Top 7 Pet Travel Tips For Car Rides
No Sticking Their Heads Out The Window: Although most pets will take great enjoyment from spending the entire road trip with their head out the window, it’s not safe. Your pet can easily be injured by flying debris from the road not to mention other cars. Along this same tip, I hope that it should go without mention that traveling with your pet in the back of the pickup truck is also a definite no-no! Some states even have laws restricting this type of animal transport because it is always dangerous.
Stop Frequently: You should take frequent stops to let your pet walk around for a few minutes and use the bathroom. Most rest stops and travel assistance areas will have specific areas for you to take your pet. Always pickup after your pet and try to stay in the designated “pet zone” when walking your pet. Always keep your pet on a lease and make sure that they have proper identification on their collar whenever they are outside of the car.
Give Them Plenty Of Water: At each rest stop make sure to have some water available for your pet to drink from. Sometimes car travel will upset your pets stomach and this will give it something to help prevent sickness. Something that a lot of people recommend is to take ice cubes on road-trips as they’re a fun way for your pet to get their needed re-hydration and it doesn’t take up as much room as bringing lots of water will.
No Feeding Your Pets Fast Food: It’s a safe bet to refrain from feeding your pets anything extra on long road trips. Just stick to their regular amount of food at their regular feeding time. Try to refrain from letting them eat any leftovers from your own meals, especially if they’re from a fast-food restaurant. Greasy food and pets aren’t a good mix.
Don’t Leave Them Alone In The Car: Don’t leave your pets alone in your car while you run errands. On summer days the inside of your car can easily reach 120 degrees in minutes, even if you have the windows cracked open. Pet thieves also have been known to prey on pets left alone in cars at rest stops, so prevent their attempts by keeping your pets at your side.
Don’t Let Them Run Around The Car: Always keep your pet safely restrained while in your car. Using a pet safety-harness or travel dog kennel are the safest ways to keep your pets restrained and out of harms way. These will not only keep your pet from injury, but they also prevent your pet from distracting you while you are driving. A pet safety harness works just like a regular seatbelt. Let your pet wear the harness for a while before you go on your first road trip. This will get them familiar with the harness and you’ll be able to adjust it for optimal comfort. If your dog prefers a travel kennel, make sure that it has amble ventilation. If you have a large car or SUV, you might want to consider using a vehicle barrier. Always remember that the passenger seat is the last place your pet should ever be sitting while your car is moving.
Comfortable and Secure: The number one thing to focus on should be your pets comfort. If your pet is comfortable then the ride will go smoothly. Their comfort is as important as your own. Imagine having to drive on a long-trip sitting in a seat that hurts or is uncomfortable. It’d make for a pretty un-fun trip! Same goes for your pet. An easy trick to put your pet at ease is to bring along their favorite toy or blanket.
Related posts:
- Safe Car Travel For Pets – 7 Tips:
- Transport Dog Crates for Travel With Your Dog
- Why Dog Cages Are Important For Traveling
Tagged with: cats • dog kennels • Dogs • pet advice • pet carriers • pets • traveling with pets
Filed under: Dogs
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