Summer weather is on the way and that means spending more time outside! You may already have a road trip planned or you’re gearing up to drive to your next adventure in the mountains. Whether your pets are joining you or staying at home, it’s best to keep your pet’s safety and comfort in mind.
Taking them with:
Preparing for travel
- Remember to pack extra food and water for your pet. The change in water at your destination can upset their stomach, and maintaining their regular diet is crucial if their usual food isn’t accessible.
- Help your pet get accustomed to their travel kennel well in advance. Familiarity beforehand makes the transition smoother for your pet.
- Prioritize exercising your pet as much as possible before placing them in their kennel. This can help them feel more relaxed and comfortable during travel.
- Particularly for longer trips, consider withholding food for a few hours before your journey to reduce the likelihood of your pet becoming car sick.
Taking your pet on a road trip
- Pets shouldn’t roam in the car. Most cats aren’t comfortable traveling in cars, so for their safety as well as yours, keep them in a carrier. It’s also important to have your dogs secured with their heads inside the vehicle while traveling.
- Leave the front seat for humans. If an airbag deploys while your pet is in the passenger seat, it may injure your pet even if they’re in a carrier.
- Give your pet plenty of rest stops. Stop frequently to let your pet stretch their legs and go potty outside. But never let your pet leave the car without their collar, tags, and leash.
- Don’t leave your pet alone in the car. A quick pit stop may feel like no time at all to you, but it’s too long to leave your pet alone in a car. On even just warm, sunny days, the inside of a car heats up very quickly. On a 75-degree day, the temperature inside a car can climb above 94 degrees in just 10 minutes.
Leaving them at home:
While some vacation spots may seem perfect for pets, sometimes it is best to leave pets in the comforts of home. As a rule of thumb, cats are almost always better off staying at home and prefer a ‘stay-cation’. Here are some tips for leaving your pet at home during your travels:
- Introduce your pet to their new caregiver beforehand to help alleviate stress.
- Leave out toys or activities for your pet to enjoy while you’re gone.
- Share your pet’s feeding schedule with the sitter. Sticking to a familiar schedule will give your pet a sense of normalcy. Automatic feeders can also be a good solution.
- Leave detailed information about your veterinarian just in case. You never know when there can be an emergency and it’s better to be prepared!
