Travelling is a lot of fun, especially when your companion is your new furry friend. There are plenty of things that one needs to plan before a trip, keeping your adorable pet in mind. As a pet owner, one must make the journey comfortable and stress free by packing right, checking hotel policies, and training your pet for the trip. Whether traveling by road or flying, going for a short or long duration, there are a lot of measures to take into account before carrying a pet along.

Here is a list of seven essential tips to consider before beginning your voyage.

1. Get your pet's health check-up done

Dogs, cats, hamsters, or any other pet can face health issues at any point in their life. It is a good idea to get their health check-up done to minimize and avoid the spread of any possible infectious diseases. Visit a USDA-accredited veterinary doctor who can examine the pet and help with other travel formalities. The veterinary check-up will ensure that your pet is physically adept for the travel adventure. The vet will physically examine the pet and ask you a series of questions about your pet like it's diet, routine, behavior, habits, and bowel patterns. Based on the data collected and your travel destination, the vet will recommend specific medications and treatments like vaccinations, nutrition, parasite control, etc. Besides these, the veterinarian will also address what travel style suits your pet. Also, your veterinarian will issue a health certificate that will state that the pet is healthy and safe for travel.

The health certificate is an integral part of the paperwork involved in getting through the security in an airport. The airport officials look for the vaccination dates and certificates from an accredited vet. Getting all documentation on the point will ensure a hassle-free flight entry.

2. Microchip

It is terrifying to even think of losing your new pet in an unfamiliar place. Pet collars are easy to lose, damage, or remove, which makes it challenging to find the pet if they lose the collar. That is why getting the pet an id in the form of a microchip is a great idea. Microchips will let the owner track and unite with their animal safely. Microchips are small, electronic chips that have a unique id number, which is read by a scanner. Most veterinary offices provide microchip implantation. A large number of animals are acceptable for microchipping. When an animal shelter/veterinarian finds a lost pet, they can scan the microchip to retrieve the id number and the company maintaining the microchip. The veterinarian can get the owner's contact information by calling the microchip company. The chip can last for a lifetime, but it is crucial to keep updating the contact details of the owner.

There is no pain or discomfort caused during an implantation process. It is pain-free, and the microchip lays beneath the pet's skin.

3. A comfortable crate

Choosing a comfortable crate for your pet is an essential step for the safe travel of your pet, especially when traveling by car. When driving on the road, you can't afford a distraction from your pet. The crate should come with protection and other functions like water supply, food, and a urine pan that makes your travel tension free. If your car is already packed with your stuff, then you can carry the excess accessories, including your pet food and accessories, on the roof rack of your vehicle.

Buying a comfortable pet crate will ensure that your pet relaxes happily, whether in a car or a plane. It is more suited to provide your pet a crate with a confined space where it will feel secure; otherwise, it will keep sliding around.

While at home, you can give your pet lots of toys to play with. But while traveling, you must carry only a few toys that they love to play with. Packing their toys in their crate can make it difficult for them to move around. So, the lesser the toys, the better. Also, remember to attach your pet's identification to the crate to avoid misplacement.

4. Pet-friendly accommodations

Choosing a pet-friendly accommodation can be challenging because each hotel has a different rule. Call the hotel reception and enquire about their policies on staying with a pet. When informed prior, some hotels provide pet-friendly food, bedding, and blankets also, which makes your travel light. Some hotels have pet daycare, which is a wonderful way to let your pet enjoy while you finish your work.

Traveling is fun when you and your pet can explore new trails together. Research about the location of the hotel and the facilities nearby. Booking accommodation, which has a park or beach nearby, adds to the happiness of the trip. Having a local vet nearby can be very helpful in case of an emergency. You can either search for it online or call the hotel officials and ask them.

Whether staying at a hotel or a friend's place, appropriate etiquette is essential to ensure no one is uncomfortable. If you have a pet dog, then train it to stay obedient and not bark in front of friendly strangers. A well-mannered, trained dog will be able to handle new situations and environments with ease. Both hotel staff and fellow travelers will appreciate a well-mannered pet inside hotel premises.

5. Food and Hydration

Keeping your pet hydrated is crucial while traveling. Since pets can't speak for themselves, as their owner, you must take care of their water needs. When traveling by road, feed the pet only when the car is stationary. You might want to consider the type of food you feed your pet too. Make sure it is nutritious and has health benefits. You can have a look at these Ultimate Pet Nutrition deals to get you started. You want to use a food that is veterinary approved, to limit the chances of your pooch or kitten getting sick. In addition to this, feeding the pet while in motion, can promote nausea, which can also lead to dehydration. While flying, feed half of its meal half an hour before leaving for the airport and the other half of the meal after the security check-in. This will have your furry friend occupied and won't upset its stomach either. Another way to keep its stomach full and hydrated is by feeding it wet food instead of dry. In case your pet is going by cargo, attach a water bowl inside its crate so that it can self-regulate.

Also, while traveling, prevent your pets from drinking tap water. Carry enough water for the journey from home or buy bottled water. Then slowly, one can start mixing and giving the local water. This way, your pets will have a healthy gut throughout the trip. Carry enough food from your home. Buy their favorite food items and carry in bulk, to avoid a situation where you run out of their favorite food in the new location.

6. Don't leave the pet in the car alone

A pet lover will never intentionally put their pet's life at risk. But unknowingly, while traveling by car, you stop for grabbing some food, and the billing queue is long, or you go for a bathroom break, any of these moments can put your furry friend in jeopardy.

The temperature inside a parked car increases quickly under the sun. The vehicle converts into an oven with all the heat collected on the metal frame, which makes it very hot for the pet to survive. Dogs and cats trapped in a car start panting to cool down. Unfortunately, their bodies cannot cool down so fast, which can lead to their death due to heatstroke. Even leaving the pet for a few minutes can be dangerous for them.

In case the body temperature of your pet increases, help it cool down by taking it to a cooler area or sprinkle cold water on them. You can also place a wet towel on its back, armpits, and in the groin area, which will help the temperature to fall. Use cold water to wet its ear flaps and paws. Face the wet area towards a fan to enhance cooling. If these steps do not work, then take your pet immediately to a nearby veterinarian. Treating your pet in the right manner will keep it safe, and it will remain a loyal lifelong companion.

7. Get Some exercise before embarking the journey

Since it's the first time you are moving with a new pet, start taking them for short drives. Slowly, you can increase the time duration. While driving, make your pet sit in the crate. That will help your pet acclimatize to the idea of sitting in a container and traveling. Reward the pet for behaving well while traveling, which makes the learning process faster. On the day of the journey, take your pet for a short walk or exercise before boarding the train, bus, or flight. Your pet will spend most of its energy and get tiresome during the journey. You can also reach the airport a little early and walk around the terminal to let your pet familiarize with the atmosphere of the airport. These steps will ensure a peaceful flight of your pet.

Conclusion:

The above are the top seven crucial tips for a safe trip with your new pet. Pre-travel preparation makes a journey successful with your new friend. Plan well in advance, choose the travel destination, train your pet, get a go-ahead sign from your vet, and choose the right mode of travel that will save a lot of discomfort for you and your pet.

Author Bio

Rebecca Siggers is a travel blogger and passionate writer. She enjoys travelling and has expertise on camping, roof racks and travelling accessories.  Through her writing, she hopes to influence as many people as possible to help out.