Traveling with pets, especially dogs who are generally exuberant and energetic by nature can be quite the task to accomplish. Each dog has his/her own personality and while some can be tolerant and patient during traveling, many usually panic or act out of character especially if they are restrained or given medication to put them to sleep. As with any other aspect of your travel details, you need an effective plan in place if your best friend/dog is to accompany you.
It Is All In The Prep
Traveling with your dog is all about preparing properly not just before your road trip or flight but also several days or weeks prior. Your dog needs to be accustomed to the idea of having a change in its routine and having to behave with little or no exercise for hours at a time.
- If you are going on a flight with your dog take the time to research and look for the perfect pet carrier paying special attention to its size and how comfortable it is likely to be. Like a good pair of shoes, the carrier should also be ‘broken in’ and your dog should be left to sleep or eat in it for at least several days before the trip itself. Furthermore, the crate/carrier should be lined with soft materials that are also absorbent.
- In the days and weeks before the trip do a comprehensive rehearsal with your pet such as taking them on shorter day trips and getting them used to stop at gas stations etc to use the bathroom or eat snacks.
- On the day of your trip give your dog food that he/she is used to, do not try any new treats to keep his/her stomach from getting overwhelmed. Stress can also cause gut problems and you want your dog to be as calm and relaxed as possible. Take your dog for a long walk so he/she can use up all their excess energy and endure being in transit all the better. Using a soft vegan leather dog collar before and during the trip can add to the overall comfort your dog feels.
Pet-Friendly Destinations
A worthwhile consideration is to have knowledge beforehand of how comfortable your intended destination will be for your dog. There are pet-friendly hotels and motels in different countries so if possible book one of those so you have no problems upon landing. You can also search for ‘dog friendly holiday cottages’ when looking for somewhere to stay.
If you are staying in an Air BnB, the owner will most probably be using vacation rental software to manage their property and many advertisements do feature details such as ‘pet-friendly apartment’ or ‘pets allowed’ so keep your eye out for that. Even paying extra is justified so that your best pal can enjoy their trip alongside you!
Since you will be in an unfamiliar location your pet could also act in a bizarre way so make sure they are wearing contact details on their collar and some pet owners even go so far as to have microchip implants installed so that if the dog runs away or is lured away they can be found.
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