CATS & ROAD TRIP
Get Your Cat Familiar With Your Car – Practice makes perfect
Introduce your cat to the car before your trip. Spend some time together inside the car and offer your cat a treat. Allow your cat to explore the entire car. Place their carrier where you plan to have it during the trip.
Play some soothing cat music, lots of tunes available at U Tube.
Take a few short, slow rides so cat can get used to the driving car. This will also show you cats response to car ride.
Give Food & Water Before The Trip
Offer your cat food and water before the trip as well as litter box after food and water.
If your cat gets motion sickness, then give cat only a light snack.
If your cat needs special food or meds, bring extra to avoid potential emergencies
Keep Your Cat In A Carrier
For cats safety keep her in a carrier. This is a must for many safety reasons.
Carriers provide a safe, quiet space and will help relieve some of the anxiety during travel.
Make Your Car Feel Homey
Pets do have emotions, and may feel homesick during the trip. Bring your cats old bed, or their blanket to cover their carrier. The scent of these belongings will make the car familiar and reduce anxiety.
Bring Toys
Give your cat some new, exciting toys to play with during travel. This will help to keep the cat distracted during travel.
Be Ready for Potential Mess
Line your cat carrier with disposable training pad or old towels that are no longer need. This will make any potty mess easier to handle and clean up while traveling.
Bring a few trash bags for soiled towels. It is good idea to pack some paper towels and safe cleaning solution just in case.
Be Ready for Potential Stress
If your cat or dog gets easily stressed, it is good idea to give her some calming homeopathy – Chamomilla 30C or 30X. These are natural, safe and will not have an side effects.
Plan Pit Stops
Plan to stop few hours to give your cat water, food if needed and allow use to litter box.
If your cat is used to harness and leash, your cat let it outside to stretch If your cat never used harness or leash do not try this as your cat may wiggle out of harness.
DOGS & ROAD TRIP
By Dr. Karen Becker
- Temperament is more important than breed when deciding if your dog will make a good travel companion, as individual dogs will have different levels of tolerance for the new sights and sounds
- The size of your dog may also be a consideration, as some hotels may have size limits on allowed pets, along with limiting the number of pets in a room
- If your dog is anxious about car travel, start with simply getting in and sitting in the driveway, then trying brief trips to close locations your dog loves to ease him into car travel
- When your car is in motion, I recommend most dogs stay in a crate that fits your pet snugly; you’ll need to plan extra time to for plenty of stops along the way for your dog to go potty and stretch his legs
- You should pack all necessities, including items like poop bags and food bowls, but don’t forget to also pack some of your dog’s favorite toys, blankets and, depending on size, even his bed to remind him of home
Many pet owners cannot imagine traveling if it means their dog has to get left behind. While it’s possible to find reliable in-home pet sitters or trustworthy boarders, travelling with your pet is the next logical solution.
While at least 18% of Americans travelling for leisure purposes have hit the road with their pet, a study published in the Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism noted, “As an increasing number of people consider pets as members of their families, pet owners are refusing to travel without their pets.”1
It’s important to consider your dog’s temperament when deciding if he’ll make a suitable travel companion. Temperament is even more important than breed, as individual dogs will have different levels of tolerance for the new sights and sounds that a vacation will bring, even if they belong to the same breed. That being said, some hotels may have breed restrictions in place, so call before you make your reservation.
Dr. Tom Watson of Carolinas Veterinary Medical Hospital explained it well in Southern Living, stating, “You’re going on a vacation to relax and unwind. If the dog is anxious and making you anxious because they’re not traveling well, you need to figure out how you can make it a good trip for everybody.”2
The size of your dog may also be a consideration, as some hotels may have size limits on allowed pets, along with limiting the number of pets in a room. Generally speaking, I don’t recommend travelling with your pet by air unless it’s absolutely necessary, so the tips that follow refer to travel by car, and can be invaluable before setting out on your next road trip, pooch in tow.
Help Your Dog Love Car Rides
Some dogs seem to be hard-wired to love car rides. Others, no so much. If your dog has extreme anxiety about car travel, you may want to rethink a road trip, but there are ways to help your dog learn that a car ride is fun, starting with baby steps.
“If you want to run a marathon, you start by jogging around the block one time. The same thing goes for dogs,” Watson said in Southern Living. “First, put the dog in the car and stay in the driveway. Then, move up and down the driveway or go around the block once.”3
From there, you can take brief trips to close locations your dog loves, such as a forest preserve, pet food store or grandma’s house, to ease him into car travel. Be aware that, just like people, dogs may get motion sickness. Experiment with taking trips when your dog has empty stomach versus a few treats first. Some dogs do better traveling on an empty stomach while others do best with a small amount of food in their tummy.
Put Safety First
You probably wouldn’t even consider driving in your car without a seatbelt, and you shouldn’t allow your dog to ride unrestrained either. When your car is in motion, I recommend most dogs stay in a crate that fits your pet snugly, with enough room to be comfortable but not excess room (which poses a risk to your pet in an accident).
Depending on your dog’s size and vehicle, you can place the crate in the rear (such as in an SUV) or on the backseat. Look for crates and carriers that have strength-rated anchor straps or work in connection with your vehicle’s existing LATCH connection systems (used for children’s car seats) so the crate will be secure in the event of an accident.
Alternatively, you can use a safety harness to restrain your pet in the car, but be sure it has been crash-test certified for safety.
Plan Extra Time for Pit Stops
Travelling with a dog is not unlike travelling with a small child, in that you’ll need to plan extra time to for plenty of stops along the way. Your dog will need to stop to go to the bathroom and let your dog stretch his legs every few hours. Plan to have clean up supplies on hand, along with your dog’s leash and harness, water bowl and fresh water to drink.
Be sure to plan for meal times — for your pet and you. Ideally, feed your dog in the morning before you leave and again at night once you’ve settled in to your hotel. If you’ll be stopping to eat along the way, plan to do so at a location where your pet can accompany you, as pets shouldn’t be left unattended in cars.
Pack for Your Pet
When traveling with your pet, you’ll need to bring all necessities, including items like poop bags and food bowls, but don’t forget to also pack some of your dog’s favorite toys, blankets and, depending on size, even his bed to remind him of home.
You should also make sure your dog is wearing a collar with a current ID tag at all times, and pack a pet first aid kit in the event of an emergency. A recent photo on your phone is also recommended, in the event you become separated.
Expect the Unexpected
If you’re expecting a road trip with your dog to be entirely free of hiccups, you may want to re-evaluate your expectations beforehand. Bringing your dog on vacation may provide you with wonderful new memories together and extra time to bond, provided your dog is truly up for the adventure.
However, it can also cause extra stress on both you and your pet, especially if things don’t go exactly as planned. Be prepared to be flexible in your plans and keep your dog’s best interest in mind, even if it means skipping an activity or two.
If your dog is generally nervous or fearful, he’ll probably prefer to stay home, but even outgoing, confident dogs may have some anxiety when thrust into a new environment and routine. In this case, spraying your car or hotel room with Rescue Remedy or other anxiety-reducing flower essences may help take the edge off a potentially stressful situation.
For Cats & Dogs
Hotel Stay
Call ahead to confirm that hotels you are planning to stay at allow cats/dogs.
Update ID Tags, Microchip & Phone Contacts
Place ID tag on a collar for dogs & breakaway collar for cats. Make sure that your current information is on it. If your cat/dog is microchipped, make sure info on the chip is updated.
Your cat/dog might not wear a collar and tags at home, but when you are traveling, this is important just in case.
Never leave your cat/dog in the car!
Cars heat up fast and in only a matter of minutes your cat/dog’s life could be in danger.
SoS
Bring along your cat/dog’s vet information. Also find an animal emergency care at your destination. Animal Poison Control can be reached 24 hours a day at (888) 426-4435.
Program any travel information you may need in your phone.
Drive Safely
Play some relaxing music and talk to your cat so they know you are with them
4 SIMPLE techniques to prepare your animal friend for your vacation
By Lynn McKenzie
Have you ever been excitedly preparing for a vacation, only to realize the strain it put on your animal friends, and end up rescheduling the vacation or feeling guilty or sad the entire time?
Being away from our animal friends is hard on them, and on you! It is tough to be separated.
With the right preparation, you and your animals can experience a more comfortable time, even though you’ll be apart.
1. Your animal friends do understand you. Start by talking to them and letting them know about the vacation; where you will be going, and for how long.It is often easiest for them to understand if you tell them how many sleeps or meals you’ll be away for, always focusing on your happy return.
2. Let them know what will happen to them. Be sure to tell them where they will be and who will be looking after them, again focusing on your happy return.
Let them know they’ll be in good hands, with a caregiver handpicked by you. Tell them that they’ll still have their meals, treats and toys, and hopefully will have some fun with their caregiver.
Prepare them as much as you can to help them get ready.
I prefer to have someone come and stay in my home with my dogs instead of bringing them somewhere because it is much easier for them to stay in their familiar environment.
3. Stay in constant contact with them. During your trip, check-in every day and let them know how you are doing.
Communicate with them how soon you will be back, again in terms of number of sleeps or meals. Visualize your happy reunion.
4. Use my grounding exercise to help your animals be more comfortable. This is great for them and can help reduce stress.
I created a free training that includes grounding and animal communication techniques.
This free “Making the Heart Connection With Your Animal Companions” training will help both of you prepare and stay connected while you are gone.
Have a safe, adventurous journey!
