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If you own a pet, be it a cat, dog or other animal, traveling can be difficult. On extended stays, you may need to find a pet sitter, spend large amounts of money and worry about your pet. Thankfully, due to advances in veterinary science and technology, you can take your pet with you while you travel. By following a few simple tips, your pet is sure to have as much fun on a road trip as you will.
Speak with Your Vet – One of the most important things to do if you’re planning on bringing your pet with you on a trip is to speak with your regular veterinarian. He or she will typically have a medical history for your pet, and he or she will be usually able to recommend the right medicines to ensure that your pet remains calm and happy throughout your trip.
Purchase a Travel Kennel – Pets can tend to get worked up during travel, even after being given pharmaceutical medicines. To assist in keeping your pet calm and contained during travel, you may wish to invest in a travel kennel. A travel kennel is usually constructed from strong plastics, which will ensure that your pet does not wander around your vehicle while you’re driving. Try to find a blanket and favorite toy for your pet to place inside the travel kennel to keep them company.
Walk Pets Often – Just like humans, animals need to use the bathroom often, so make sure to stop every few hours to walk your pet. Many rest stops on highways and interstates offer pet-friendly zones which are designed especially for common pets to use the bathroom in. If your pet is house broken, it’s a good idea to stop every four hours, but if your pet is not house broken, you may want to stop at shorter intervals.
Remember, your pet needs attention too, especially on long drives. You may want to stop every few hours to caress and reassure the pet in your life. Some pets develop separation anxiety while on long trips, so by stopping and spending time with your pet, you can help to alleviate the symptoms of this problem. You should also ensure that your pet has plenty of food and water for the journey. If you want to save money, fill up your pet’s water bowl or bottle at a rest stop using a drinking fountain instead of bottled water.
