For some people, a holiday travel is no fun without the company of their four-legged members of the family. Road trip can be stressful, both for you and your pet. With proper planning and preparation, you can ensure a convenient and safe travel for everyone. Traveling with a pet on a road trip takes more than just keeping the animal in the passenger seat and heading out especially if you’ll be driving long distance. Here are some safety tips to help you prepare for a safe car travel with your favorite pet.
- Ensure that your pets are kept in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. There are different kinds of carriers available in the market including wire mesh, soft-sided and hard plastic. Regardless of the type you choose, make sure it is large enough to allow ample space for your pet to sit, stand, turn around and lie down in. Also, try to make sure your pet gets used to the crate in the comfort of your home before embarking on your trip so as not to make them feel uneasy.
- Prepare your pets for the long distance travel by taking them on a series of short drives around the city first. Make sure the carrier is well secured so it won’t slide whenever you make a quick stop.
- Feed your furry friend with a light meal a few hours before motoring-off. Do not feed your pet while on the road trip even if it is a long drive.
- Do not forget never to leave your pet alone in your parked car regardless of the weather conditions. In hot weather, your pet can develop a heatstroke while in cold weather, the animal can possibly freeze to death.
- Make sure your pet does not ride with his head sticking outside the vehicle’s window to avoid sustaining serious injury which may be caused by a flying object. Make sure he’s attached to a seat buckle
- Your pet also has to be medically fit enough for travel. If you are not sure of your pet’s health status, consult an animal doctor to run a check on him. During this process, let the animal doctor know the specific threats that may exist in the destination you’re headed. Make sure the vaccination is current.
- Use a microchip and a pet tag displaying your phone number on your dog for ease of identification
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