It can be very stressful when travelling with your dog if you do not take the necessary precautions and are not prepared for everything in advance, and the first thing that you would want to do is to go to your vet and get a checkup on your dog to ensure that they are well physically and mentally, and are good at travelling, and vaccinating them if necessary. You should also buy crates and never leave them alone and take necessary precautions whether you are travelling by car or by plane.
Use a Pet Carrier or Crate
You should invest in crates as it is a good way to keep your dog safe. When travelling by plane, you are required to keep a crate for your dog, and it also lets your dog stay in place and prevents them from getting into things that they shouldn’t. You should also get a crate that is big enough for your dog to move around in, and you can also add some mattresses to it so that your dog can stay there comfortably.
Never Leave Your Dog Alone in the Car
Never let your dog be alone in a car, as it is very dangerous. In the summer, the heat can cause the temperature of the car to spike, while in the winter, the temperatures can drop and can cause your dog to freeze. Many animal welfare organizations, along with the ASPCA, have advised against this.
Travelling by Plane
You should also first check to see if your dog can even travel by plane, as not all dogs can travel by air. Some dogs also have some chronic conditions because flying makes them feel distressed, so you should avoid flying with them too. Some airlines do not even let certain breeds, like pit bulls and American bulldogs to travel on their planes either. Some dogs cannot fly in the cargo of planes, like bulldogs and boxers, which have flat faces as it can lead to health problems, which can be risky to these dogs, so be careful about that. You should also keep in mind your dog’s temper, as some dogs start barking ferociously when they see strangers or are separated from their owners for too long, and this can cause a lot of fellow passengers to have a disturbed flight.
Precautions When Travelling By Car
When travelling by car for too long, make sure to take breaks in between. Your dog will thank you for being able to get out of the car and for being able to use the bathroom and stretch its legs. You should also not let the windows down, as even though it seems cute at first when your dog has its head out the window and seems to be enjoying the breeze, it can be quite dangerous for your dog’s eyes, as sand and debris can enter them. It can also be dangerous if the dog harness opens and your dog jumps out the window, so be careful about this. Of course, when driving, you should also follow a safe speed limit so that you do not crash into your car and keep yourself and your dog safe.
Groom Before You Go
You should also ensure that before travelling, you make sure that your dog is clean and looks tidy. When travelling by plane, especially, you do not want to upset fellow passengers by having a stinking dog. So, bathe your dog, and clean its fur and nicely brush it so that it is pleasing to look at. You should also trim its nails so that it does not feel uncomfortable when travelling and so that it is not dangerous to others. You should also clean its eyes and ears so that you can get rid of any debris and your dog stays healthy and does not cause infection to other animals too. If you feel like you cannot do this by yourself, you can also get your pet groomed by someone else, like in pet grooming in San Jose.
Never Let Your Dog Roam Freely
Upon reaching your destination, do not let your dog go off alone as it is new and unfamiliar to the place, and does not know what is going on, so it is likely that they will feel anxious or stressed out. You can make them wear invisible fence collars that alert them when they are going off perimeters so that you and your dog can be alerted and stay within limits.
Conclusion
You can also take your dogs on a cruise where they can be cared for by a kennel master or even on trains where they have their compartments, and the dog policies depend on the country you are traveling in. It can seem stressful at first, but if you take the necessary steps, travelling with your dog can be very fun.
