Tips for Traveling with Your Pets
Traveling with your pet presents a unique set of challenges. You have to make sure your pets are safe, comfortable, and not too stressed during your travels. Caring for a pet while you are traveling will be different depending on the pet, but there are some common themes for safe travels with your pet.
Crates, Harnesses, and Safety
One of the biggest challenges pet owners have when traveling with their animal companions is their safety in the car or vehicle. There are a few varieties of options to safely secure your pet.
Crates
The most common and versatile option for safely transporting pets is the crate. You can find crates available in all sizes and styles depending on your pet’s needs. A crate allows your pet to have their own space in the vehicle that keeps them both from escaping and will keep them safe in case of an accident.
A crate also provides a place for you to keep food and water for your pet while traveling. Especially in longer trips, it is good idea to keep food and water available for your pet in the crate.
A crate is also versatile for different types of travel. It is great for traveling by car, but can also be used if you need to transport your pet via airplane. Airlines will require the pet to be secured in a crate to travel.
Harnesses
If your animal is averse to being inside a crate, there are other options for securing your animals while you travel. Some companies make harnesses that secure your pet by clipping to a car seat belt. This keeps the animals from roaming around the car’s cabin and it keeps the pet safer in the case of an accident.
Food
Traveling means getting out of your pet’s routine, but you should try to keep their food routine the same. Buying quality food and keeping them within their routine will help minimize any digestive problems that can happen with traveling.
For some good ideas on quality food for your pet, here are 10 of the best kinds of pet food brand.
Easing Anxiety
Traveling induces anxiety in a lot of animals. If your pets experience anxiety during travel, there are some things you can to do help ease anxiety.
Put something comfortable from home in their crate. Does your pet have a favorite blanket, pillow, or bed they use at home? Bring that with you while you travel to help your animal feel more secure. The item will smell like them and like home which can help ease anxiety about being away from home.
Bringing along toys can help keep your pet occupied and distracted while traveling. This can help manage anxiety by keeping your pet busy.
There are also herbal products to help ease anxiety in pets while traveling. Green tea supplements and CBD oil have both proven effective to ease anxiety in some pets. If your pet experiences extreme anxiety, talk to your vet about possible sedating them during travel.
