Travel is popular and relatively easy during the warm season, which is one of the main reasons why so many people take vacations during the summer, even if they do not have children. Not only does the nice weather provide you more things to do outside, but it also makes road trips easier. If you want to travel before the winter cold sets in, bring your furry buddy along, but keep in mind that there’s more to traveling long distances with a pet than merely packing food and water dishes and deciding to hit the road.
Traveling entails learning to be safe, and one of the most important aspects of safety is ensuring the comfort of your four-legged companions. When traveling gets stressful, kids may not only become distressed, but they may also act in ways that make it more difficult for you to drive securely. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make the journey more enjoyable for everyone.
Recognize Your Furry Friend’s Temperament
The first thing to understand is that not all animals migrate in the same manner. Even among breeds with generally constant temperaments, there are animals who like riding with you for extended periods of time and some that do not because they become bored or uncomfortable rapidly. Both bring their own set of problems, and understanding how to pace your journey and when to take breaks entails being acquainted with the cycles of your pet’s behavior.
By taking a few trial visits to local areas, you can determine how long your dog or cat can travel peacefully. Plan each excursion to be slightly longer until your pet regularly whines or displays other indicators that they want to stop. Knowing how long your pet can ride safely allows you to plan your rest stops so that they are not overstimulated.
Examine the Safety Equipment
Aside from disruptive behavior, the riskiest aspect of having a pet in the vehicle with you is restlessness. Consider car seat choices that allow you to comfortably restrain your pet while your car is in motion to protect your dog or cat from wandering while you drive. A booster seat bed provides a place for your pet to relax while raising the little man so he can gaze out the window, preventing boredom. The greatest aspect is that a short leash is utilized to keep the dog from roaming, ensuring a safe journey for everyone. If the booster seat isn’t for you, there are other safe solutions, such as this mobile pet carrier, that can help decrease movement.
Make regular stops a priority
You can plan your route to ensure you can make stops on time once you know how long your pet can go before needing to stop or growing bored. This allows you to exercise and hydrate your animals as often as necessary, ensuring that they will be able to withstand the entire trip comfortably. A steady routine of walking and feeding pets lowers restlessness and gives you opportunity to stretch and gather your bearings.
Not every “pet friendly” holiday place is the same. Before you arrange a vacation with your pet, you should look into the specific accommodations. Outdoor activities such as camping are simple to incorporate animals into as long as you have the necessary equipment, but it may be tough to keep everyone safe if you are unprepared. That means you’ll need the equipment to keep your pet properly leashed and under your control so it doesn’t wander off in odd locations. It also implies that you should bring a range of toys that take advantage of the wide landscape.
If you want to remain inside in a hotel, cottage, or other rental property, look for lodgings that provide your pet with the type of space they expect at home. If you must stay in a tiny room, such as a hotel or motel, try to avoid major city areas where traffic and huge numbers of strangers may cause anxiety, and instead select settings where you can easily get the required exercise in to keep your pet happy.
Plan Your Activities
Traveling with dogs is similar to traveling with children. You must ensure that they have something to do, and you must arrange a vacation that will keep them entertained. If that is not feasible, you must ensure that there is something to keep them occupied while you attend to the business of the day. That means bringing plenty of toys to keep them entertained. Bring some favorites from home, but keep in mind that new toys can give stimulation that can aid if they need to be alone for a bit or when the miles build up and they need to be engaged to calm back down.
Consider clever toys and puzzles that test your pet’s foraging and hunting instincts in addition to a handful of your favorite toys. Here are a few good examples:
Zanie’s Puzzle Station
Kong Conundrums
ZippyPaws Burrow
Set aside time for resting together
Traveling with a pet entails taking them to new areas and exposing them to new experiences, which may be a terrific way to bond with your animal companion. At the same time, when your animals get accustomed to a certain schedule, it might cause tension. Making time to relax together helps reassure your dogs that the journey is an exciting adventure and that you are all in it together, which may improve the overall experience for everyone.
It’s simple to make even the longest road journey pleasurable if you pace yourself and are mindful of what you ask of your animals. The key is to understand how your pet reacts to travel and to provide lots of outlets for stress to prevent an unhealthy accumulation. Put these recommendations into action when you travel, and both you and your pet will be happy as a result.