DOES YOUR PET REALLY WANT TO TRAVEL? Does your pet become rigid and leg-locked when approaching the car? Or maybe he/she makes a hasty retreat under the bed when the pet carrier is brought out? You may want to consider boarding, or friends/family pet-sitting before deciding it's a good idea to take your pet with you on that looooong car ride. Travel can become traumatic for our four-leggeds, resulting in a not-so-pleasant trip for anyone.
- Consider your destination. Will you be allowed to keep your pets with you at all times? Does your itinerary include large chunks of time when your pet cannot accompany you while you are sight-seeing?
While cats, self-sufficient little creatures they are, handle better those long periods alone, they can be extremely uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Dogs, as pack animals, are less likely to do well away from you for extended periods of time. It may be risky exposing them to this degree of stress. Being separated from you while in their familiar surroundings at home is quite different from being away from you in a strange place.
- Will you have ample time on your trip to make 'pit stops' for your pets? Dogs, especially, have to stop every 2 hours or so for walking, stretching and ... anointing land and trees.
- What is your pet's personality? Unless he/she is used to being around strangers and away from their 'world' at home, their personalities may be a clue to how "travel-ready" they are:
- Calm, laid-back or high-strung?
- Quiet or noisy?
- Accepting of strangers or NOT?
- What is the weather along your route? Will there be extreme heat or cold? Remember, you CANNOT leave your pet in the car for even a few minutes in extreme climates.
Leaving pets in the car unattended in ANY weather is not recommended, as to leave windows open for sufficient ventilation also opens the door for your pet to be stolen. However, if you find you must leave them unattended in a car, please read the "Caution" statement below.
- Is your pet's age or condition a consideration?
- Stress can be magnified in an older pet.
- A young pet can be rambunctious and overwhelming.
- One that is already hindered by ill-health is thereby predisposed to discomfort.
We are responsible for our pet's safety and comfort. The above considerations are vital to their well-being while away from the comfort and safety of their home and routine.
YOU'VE DECIDED THE TRIP INCLUDES YOUR PET: If you've never traveled with your pet, you might want to
acclimate him/her to traveling by taking short daytime drives at home prior to the 'real' trip. Travel crates, aka pet carriers, aka 'cages' are recommended by many in order to confine the pet to the rear area of the vehicle away from the driver for safety reasons. Withhold a bit of food or water for awhile before leaving, and maybe even take your dog for a walk. This may induce the pet's sleep once the trip is underway.
CAUTION: Never leave your pets unattended in the car even on a pleasantly warm day! Temperatures inside a closed vehicle on a sunny day can escalate to an uncomfortable - unsafe - threatening level in VERY little time. What may be a pleasant day outside can,
in just a few minutes, cause stroke, brain damage and death for a pet left inside your car.
If you do leave your pet, PLEASE make it for only a FEW SHORT MINUTES. Look for a shaded area (that will STAY shaded), lower the windows just enough so that the pet cannot get out, put up sun screens on the windshield and/or back glass, and always fill the water bowl when leaving the car.
HURRY BACK!! If left in the car on a cold day, be sure to provide your pets with blankets or bedding to keep them adequately warm.
Necessary provisions while traveling:
- A leash / collar / ID tags including your home address, phone number, vet's phone number.
- Current rabies tags/certificate - many motel/hotels, state parks now require proof of vaccinations.
- Certificate of special vaccinations (i.e., Lyme disease) when visiting regions with high incidence rates.
- Color photo of your pet.
- First Aid kit.
- A few favorites: chewies, toys, treats, anything they're accustomed to at home.
- A large container of water from home - water quality and taste differs regionally.
- Food they're accustomed to at home (can opener, if needed).
- Food and water bowls.
- A pet bed/pillow/carrier, whichever applies.
- Prescribed or OTC medications.
- Pooper-scooper/litter box and litter.
- Paper towels, cleaner.
A useful resource when traveling with your pet is
Pet First Aid, ISBN 1-57857-000X, by Bobbie Mammato, DVM. This book is published by the
American Red Cross and the
Humane Society of the United States. UPDATE: This book is out of print, per Amazon.com, 5/00).
There are times when you might need veterinarian. Call the American Animal Hospital Association at
(800) 883-6301 to find a local veterinarian while traveling. Prior to your trip, make a list of vets in the areas in which you will be traveling by calling the above number.
YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME: Get a copy of
ON THE ROAD AGAIN with Man's Best Friend, 2nd Edition (U.S). This handy-dandy encyclopedia of
motel/hotels/national parks that do and do not allow pets is invaluable. Look up the accommodations along your trip's itinerary. Call those of interest, verify their rules have not changed, and ask those questions you'll wish you asked before paying for a room. Are there species/breed/size restrictions? Inquire as to the condition of the rooms they allow pets in: Is it as nice as the regular room? Are you a non-smoker AND pet rooms equal smoking rooms? Does the room have an odor? An outside entrance? Will you have access to satisfactory 'walking' areas; will you be afraid to take your pet out at night? Is the hotel located on a busy street? If so, can you reserve a quiet room?
PET ETIQUETTE: House Rules (unless told differently)
- Never leave your pet alone in the room. (If management makes an exception to this policy, while you are away for BRIEF periods of time leave the TV on, giving your pet a feeling of not being alone.)
- Bring bedding your pet is accustomed to (pillow, towels, pet carrier, etc.).
- Always clean up after them after a 'tour of duty' outside.
- Keep food/water bowls on a non-carpeted floor.
- Keep your pet leashed at all times while outside, for their safety... and stangers' hesitance.
Thanks to:
ON THE ROAD AGAIN with Man's Best Friend, 2nd Edition
United States
Copyright ©Dawn and Robert Habgood
ISBN: 0-933603-11-8
