The holiday season brings with it a lot of happiness and festivities. It also entails gathering the family for some travel, either by plane or the road. This period is one of the busiest travel seasons, and even though it might sound complicated, it can be the ideal time to bring your pet along so they can join all the holiday activities. Many families want to include their dog or cat in their vacation plans, and fortunately, there are ways to make holiday travel safer and less stressful for you and your pets.
Remember your pets depend on you entirely, so make sure to make as much effort as you can to keep your pets content and stress-free, whether that means taking them with you on vacation, or leaving them in the care of a responsible person at home. Every pet is different, so you should find what works best for your pet, since many animals find changes in their routine, environment, and travel upsetting. With that in mind, if you're considering taking your dog or cat on your upcoming trip for the holidays, take a look at these useful travel tips.
It's crucial to maintain your pet's routine as much as possible when you’re traveling together. Remember what they are used to doing at home and make sure to follow that schedule. Your travel location won't seem as unusual to your pet if they can go about their everyday business while out of their usual setting.
Even though the ideal location for all of your pet's toys is in their proper crate, you should make the effort to bring them with you when traveling. Pets can feel more at ease when they arrive at an unknown location if they bring their favorite items from home.
One of the best things you can do for your pet when traveling is to keep them as close to their regular diet as you can. To reduce the chance of allergies, diarrhea, and other health issues, avoid offering your pet new foods or human food while you're traveling.
Both people and pets frequently experience anxiety while traveling. Allowing your pet to explore the surroundings will help reduce any anxiety they may be experiencing in a strange environment.
Being patient is one of the most essential holiday travel tips to remember. Recognize that your pet will be apprehensive on these journeys. Allow your pet time to explore and adjust to their new surroundings, so they may enjoy the rest of their stay with the entire family.
Learn about your vacation destination and accommodations before you book. Make sure your place of residence has secure fencing, and look for dog-friendly locations like beaches, parks, and walking trails.
It’s vital to take your pet for a check before you drive away or hop on a plane! At least a month before your trip, visit your veterinarian at Onalaska Animal Hospital. Ask to check the status of your pet's vaccines, flea and worm treatments, and any medications they may need. Your pet should be microchipped and wear a collar with an identification tag that has your name, vacation address, and contact information so that if they get lost, you can be reunited as soon as possible.
Extended trips require plenty of planning ahead of time when you’re going to be traveling with your pet. There is a lot of information to keep in mind, especially if your pet is not used to traveling. However, if you pay attention to your pet's requirements and take the time to do some proper planning, you may set yourself and your pet up for success throughout your vacation. With enough preparation and forethought, your pet will be able to travel safely with you and join in on the fun holiday activities!
