Pet Friendly

Travelling with your pet

Those that have been lucky enough to find pet friendly accommodation will not only be packing their own suitcases, but also those of their pets.  Here are a few tips to help make that journey more comfortable for both you and your pet.

Familiarity

For those animals used to travelling with their owners, then the holiday journey should hold no fears.  However, for those pets, which have never been on holiday before, unless familiarised with the idea, the trip could be somewhat traumatic.

If the only journeys your animal has been on end at the vet, where it invariably gets a needle stuck into it, then it will associate all trips with a negative experience.  To combat this, and well before your intended departure date, take your pet for short journeys, so that it realises that not all trips have an unpleasant ending.

Training

Before actually taking to the road get your novice car traveller used to actually being in the car.  Start by persuading your dog to take a short nap, perhaps after its daily walk, in a stationary vehicle.  This will help your dog get used to being confined in the part of the car that you want it to travel in, and help curb excitement.  Do ensure that your car is parked in a shady spot, and away from distractions.  This exercise may also help to curb travel sickness, as anxiety and fear of the unknown often brings this on.

It is also wise to train your dog to jump in and out of the car ‘on command’

Safety

For safety’s sake it is a good idea to confine a dog behind a dog-guard, particularly if it is large and active.  A dog leaping from side to side in a moving car is not only a distraction for the driver, and unpleasant for the other passengers, but could also cause an accident.  A well-behaved, moderately restrained dog makes for a happier journey all round.

In the case of a cat or a small dog, it is safest to get them used to travelling in a special pet carrier.  Cats, as a rule, do not like travelling, and may try to make a break for freedom if they are not confined in a carrier.  Likewise they are particularly adept at getting into inaccessible places if left to roam, and again could cause an unnecessary accident.

Before any car journeys are undertaken, however, do get your pet used to the idea of the carrier, and then progress to the travel training

Travelling

On the day of the journey ensure that your pets are placed in a secure area or room before you start to pack the car.  Many holidays have been delayed by a frantic search of the garden and neighbourhood, when the guest of honour has decided to go walkabout.

For dogs, place some comfy bedding in the area you want it to travel, perhaps with a favourite toy and a water bowl that has a non-spill lid, filled with water.  Put the dog in, let it settle, and let the journey begin.

For those pets travelling in carriers, ensure that the carrier is placed in the car where it will not slide forward should you make an emergency stop.  Better still, secure it with a seat belt, and urge the driver to drive as if he were carrying a very nervous passenger.  Never place the carrier in the boot of the car, as it is dark, noisy, airless and smells of petrol.

If possible, try to avoid travelling during the heat of the day, but travel either early morning or evening.  If you do have to travel through the day, help to keep your dog cool by regularly spraying it with water from a spray bottle.

Motion sickness

Some dogs and cats never get used to the idea of travelling, and find it particularly stressful.  There are a whole host of herbal and homoeopathic remedies which will help, but seek advice from your veterinarian.

Frequent stops

Whenever you stop to stretch your legs and relieve yourself, don’t forget your pets.  They too will appreciate a quick leg stretch and some fresh air.  This is when having trained your dog only to jump in and out of the car ‘on command’ will help!

Before leaving the car, with the doors and windows closed, put your cat on a harness and lead.  Only when it is securely fastened should you leave the car.  Let your cat walk on the grass or bare earth, or use a litter tray.

Tin oven

Do not leave your pets in a car alone even for a short time.  On a warm day the temperature inside a car can reach 57 degrees within minutes.  Even having the windows open, and parking in the shade, will not help your pet once the temperature begins to rise.  Dogs don’t sweat - their only way of cooling off is to pant.  When the inside of a car reaches a higher temperature than your pet’s body temperature, then panting will do no good.

Arrival

On arrival at your final destination take your pet out, in the same way as you did whilst travelling, and let it relieve itself and settle down.  Put it in a secure and quiet place whilst you unpack, and only when you have closed all the doors allow it to familiarise itself with its new surroundings.  Feeding your pet will help it to feel more at home, and try to keep it to its normal routine.

Things to take with you to make the journey, and your holiday, more comfortable for you and your pet:-

Water bowl and water – many dogs will not drink unaccustomed water whilst travelling

Pet food and food bowl

Blankets and bedding

Toys and grooming equipment

Collar and lead for your dog – with an identity tag

Harness and lead for your cat – also with an identity tag

Litter and litter tray – cats prefer to use their usual facilities

Travel sickness remedies

First aid kit (check with your own vet to see what your kit should contain)

Sunscreen – yes, even cats and dogs need it, especially those that are white

Old towels – for drying your dog off after it has been swimming