can be stressful, and adding a drooling sick dog, a shivering pet, or a loud carry-on puppy to the scene may make it even more difficult for you. If you are planning to go on a trip in the near future, you are likely thinking, “What about my dog?”
You have choices like hiring a pet sitter, boarding your dog, or even having your pet on your trip if you’re feeling courageous enough to go that route. When you plan your next trip with your dog, it is crucial to consider their temperament, health, and past travel experiences.
Travel Preparation Involving Pets
There’s nothing better than driving the open road with your beloved pet, which is more accurate in the case of a pet with four legs, a tail, and whiskers. Take note of the following tips if you’re going on a trip and want to bring your pet.
1. Pre-veterinary Visit
Make an appointment for your dog’s veterinary care before you depart. Airlines need medical certificates for pets at least ten days before your flight. Therefore, make sure your pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Some dogs are not capable of traveling, so you must consult your vet to determine if they’re suitable for boarding or any other alternative.
An ideal veterinary care facility can accommodate both cats and dogs. If you want to try the services offered by a cat & dog veterinary care facility, you need to look up the internet and search for facilities near your area.
2. Train Your Pet
A well-trained dog makes traveling much easy and safer for all. You can use rewards and praise to help encourage your dog to perform well throughout your journey by reinforcing important travel rules by providing positive reinforcement. You can tell your dog “Wait” before leaving the car, so it won’t leap out and run around. Be sure that your dog can associate their cage or safety harness with their favorite goodies and toys so that it becomes a joyous moment for them. Begin to train your dog yourself or with a professional long before your trip.
3. Practice Safety
Never let your pet ride in the front seat of your car. Keep your pet’s head in the vehicle at all times. Despite their love for hair blowing in the wind, they are at risk of developing eye or ear injuries and infections. Never leave your dogs unsupervised when driving. In less than a half-hour, even on a sunny day, the temperature inside your automobile could reach dangerous levels.
For your veterinary surgical needs, you can get in touch with them by typing in “veterinary surgery near me” in your search bar and checking the best results available in your area.
4. Prepare for Emergency
Be prepared for the worst scenario; for instance, your dog is lost or suffering from a medical problem. Whatever distance you are from your home, the microchip and your identification can help you quickly and safely return to your pet. The pet’s current identification tags must be affixed to its collar even when you’re absent from the home. Create a list of all the emergency veterinary clinics you visit during your trip and destination and write down their contact numbers and addresses and learn more about their service and procedures offered.
5. Be patient
It is not possible to predict all problems that may arise during your travels, nor will you be able to anticipate your pet’s behavior in a stressful situation. Keep a positive attitude not just for your pet but also for yourself throughout the ups and downs of your travels. Take time to enjoy the experience, and don’t forget about making some lasting memories on the way.