Pet travel safety is essential to any long or medium-length trip, and even just driving to the vet. Whether it’s across the state, the country, or even the globe, knowing how to travel safely with a pet is important for the success of the trip and the health of the pet alike.
Reasons for Pet Travel
Sometimes bringing your pet on vacation is a choice. The dog is part of the family, and the family’s renting a cabin for a week. Of course the dog will come! Other times, however, it’s not so much a choice as a necessity. Some animals cannot be left under the care of others due to health or emotional issues, or perhaps no one is available to care for them, especially if there was not much notice or time to prepare for your trip.
No matter the occasion, the safety requirements of pet travel safety are the same. There are two essential components to safe pet travel: the journey itself and safety while away from home. We’ll look at the basic needs and issues in each of these categories.
Pet Transportation
First, safe transportation of your pet. Every journey has different logistics, but one constant remains: pet travel carriers. Even if you are just driving, pet travel carriers are essential to transporting your pet safely. Air travel with pets requires it, and you’ll need to check with the airline to learn specific airline pet travel requirements.
It’s also important to keep a collar and identification tags on your pet at all times, even inside the carrier. Pet micro-chipping for safety is also a good idea, both on vacation and at home. In the car, make sure the pet is leashed and the leash is secure in your hand before ever opening a door for a mid-journey pit-stop.
If your pet gets especially anxious while traveling and you are concerned for its safety, ask your veterinarian about the possibility of a temporary sedative or prescription muscle relaxer. These aren’t for every animal and should not be used during the whole vacation, but can help keep your pet calm and safe during the actual travel portions of your trip.
Pet Safety Away From Home
Pets can become disoriented and stressed out while away from home, which can cause safety and health issues, so providing consistency and a comfortable environment is important. Bring food bowls, toys, and sleeping materials that are familiar to your pet. Hold your pet accountable to the same rules with regards to behavior, boundaries, and furniture. If you’re staying in a home with pets, make sure all animals are comfortable with any shared space; otherwise, divide them so each has a safe ‘territory’ they can feel is their own.
Finally, do not let your pet run free. Even if it has never run away outside, a new environment can cause pets to behave strangely, and your pet may not know how to find its way back in a strange place. Safe pet travel relies on consistency, so these steps can go a long way to helping you travel safely with pets.
