After months of lockdown & staying inside their homes, people have started packing their bags for that long-awaited road trip. And why not! The pandemic has tested us mentally & physically. But thank god for our pets! They have kept our spirits high and have rescued us from gloomy days. And now that you are traveling, it is only fair to have your loyal companion accompany you!
Traveling with pets has always been a tricky affair. They are not used to road trips in cars and it can take a toll on their bodies and moods if pet parents are not well prepared for the journey.
But worry not. Our vets are here for the rescue!
Follow these instructions before, during and after the journey to ensure that the road trip is a happy & fun-filled experience!
- Get your pet used to traveling in a car
Before you commence on a long-distance trip, make sure you get your pet used to small distance traveling. Take them on your next grocery shopping trip or to their best friend’s house. Baby steps like these will make sure they get comfortable in long-distance journeys.
2 .Observe your pet’s reaction
Keep an eye on your pet’s behavioral and medical reactions during small distance traveling. If they show any adverse reactions like puking, anxiousness, crying, etc then don’t forget to take note of it.
- Consult your vet
Don’t forget to consult your vet before you begin your trip. Your vet will do a thorough physical check-up. Update them with the symptoms your pet showed while traveling. This will assist your vet to reach to the root cause & prescribe the right medicine as well.
- Prepare a travel kit
Just like you would prepare a travel kit for yourself, prepare one for your pet as well. Make sure it has all the essentials like their favorite toy, treats, warm blanket (if going to a colder region), kong (to keep them occupied), portable water bottle, leash, etc.
- Prepare a medical kit
- Your pet’s medical kit must contain the following medicines -
- Antiemetic (for vomiting & nausea)
- Electrolytes (to maintain energy levels)
- Anti-anxiety medicine (after consulting your vet)
6.Secure your pet in the car
The back seat must be properly secured to avoid any mishaps. Make sure the windows aren’t entirely rolled down. Pets have been known to jump out of the window due to excitement or anxiousness. Also, make sure to keep the temperature ideal for your pet. Don’t let your pet hang their head out of the window for too long. It can be dangerous.
7.Take breaks
Keep taking short breaks during your journey to let your pet stretch & sniff out a little. This will also allow them to take poop breaks! Make sure you take a minimum break of 10 minutes after every 2 hours or so.
8. Vet visit after the journey
If your pet faced issues during the journey, don’t forget to consult your vet again once the journey is over.
Points to remember -
- Don’t feed your pet anything immediately before the journey starts. Make sure that there’s a gap of at least 1-2 hours.
- Before the journey starts, make sure to let them play so that their energy is drenched and they sleep throughout the journey!
- Don’t feed anything heavy while traveling, they might throw up. Instead, opt for a light meal during the journey. Avoid feeding anything in a moving vehicle.
- Familiarize yourself with some common symptoms of motion sickness & nausea. This will form a stronger bond between you & your pet.
- If you have a toy-sized or small-sized pet, you can also purchase a crate. But the crate should be well-cushioned and spacious.
- Make sure your pet is fully vaccinated and is free from any illness to avoid any discomfort to them.
- Don’t leave your pet behind in the car unattended even for a small duration of time. During summertime, it can get really hot for them inside and this might lead to dehydration, which can be fatal in extreme cases.
- ALWAYS PLAN AHEAD!
We hope these tips can come in handy. Nevertheless, as pet parents, we also need to remember that not every pet is meant to travel such long distances. Pets who have had a history of illness, young pups or senior pets are at a higher risk of sickness. But don’t worry, you can leave them behind safely at a good pet boarding or hostel which can take good care of your pet while you are gone. This would be a vacation for them as well!
For any vet-related queries & assistance, don’t forget to call us on +91 8431620000.
