How to Safely Travel with Your Pets

Pets and travel do not always mix well. However, sometimes you are left no choice but to take your pet beyond what lies outside the pet door. When you do, it is important to take a few steps that can make the travel time less stressful for you and your pet. Many of the things you do may not seem like a big deal to you, but they can mean a world of difference to your pet as a travel companion.

Consider Leaving Them at Home

No matter what you do, travel creates high levels of anxiety for some pets. Rather than taking them with you, try to find someone to take care of them while you are gone. This should not be a person who just stops by for a few minutes to feed your pet. Instead, they should be able to spend some time offering comfort and encouragement as well as meeting basic needs.

General Travel Tips

If you absolutely have to take your pet with you, there are some general travel tips that can be helpful in almost any travel situation. Again, these may seem like minor things to you, but can be very helpful to your pet.

• About a month before you travel, start using some of the tips listed here. Then they won’t be such a big deal when you use them to travel with your pet.
• Create multiple forms of identification. Your pet should wear a collar with an I.D. tag, have an I.D. tag on their crate or carrier, and you should have a photo of your pet. Installing a microchip can also be helpful if your pet gets lost.
• Trim nails and fur to prevent them from getting caught on anything and to prevent your pet from being uncomfortable when they don’t need to be.
• Rely on a carrier or crate rather than a seat belt or just a leash.
• Don’t feed your pet within 6 hours of traveling.

Car Safety

Many pet owners make two common mistakes.  First, they let their pets sit in the front seat with their head out the window. This is great fun for your pet, but puts them in more danger than necessary from flying debris or injuries from a car accident. Instead, put your pet in the backseat, preferably in a crate or carrier. This keeps them away from air bag dangers and also offers them more protection than a seatbelt can provide. Try not to leave your pet alone in the back seat, and let him or her out for a walk or potty break when you stop.

Plane Safety

Let the airline know that you have a pet so they can offer you options. It’s best if you can keep your pet with you, but you may have to put him or her in the cargo area. If they do need to be in the cargo area, ask about temperature control and breaks. Remember that they can’t just go out the pet door to use the bathroom. You might also try to get a direct flight so your pet does not have to experience the added anxiety of transferring planes.

Visit Australia Pet Doors today to learn more about pet travel options and elements.