8 tips for comfortable and safe traveling with your pet
How to travel with a pet (photo: Freepik.com)
Traveling with your pet is always a more pleasant adventure, but it requires more careful preparation. After all, a pet is not able to take care of its comfort and safety on its own, so your attention and care are mandatory.
RBC-Ukraine provides eight important tips to help ensure the comfort of your four-legged friend while traveling.
Prepare all the necessary documents
To make traveling with your pet easy, prepare a veterinary passport with vaccination records in advance, which is mandatory for both domestic and international travel.
To travel outside Ukraine, you will also need an international certificate and proof of chipping. Some countries have special requirements for animal health, so check their rules in advance.
Remember that paperwork can take time, so it's best to prepare in advance to avoid unnecessary hassles at the border.
Provide comfortable container for transportation
Transportation in a comfortable container is a prerequisite for traveling by public transport. Choose a container of the appropriate size where your pet will feel comfortable, and use bedding or disposable diapers for convenience.
If your friend is uncomfortable or scared, you can cover the container with a thick cloth. The main thing is that the animal has free access to fresh air and feels safe even in a crowded place.
A comfortable carrier is essential for traveling with a pet (photo: Freepik.com)
Prepare food and water properly
It's important that your pet has access to fresh water while traveling, as thirst can be frequent on the road. Take care of compact travel drinking bowls and bowls that do not take up much space.
As for food, it is better not to overfeed the animal to avoid possible inconveniences on the road. If the trip is long, you can give water from a syringe without a needle in the heat to avoid dehydration.
Take first aid kit with you
If your pet has a chronic illness, make sure you have the right medications, as well as additional supplies such as food poisoning medication, anti-allergies, painkillers, bandages, a thermometer, and hydrogen peroxide.
Find out in advance where there are veterinary clinics in your destination so that you know where to go if you need to. This will allow you to be sure of your friend's safety throughout the trip.
Take care of periodic stops during a road trip
When traveling by car, it is important to make regular stops every 2-3 hours so that the animal can stretch and go to the bathroom. This will help relieve tension and avoid stress from prolonged immobility.
Be sure to check the animal after the walk to avoid any trouble, such as ticks or thorns that may be attached to the fur.
Keep your pet safe in the car
When traveling in your car, it is important to ensure the safety of your pet by using special carriers or seat belts.
If the animal is not in a container, it can impede movement, so it is better to fix it with a harness and a special belt. Also, a comfortable temperature should be maintained in the car and overheating should be avoided.
The animal inside the car should be controlled (photo: Freepik.com)
Don't forget to prepare things for your pet
Bring along favorite toys, litter that has a familiar smell, and favorite treats to calm him down. This will create an atmosphere of comfort for the animal and reduce stress. Also, don't forget about towels, which will come in handy if your pet gets its paws dirty during stops or walks.
Train your pet to travel in advance
If this is your pet's first trip, try to organize a few short trips beforehand to reduce fear. An animal that is used to a container or vehicle will be able to tolerate a long journey more easily. Remember that in a stressful situation, you should not use tranquilizers without consulting a veterinarian.
Read also about 7 recommendations for traveling safely alone.
Sources: Smart Traveller, Solo Travelling, Tripmydream.ua.
