Taking your pet on a road trip can be a fun and enriching experience. But with travel comes the added responsibility of ensuring everyone’s safety on board, including your pet. As pet-owners, it is critical to ensure our pets’ safety while on the road.
Here are some tips to keep your pet safe while driving.
Restrain Your Pet During the Ride
It is crucial to restrain your pet while you are driving. A pet moving around in the car is not only inconvenient, but it is also hazardous while your hands are on the wheel. When driving, you must have no distractions, so ensure that your pet is well-tucked in place while on the road.
The safest way to restrict your pet’s movement is to put them in a carrier that can be strapped on the car seat with a seatbelt. When using a carrier, make sure that it is spacious enough for your pet to stand up, lie down, and turn around. While some people recommend seat belts, they can be a little challenging to work with, so go with what you feel comfortable with.
Take Short Trips With Your Pets to Accustom Them to the Car
Animals can get a little overwhelmed when travelling in a car, especially when your pet is riding a car for the first time. So, before you embark on a long journey, it is good to accustom them to car rides by taking short trips with them. For instance, you could drive your pet to the park or around your block. Make sure to gradually increase the length of the trips, so you are better prepared to travel long distances with your furry friend.
Feed Them a Few Hours Before Travelling
A light meal always helps pets stay energized. Feeding your furry friend a few hours before you start a journey helps them feel satisfied and prevents any chances of them getting car sickness.
Remember that feeding your pet in a moving vehicle is a bad idea because it can lead to motion sickness. For longer distances, be sure to provide your pet food and water at rest stops; if possible, take them out for a short walk.
Pack a Travel Safety Kit
A pet travel kit always comes in handy while you’re on the road with your dog or cat. Make sure that the kit includes your pet’s health records, proof of immunizations, and more. It also makes sense to have your pet’s food, water, and bowls in the kit.
You could also pack extra waste bags and your pet’s favourite toys to keep them entertained during the journey. Do not forget the pet first aid kit and emergency medications.
Keep Their Head Inside
Pets, especially dogs, tend to get super excited while travelling and often stick their heads outside the car window. While you can let them have a little fun from time to time, we recommend you avoid it on long journeys.
Car accidents are always a risk, and the last thing you want to do is harm your pet. Aside from accidents, there is a risk of getting hit by passing debris. If you want your pets to have a little fun, let them stick their head outside during a slow drive around your neighbourhood.
Carry Your Pet’s Documents With You
Make sure to always pack your pet’s crucial documents with you, including their proof of vaccination, health certificate, and more. Every pet should have a microchip, a collar, and an ID tag for emergency purposes. Keep your pet’s vaccinations up-to-date before embarking on any long journey.
Consult a Vet in Stratford
It is also a good idea to have your pet thoroughly examined by a vet before starting a long journey. If you’re looking for a vet clinic in Stratford, Romeo Pet Hospital has you covered. Contact us now or head over to our clinic together with your pet.
