8 Tips for travelling with your pet

Here at Animal Friends we love to holiday with our pets, but it isn’t just about hopping into a car and setting off into the sunset. You’ll need to prepare for both your journey, and the one your pet will make; pets that aren’t used to travelling long distances will have needs and requirements to make their journey as relatively easy as possible and cause little discomfort. The following tips will help you prepare for a great vacation with your pet.

Planning

You should never assume a hotel/resort/campsite is pet friendly, as turning up to a location you’ve already booked and paid for before finding out your poor pooch isn’t allowed to stay is a sure fire way to ruin a good holiday mood. Look for pet friendly locations in the area you wish to stay, and make sure you take enough familiar items (such as foods, toys and bedding) so that your pet will feel at home.

 A Visit to the Vet

If you plan on leaving the country, or crossing foreign borders, then a visit to your vet is mandatory beforehand. If you do plan on going abroad, you should have a check-up anyway to ensure there are no major health issues which may require medication etc. Depending on your destination, your vet may be able to recommend vaccinations against disease or other serious issues, such as rabies or a certain type of parasite which the area may have.

 Pack for your Pet

You must remember to pack properly for your pet. A bowl or container with fresh water is a must, as your dog can get dehydrated on a long journey, but you should also bring their food so that a snack can be eaten along the way. You don’t want to be experimenting with new food types whilst on holiday, as an upset stomach can be unpleasant for both you and your dog. Remember that bedding, brushes and toys are all familiar things which will keep familiar scents around you dog when in a new location. Taking your dog’s medical records should be considered so that, in the case that an accident happens, you are prepared should a vet be needed.

Tags and Chips

 A dog collar with your address and the dog’s name is all well and good, but a dog that manages to run away can slip out of or lose this collar, leaving it looking like a stray. With no means to identify the dog, how can it be returned to you? A micro-chip may well be the answer. Implanted under the skin, a simple scan can reveal the encoded information such as your contact details, address and any relevant medical information that can help reunite you with your lost pet.

Practice

If planning on using a carrier or harness restraint system, practice well in advance of your departure so that the animal becomes accustomed to the new restraints. Otherwise, you may well end up with a very upset and stressed pet.

Protection While Traveling

While travelling, it is in your best interests to insure your pet is as safe as possible. You can buy harnesses which act like seat belts in the case of a crash, or even better you can secure them in a properly sized carrier. This carrier can be used when travelling by air as long as it meets the size requirements for your pet or in a car as long as it is properly secured to stop it from shifting around.

Sedatives

Many people choose to give their pet a sedative prior to traveling and this can greatly reduce the stress level of the animal. Always test the sedative on the pet well in advance to ensure there are no side effects, and if your pet is happy to be sedated – if the pet is upset after being sedated, or is confused by what is happening, then perhaps this method is not for you. There are plenty of other ways to keep your pet calm when travelling, so it is a case of what suits your pet the best.

Frequent Breaks and Down Time

A stressed out animal is an unhappy animal. When travelling by car, take frequent breaks and allow your dog to stretch and have a drink or some food, and perhaps play with them a little before continuing. This will allow your dog to calm down and unwind for a while, and maybe even look forward to journeys in the future, but beware – clever dogs may realise that being grumpy means you’ll stop for them, so schedule in break stops generously along the route, and stick to these rather than whenever the dog starts whining. If traveling by air be sure to allow plenty of quiet time for the animal to rest after a stressful trip.

Traveling with your pet can be a fun way to take a holiday, and with these few tips in mind you can have a wonderful and relaxing holiday. After all, sometimes pets need holidays too!

 

Animal Friends is looking forward to spending time on holiday with our dogs, but remember to protect your pooch with our comprehensive insurance and stop worrying about expensive vet bills. Call on0844 55 70 300 or email us at info@animalfriends.co.uk and get a quote today.