Hitting the Road With Your Pet




Post by M. Grade

Summer is here and that means it’s vacation season for many Americans. Some people find it very hard to leave their pets behind when going on vacation. So, it’s a good thing there are certain places that are pet friendly, which means you and your furry companion can travel together. Before making a spontaneous trip somewhere with your pet, though, there are a few things you should consider to maximize comfort and ensure safe traveling.
Hitting the Road!?
When people think about the needs of animals, food and water are the two main necessities that pop into mind. But when traveling for a short or even extended period, thinking outside of the box is necessary.
What to Bring
-Food (main diet, treats)
-Proper storage for food (air sealed/locking lid container)
-Water
-Bowls
-Medications
-Leashes
-List of local emergency hospitals or clinics
-Bedding
-Toys
 
*Paperwork- when crossing state lines with pets, it is required  you have an up to date certificate of health (this is an official government document) from your veterinarian, which ensures your pet is in overall good health. Here at Carolina Pets, Dr. Meyers, Dr. Forward, and Dr. Gilmartin are all certified to provide your pet with a Health Certificate (International or Domestic).
 
Pet Mentality and Comfort
Has your pet ever traveled before?
If the answer to this is no, then you should consider doing a few trial trips. This will help acclimate your pet to being in the car IF they are comfortable being in the car. Not all pets like being in the car and may require medication to help them relax. Here at Carolina Pets, we can assist with travel anxiety. Call us to talk about it.
Riding in the car can be extremely stressful for some animals and can be easily identified if you know what to look for. Some signs of anxiety in pets are:
-Pacing
-Hyper salivation (drooling)
-Whining
-Restlessness
-Panting
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Make sure that you let your pets use the bathroom before leaving! Accidents in the car can be a huge distraction and can cause unsafe situations for everyone (including pets) in the vehicle.
 
Pet Safety
 
You must ensure your pet’s safety when traveling. There are products that you can purchase to make the trip safer for everyone in the car.
-Pet Carriers                                                                                                            
-Cages
-Pet Seatbelts
-Car Barriers
 
All of these products keep pets in a certain area of the car that causes less distraction to the driver, and keeps the pet in a safe place in the vehicle. If the windows are down, make sure that your pet is SECURE in the vehicle with no possibilities of slipping/jumping out.  It may seem fun to ride with the windows wide open or your pet in your lap, but you’d be doing them a favor by making sure they are safe in the vehicle.
 
 
These are just a few things to consider before going on a trip with your pet. Many times people forget things their pet may need. It’s inconvenient to run to a store the moment you arrive. It pays to take a minute and make sure you’ve gotten everything you’ll need and plenty of it! If there is anything you are unsure of, call Carolina Pets Animal Hospital and we’ll help you out as best as we can. Safe travels!

 

Picture Sources:

Pet Zip line Seatbelt: www.tripswithpets.com

Packing Items: www.ruffwear.com

Dog in Lap: www.hubpages.com

 

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