Travelling With Your Pet ? Here Is An Ultimate Checklist

Pets surely brighten up life. Once they are in your life, you cannot imagine a day without their snuggle. But then, having furry babies in life come with certain restrictions. Travelling as a freebie gets kinda challenging and leaving them behind is even harder. So if you’re ready for a getaway with your pup by your side, read on—we’ve got everything you need to know about how to travel with a dog.

However, with proper planning and preparation, you can crack the code of travelling with pets. Without further ado, we bring a checklist for all pet parents!

Follow these 8 steps to make the experience of travelling with your dog safer, easier and more fun for you both.

1. Talk to Your Veterinarian

Is your dog healthy enough to travel? Are they up to date on all their Vaccination? Is their microchip still in place and scannable? Check-in with your veterinarian before finalising your travel plans. Almost every place requires an up-to-date health certificate for your pet on arrival. Pack Your Pet Buddy’s Medical and Vaccine Records.

2. Update ID Tags and microchips

It’s easy for dogs to get lost in new surroundings. We know you’ll take every precaution to keep your Buddy safe and around you. Make sure that their ID tags have your current contact information.

3. Always carry travel essentials

For your Pet Buddy, travelling to a new place can be exciting—but also a little stressful. Familiar items from home can soothe their nerves, so toss some favourite toys, their bed, or a special blanket into your travelling bags. Train your pets to stay in the crate during the journey as having their area gives them security and also helps to curb their anxiety during the trip. Animals also have motion sickness, so carry paper towels or wetting pads to minimise the mess.

4. Plan Their activity Breaks

Travelling with a dog is a lot like travelling with a small child: Both need frequent potty breaks and opportunities to run and play. If you’re driving, look for dog-friendly rest stops along your route. Regardless of all the comfort that your pet has with you, there will be an increase in anxiety levels when your pet is travelling. The best fix for this is to skip the last meal before embarking on a trip with your pet. Also, get the medicine prescribed by a vet for motion sickness. Owning to high anxiety levels in pets whilst travelling, it's always good to take frequent pet breaks during long drives. 

5. Keep Them Hydrated

Pets get dehydrated whilst travelling, therefore, carrying a pet travel water bowl or water bottle is advisable. Place it in your pet’s crate so that they are never running out of water. Another wise thing to do is feed them wet food, which will help hydrate the pets.

6. Book Pet-Friendly Accommodations

Many hotels, resorts and vacation rentals have dog-friendly policies, but in some places, dogs aren’t allowed. Before you book your stay, make sure your Pet Buddy is welcome in a dog-friendly environment.

7. Stay on Leash

New places can be exciting and distracting for dogs, even those who can be trusted to roam off-leash at home. Keep your dog on a leash while you’re travelling to make sure they stay by your side. Restraining a dog in a car may provide several safety benefits for both the dog and the occupants of the car. The laws regarding the restraint of dogs in or on vehicles can vary between states/territories. We recommend that you check the Road Traffic Authority (or equivalent) Road rules.

8. Don’t Ever Leave Your Pet Unattended In the Car

Leaving your pet alone in the car can be the biggest disaster. Even if you are stepping out for a few minutes, pets tend to get a panic attack. The uneasiness caused by this will always last and they will never enjoy road trips. Also, weather conditions can worsen the effect. During summer, cars become furnaces and can give them heatstroke.