Paws and Claws
Traveling in safety and comfort with your pets
by Cindy Anderson, DVM
Taking the time to prepare for your trip can relieve a lot of stress on your pets and yourself. Photo credit Ja San Miguel, Unsplash.com
For some families, a trip is no fun if the four-legged members of the family can’t come along. However, traveling can be highly stressful, both for you and your pets. If you’re planning to take a trip with pets, we have some tips to help ensure a safe and comfortable journey for everyone.
Taking the time to prepare for your journey can relieve a lot of stress on your pets and yourself. It’s a very good time to ensure each pet has a well-fitted collar, tags with names and phone numbers, or even better, a microchip.
A well-ventilated crate or carrier is a great way to keep pets safe while on road trips. Place it in a secure spot that will not allow for shifting or sliding in the event of an abrupt stop. If you opt to not use a crate, keeping pets in the back seat and secured with a harness attached to the belt buckle is a great option.
Taking a few familiar items (toys, treats, etc.) also will help your pets feel more comfortable and less homesick. Make sure you bring plenty of water to keep your pets hydrated, but avoid feeding them in the moving vehicle, as it could cause stomach upset.
The most important part of traveling by vehicle with your pets is making sure they’re not left unattended in the car, as it can get incredibly hot or cold in a few short minutes. Pay attention to the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Make sure your hotel or lodging is pet-friendly and bring your pets’ crates along and be sure they’re comfortable staying alone if needed.
In preparation you may want to have your pets seen by your veterinarian to get a clean bill of health, updated vaccines and a health certificates to carry with you. This also is a great time to discuss travel anxiety or any other travel concerns that you may have for your pets.
Dr. Cindy Anderson and the staff of Lakelands Trail Veterinary Clinic, 4525 S. M 52, Stockbridge, MI 49285; 517-655-5551; would be happy to assist you with any of your questions. Happy travels!
Cindy Anderson, DVM
Cindy Anderson, DVM, is a graduate of MSU Veterinary College (1992) and has practiced veterinary medicine for over 28 years.
