As life starts returning to some sort of normal, you may be dreaming of holidays and trips. If you are lucky enough to share your life with a man’s best friend, you may be wondering what the rules are when traveling with pets and how to take them along with you safely.
Cars
Driving is the easiest way to travel with pets, especially if your dog is familiar with getting in and out of a car. Always make sure you secure your dog when driving. In many countries, it’s illegal to travel with dogs that aren’t securely fastened, and it’s a much safer option for your dog. There are various styles of dog-friendly seat belts designed for different sizes and breeds. Search online to compare prices and styles.
You can purchase travel sickness pills that you administer before the trip for dogs who get motion sickness. They will help the inner ear and keep them calm for the journey. Ensure they have a comfortable blanket to sleep on or are safe in their crate.
If, for any reason, your dog gets ill during the trip, you can locate an easy vet clinic to get them checked out. Anything that changes a routine can cause stress in your dog and sometimes lead to illness; always check them out of you notice unusual symptoms when you’re on the road.
Trains
If you plan to take your dog on public transport and leave the country, there are several factors to remember.
Firstly, you should purchase a pet passport. A passport will have all information required to take your pet out of the country, such as vaccinations, microchips, and insurance details. Pet passports can be issued within 24 hours, but you must ensure vaccinations are up to date and arranged at least a month before traveling. Pets can’t leave the county until 21 days after inoculations.
You should investigate the rules on the specific trains you wish to use. Each company will have different regulations regarding animal passengers, and you will need to book in advance. You will likely pay an extra fee for traveling with dogs.
Planes
You must think carefully about whether you should take your dog on a plane. If you are moving abroad, it may be unavoidable, but plane travel carries several risks for dogs.
If you have a small dog, many airlines will allow you to take them in the cabin with you, but you must let them know in advance as there are pet limits on most flights. If you have a large dog, they will need to travel in the plane’s cargo area. This poses a risk to dogs as temperatures are high, and some dogs die each year due to poor ventilation. Only allow your dog to travel this way if it is unavoidable.
If traveling by plane, don’t feed your dog for 4-6 hours beforehand and only a tiny amount of water.
Always make sure you attach your details to the pet carrier in an emergency, including name, address, flight numbers, etc.
Traveling with pets is undoubtedly a challenge, but the trip can be smooth and hassle-free with proper planning.