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Keeping pets has grown quite popular in recent times. People who own pets will tell you that making travel plans (for either business or pleasure) involves making a decision whether to bring the pet with you or leave them under the care of an animal boarding facility.
Most pet owners, however, grow so fond of their pets that they would rather travel with them wherever they go than leave them behind. This, therefore, calls for preparation for a pet-friendly trip. This article provides you with a pet travel tips checklist for this preparation.
1. Identification Tags
Pets cannot identify themselves. No matter the mode of travel chosen, it is necessary to tag your pet with proper identification before heading out. This would help ensure your pet finds their way back to you in case you get separated. It also helps prevent confusion between owners in cases where two pets could resemble each other
2. Permanent Identification for the Pet
The wise say that you can never be too cautious. In addition to tagging your pet with the necessary identification tags, it is recommended for you to fit them with a more permanent mode of identification, such as a microchip. This would also help in tracking of your pet in case they wander off or you become separated.
3. Train Them While They are Young
It is important for you to train your pet while they are still young because animals take some time to completely master commands and expected behaviour. You should train them remain calm during travel, and correctly respond to commands. A reward system is highly recommended as it helps the lessons learned stick more. If you have more than one pet, it is advised you train them separately.
4. Secure Your Pet for Their Safety
After training the pet, most people assume it is safe to let them wander around the car/plane during travel. This is however wrong. Just like people, pets could get injured when the vessel of travel assumes a sudden movement or in the case of an accident. It is therefore recommended to crate the pet to keep them safe.
5. Choose a Suitable Travel Crate
Carriers made using fabric are a good option to transport your pet. Plastic pet carriers, however, are preferred for their versatility as they offer safety for different modes of travel.
6. Pets and Cars
Pets such as dogs and cats are fast and agile. They will therefore naturally make use of these abilities when their safety is threatened. It is, therefore, important to ensure the pet feels safe and comfortable throughout the trip.
7. Sedating the Pet
Pets, like all other humans, tend to grow anxious when exposed in an unfamiliar setting. Sedating them could help ease their anxiety and save them from trauma and even accidents that result from fear.
8. Carry a First Aid Pet Kit
We can never tell if or when accidents may happen. The best way to counter this is being ready just in case they happen. Pet owners are advised to carry a pet first-aid kit that includes bandages, gauze, and hydrogen peroxide just in case inducing vomit is necessary. You should also always follow steps given by an animal health care specialist first before personally treating your pet from suspected exposure to toxins.
9. Carry Pet Food and Water
Unexpected events such as train delays are inevitable. So during travel preparation, it is important that the pet owner puts this into consideration and packs extra food and water for the pet just in case these events happen.
10. Be Extra Cautious
Regardless of how well you know your pet, you can never tell how they are going to react to new stimuli. Your cat, for example, may decide to seek refuge between your legs while driving after hearing a loud noise such as a truck honking. This could result in a fatal accident, and hence it is strongly advised that you keep your pet safe at all times during the trip.
11. Dealing With a Dog During Air Travel
Most airlines will allow you to carry your pet in the cabin of the plane only if the pet fits in the pet carrier under the seat. It is a requirement that the size of the pet will allow it to stand and move in the carrier. You will also be required to pack a few essentials for the dog, such as a poop bag, a water bottle, a collapsible bowl, a recent picture of the dog, and a leash.
The above tips mainly focus on safety and wellbeing of your pet during travel. It is, therefore, important that preliminary safety precautions, such as ensuring your pet is in a good physical state to travel, are observed. It is also important to make sure that the destination of travel is free from animal diseases such as rabies. By following the above tips, travelling with pets becomes less of a hassle and a comfortable experience.
