Travelling is a great way to spend your free time and explore the world around you with your pet; however, the activity can easily be your worst nightmare if you’re not prepared enough. If you’re planning on traveling with your pet soon, there are certain things you should consider to increase your chances of having a perfect experience. They include the following:

Avoid using tranquilizers before you fly

Sedating pets, such as cats and dogs, may increase their risk of respiratory and heart issues, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. There have been instances where sedated animals traveling by air required emergency veterinary care to assist them recover from the sedation, and some of them could not be revived. According to medical professionals, the drug alters the animal’s innate ability to maintain equilibrium, making it less likely to brace and avoid injuries. Instead of tranquilizing the pet, you should take measures to familiarize it with the flight kennel, such as leaving it open in the house with a chew bone or something similar multiple times before the trip.

Make an appointment with your doctor and vet

You should visit your doctor and vet between four and six weeks before you travel. Besides checking your health and that of your pet, you should discuss with them about any routine vaccinations, and let them confirm whether your destination recommends any additional vaccines. Your vet should also confirm that your pet’s vaccinations are up to date and provide you with a vaccination certificate.

If you or your pet have a medical condition, the medical professional should guide you through effective practices to prevent worsening it, and if they deem it necessary, they should provide you with medication to prevent any issues during the trip.

Stay hydrated

Being hydrated is a basic rule that we’re often encouraged to adhere to at all times. However, when you’re traveling, it’s more critical to observe this simple practice because of the nature of a plane. The air in a typical airplane cabin is often dry; therefore, it can easily desiccate your nasal passages, and those of your pet, making both of you more susceptible to flu from a fellow passenger or pet. Moreover, if you get to your destination safely and your pet drinks water from an unfamiliar source, it may experience a stomach upset. Carrying your own bottled or tap water while traveling might help your pet avert such issues.

Slow down

When you arrive at your destination, you may be tempted to visit more places than you initially planned. For instance, if your trip was mainly about camping in one of many Utah State parks, make sure you only do a couple short hikes in a day especially if it is hot. This will lower the chances of you or your dog getting heat exhaustion or other negative symptoms from the heat. Keep hydrated, stay out of the sun, and start early so you don’t experience headaches, dizziness or other health issues.

Avoid trying to visit every single place you want in a single day. If you’re planning to do a lot in your destination, consider staying longer so that you spread your itinerary effectively. You and your pet can be active and walk around, but don’t overdo it.

Get enough sleep

When you’re travelling, your body needs to be in the best shape to withstand the harsh effects of traveling. You also need your immune system to be in top gear before traveling to reduce your risk of developing a health problem. Thankfully, sleep improves the immune system and keeps the body system strong. Therefore, try getting a good night’s sleep up to a week before you travel. When you travel, try to maintain a regular sleep schedule as much as you can to keep your body balanced.

 To make it easy for you to sleep, make sure you reduce your alcohol and caffeine intake, and avoid electronics, such as tablets and smartphones at least one hour before going to sleep.

Conclusion

Are you looking forward to a healthy and successful trip with your pet? If you are, then take the right steps to increase your chances of having one. As we’ve discussed, make sure you visit your doctor and vet in advance, avoid sedating your pet to calm them down, get enough sleep, pace yourself and stay hydrated throughout the trip.